Bathtub Moment

Washing the children’s hair has always been Nate’s job.  I’m not sure how it worked out that way – I just got lucky, I guess.  So Nate piles into the big shower with all the kids, and they spend about twenty minutes washing hair and squirting each other with spray bottles and just generally having fun.

Until recently, when Aaron decided that having his hair washed is just one step above having his toe-nails ripped off one by one.  I have no idea what happened, but suddenly hair washing is off the table for him.  No way, no how.  Much screaming.  Much sobbing.  Shower time went from fun house to horror show for everyone involved.  Except for me, who relishes shower time as 20 minutes where I can sit uninterrupted in front of the TV or the computer and just be.

So after three or hour horrible showers, we decided that Aaron would just have to wash his hair in the bath for awhile until he gets over this period.  That means me.  Great.  So last night, amid much crying and screaming, I plopped Aaron into the bathtub.  I got him to lean back onto my arm, put a wrung-out washcloth over his eyes, and started dumping cups of water over his hair as he was lying back.  All of a sudden, he stopped crying and struggling, sighed, and a huge grin broke out on his face.

“Aaaaaahhhhhhh.  This is so relaaaaaxing.  This feels sooooo gooooood.”

Well, there go the showers.  Looks like I’m on bath duty for the duration.

Baseball Wrap-Up

Another baseball season has come and gone, and this one has been particularly nice.  This year Jacob decided he wanted to play Farm League again.  They don’t keep score, there is a lot less pressure – it’s more about learning the skills and having fun playing.  He just barely made the upper age cut-off (by a matter of days!), so he was by far the oldest kid.  His team came together really well, and he made HUGE leaps in skills.  He got several hits every game, his throwing and catching improved by leaps and bounds.  He was excited for every game and happy to be there.

Lydia also played this year in the Coaches Pitch league.  There are no strikes or balls, nobody gets out.  Every kid gets a turn at bat while the other team fans out in the infield, and there are as many pitches as necessary for the kid to hit the ball and get to run around the bases.  She had so much fun, and was so proud to hit the ball!  Her catching and throwing are awesome for her age and size – I think we have a softball star on our hands!

We signed Aaron up for T-ball this year.  He just barely made the age cut-off on the other end, and was by far the youngest and smallest kid there.  He had absolutely no interest at all in being there.  He just hung onto my leg and refused to participate.  Maybe next year.  Here he is enjoying Lydia’s last game yesterday – at least he’s a good cheerleader!