Keep Out

Last night James posted this sign on his bedroom door:

Night at the Ballpark

During the summer James likes to watch his brother-in-law Mark and Mark's team, McCuen's Pub, play fast-pitch softball. He cheers for the team and quotes lines from "The Sandlot". James particularly enjoys the concession stand. Last night he reviewed the menu and loudly announced, "Bud Light is bad. Hot dogs make you fat." I had warned James that we may have to leave the game early if it started to rain. James said, "We are not leaving early!"

James watching Mark warm up.

Mark pitching.



Drop and Give Me Twenty

James tested out a bad word at speed and agility training yesterday. His coach was not impressed so he ordered James to do the unthinkable...push ups. James tried to get out of his punishment with numerous apologies, but they all landed on deaf ears. I don't think James will be using that word again anytime soon. 

Do You Validate?

James videotapes his favorite movie clips off of YouTube onto his IPod, including the scene below from "Tommy Boy". He watches these clips over, and over, and over again. On Monday night James had a swim meet at Roosevelt High School. When he was handed his lane assignment, he asked the Roosevelt helper, "Do you validate?" as if the lane assignment was a parking ticket. I wasn't too surprised to find the quote at the end of this movie clip. 



Summertime

The last month has been very busy for James as he transitioned into summer and started his summer activities. During the week he has swim practice every morning and speed and agility training. Last week in speed and agility he had to run around the track. Each time he passed his coach he asked, "Am I going to die?"

Over Memorial Day weekend we took James along to visit our grandpa's grave. Our mom explained to him that this was a place where we celebrate our grandpa's life, but our grandpa would not be there. When we got to the headstone, James stood next to it and gave a speech that went something like this, "World War I. Jerry went to heaven to live with Jesus. World War II. God Bless." Recently, our dad found James talking to the moon. James said he was talking to Grandpa Jerry in heaven.

James has spent a lot of time with his niece, Evelyn, this summer. He has discovered that the key to surviving the infant stage is a good set of earplugs because no amount of shushing will make her be quiet.