Alabama + Graffiti

Our first Saturday since March without baseball had us sleeping in late and lounging around all morning.  I got a book finished, and then Sheff and I went outside to get in the pool.  After being outside all afternoon, I went inside to get ready for our early anniversary celebration.  I had decided to start saving money on my hair, so I tried out Madison Reed hair color for the first time ever – I absolutely loved it.  No paid plug or anything – I took the quiz for what I was looking for, how experienced I was coloring my own hair, and then a week later, it was at the house.  I matched with the color Napoli Brown, and I absolutely love the color.  I highly recommend checking them out if you’re in the market of doing your own hair color.

Sheff’s babysitter got to the house around 6, and we took off.  We went to Red and White – a cute little wine bar in the Forest Park area.  We picked out a bottle of wine and shared a cheese plate, and it was all so good.  We had no idea what all they had at that place, but really glad we checked it out, because we’ll definitely be back.  Then we headed to Helen for a super fancy anniversary dinner.  Since it was Anthony Bourdain day, we both tried something completely new to us: fish collars, and they were so good.  After dinner, I made B drive by Sloss Furnace so we could see the new light installation.  Then my most favorite thing of the night – we went to Publix, got a bottle of wine drove up to the old Tip Top Grill spot, sat in the tailgate and listened to music while we drank the wine straight from the bottle.  It felt so rom-com: it was perfect.

Sunday – we went over to a friend’s house so the kids could play in the sprinkler and the moms could have a few beverages and chat.  Then, grocery shopping, and honestly doing nothing else but slugging around the house.  I don’t much care about screen time anyway, but especially during the summer, while he’s at camp outside all day, and then playing outside and having soccer twice a week – I don’t mind him chilling on the weekend with his pad or watching shows.

Yes, Sheff is now playing soccer, too.  With the camp registration, you get one free summer sport – and since Sheff was too young for the 3×3 basketball, he chose soccer.  He’s got one of his good friends from camp on his team, and they are so sweet together – plus she’s really good.  They had their first game last night – Sheff scored two goals and seemed to pick up on how to play pretty quick.  The game ended in a 3-3 tie – but honestly, I don’t even think the kids cared.

Sheff got to play 3 out of the 4 quarters – and this was him and his bud Jackson taking a break in the 3rd.   I love getting to watch him play sports – he’s always so determined and he has energy for days.

We’ve got some plans for the Fourth, so looking forward to the long weekend and hopefully things at work slow down as the week goes on.  Hope y’all have had a good start to the week.

This Joy League season of baseball was the most fun season ever.  It was an amazing group of kids that were inclusive and supportive and determined – and don’t even get me started on the head coach.  He was amazing – so patient and knowledgeable, and the kids loved him.  He told Sheff that if he got into a competitive fall league, that he would do everything he could with Joy League to get him moved up to 3A with him.

Anyway, last Monday, the Yanks had their first playoff game.  They had moved it up from Thursday to Monday, and we were playing at the baseball field instead of the softball field where they normally play.  The kids looked a little frazzled during the first half inning, so coach pulled them all aside, told them to forget about the score and just go and have fun.  And wouldn’t you know, that half inning, Sheffield hit a home run.  A grand slam to be exact!  His very first home run just happened to be a grand slam.  The Yanks fans went crazy, and this mama did too.  That was just the boost the kids needed, and they ended up winning the playoff game, so it was off to the championship game for the Yanks!  Sheff got the game ball that night, too.

Since we’d had a pretty hot week, they moved the game up from 10am to 8am on Saturday.  The Yanks were ready!  By the end of the third inning, they were up to the point where the other team couldn’t come back (can only score 5 runs per inning), so coach moved all the kids around.  It was sweet to watch Sheff play first and some of the other kids get to play in the infield as well.  The 2A Yanks completed their perfect season by winning the championship.  The parents had gotten together to have a little party afterward – complete with doughnuts, trophies, and treat bags.  We, of course, had to get a picture of all the kids with their trophies and a picture with the head coach.

I’m really glad that Sheff got to be a part of this season – he made so many new friends, and got more confident in his baseball skills.  We are already looking forward to next season!

We’re only halfway to the  next weekend, so we’re making some progress on these weekend updates y’all!

Friday was super fun – we took a late late lunch and went to Back Forty for some cheeseburgers and purple hull pea hummus.  It was so delicious.  Back Forty is definitely my favorite place in the Ham for cheeseburgers, and in my opinion have the most family friendly atmosphere, with plenty of green space for the kids to run around, and trains passing by frequently.  After that, we checked out the new Ghost Train Brewing location, and it was so nice.  In addition to their beers, they also had a really nice cocktail menu, and a really cool outside space.  B was going out with some friends, so I took Sheff to his school’s field to practice some fielding.  He did so good, so of course he got some time playing on the playground after.  We made some oven pizza and settled in for Shrek Ever After.  We were sleepy, so it was off to bed for us pretty early.

Saturday, we got a bye week from baseball since Sheff’s team is the #1 seed.  We got up early and went to breakfast and then went to the batting cages.  Sheff loves it – we go to D-bat over in Homewood.  The slowest the balls can go is 37 mph, so it’s really cool to see Sheff get a piece of some of them.  After that, it was lounging outside and in the pool for the rest of the afternoon.  The Y had parents night out, so we dropped Sheff off, while we did our new date night tradition of sushi and The Casual Pint.  It was a really fun time, and Sheffield had a blast at the Y getting to do crafts and swimming.

Sunday was a nice lazy day – we did our mile walk down to the little free library at Sheff’s school to swap out some books.  Sheff did have a 90 minute baseball practice Sunday afternoon, since they moved the playoff game up to Monday, but after that, it was just a bunch of doing nothing.  I made some friendship bracelet bobby pins, and to say I’m in love with them is an understatement.  I love the boho look of them, and I can make them in any color combo I want.  Such a fun and relaxing little hobby.

We’ve got the championship baseball game on Saturday this weekend, and a party to celebrate the kids win or lose after.  No real big plans for Father’s Day – we’ll leave that up to B, but hopefully will be fun for him regardless.

(linking up with Steph and Jana for SUYB)

A Flicker in the Dark – Stacy Willingham ||  Whoa this book.  This one got my heart rate  up y’all.   Literally everyone is a suspect in this one, and my jaw fell to the floor so many times during this book.  This book was so well done, and kept me guessing until the very end.  I loved the suspense and all of the back stories that were woven into this one.  It was fun from start to finish.

Cultish – Amanda Montell ||  This book was so interesting.  I’ve always been intrigued by cults, but never really understood what could “qualify” as one.  The book mainly speaks of the importance of language when it comes to cults – and it delves from the serious ones, Heaven’s Gate, to things such as Soul Cycle diehards.  Definitely worth the read – my first non-fiction of the year.

The Therapist – B.A. Paris ||  I saw a lot of people that didn’t like this book, but it delivered for me.  I was hooked from the beginning, trying to figure out what had happened and what was going on.  It was the same as Paris books always are for me – quick and easy and good.

Notes on an Execution – Danya Kukafka || I really really loved this book.  It comes from the perspective of a prisoner on death row, and goes in the past to talk about his family and how he came to be where he is.  This one has stuck with me long after finishing it.

The School for Good Mothers – Jessamine Chan || Whoa.  Dystopian novels always make me have a way of going, what if this happens?  I think being a mother made this even tougher to swallow – however, completely relevant even if you’re not.  The simplest of motherly infractions could land you in this “school,” where you are trained to be a perfect mom.  Completely terrifying, but in a good way.  Read if dystopian novels are your thing.

No One Will Miss Her – Kat Rosenfield || I have to say that I did not see the twist in this book coming not even for a second.  It kept me hooked from the very first sentence, where you’re getting the story told from beyond the grave.  Two women play the main roles – one from the wrong side of the tracks, one a beautiful and rich Instagram influencer.  The story unfolds when one of them is murdered, and you’re left to figure out who and why.  A good little dark mystery.

 

Last Friday was a good day.  And even though it was a really long week (Bennett was traveling for work in Buffal0), Sheff and I made the most of it.  We had a pasta date night one night, baseball practice for 90 minutes Wednesday followed by Wendy’s, and then we Door Dashed some Mexican food on Thursday and crashed on the big comfy couch and watched Monsters University.  I was certainly glad to see Friday – getting the kid ready for camp is essentially another job – so we celebrated by going to the Summer Reading kick-off party at the Hoover Library.  They did such a good job – Sheffield loved it!  The theme was Oceans of Possibility – and they had a ton of stations for crafts and fun things to do.  I was really impressed – we’ll definitely be doing that for the next few summers.  After the event, we picked up a pizza and watched Bobs Burgers in bed.  I let him fall asleep in our bed that night, and it was so sweet.

Our Saturday started bright and early with a Yanks baseball game.  It was close, but they pulled it out and got the win.  They ended the season undefeated.  So it’s onto the playoffs for the team – and to be honest, I’m really sad that this team will be dismantled next year.  Kids moving up, changing leagues.  The moms decided to put together an end of season party after championship Saturday – no matter the outcome, because an undefeated season is nothing to sneeze at.  I’m so proud of Sheff and those kids.  Sheffield loves it – we’ve signed him up for a baseball camp that’s supposed to really work on his skills, so hopefully we can see a big improvement before signing up for fall ball.

We had friends over that afternoon to sit on the porch and just hang out.  We ordered pizza again for dinner, played name that tune, and made ice cream sundaes for the kids.

Sunday was spent getting the outside cleaned up and lounging around.  We had dinner outside, and called it an early night.

It was a good weekend.  We’ve got a bye weekend for baseball this weekend since the Yanks are the #1 seed – so maybe we can bust out the kayak and turn off the phones and enjoy a quiet weekend.  Here’s to hoping!!