That's a Wrap on the Weekend

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Evan's baseball tournament was cancelled for yesterday and they just did a one-day tournament today.  Noah still had a football game yesterday.  It didn't rain yesterday, but everything was very wet.  Luckily the football field was in good shape.

Noah was a defensive force.  They would line him up 7 yards off the football and have him blitz.  The rule is you have to be 7 yards away from the line of scrimmage to blitz.  Three times, Noah pulled the flag of the running back just after they took the ball from the quarterback.  While he didn't sack the quarterback at all, he was constantly in the quarterback's face or causing him to have to throw while running leading to poor throws.  When Noah blitzed, the QB didn't complete one pass. Noah's team won easily.

Evan, Noah and I met Alex and Jake Ramati at the movies last night to see Venom.  Jake is Noah's friend from 6 Points.  We had a nice time.

Rachel went to a CBD oil event for influencers with Deborah.  Then she and Deborah got dinner.

This morning, Evan and I got up early to go play in the tournament.  Two weeks ago, Evan had hurt his arm while pitching.  He really hasn't thrown since then until Friday night.  After Friday night, he said it hurt again.  We iced it yesterday and gave him Advil.  This morning, to be proactive, I gave him Advil and had ice on his arm on the way to the games.  He thought he'd be able to go, but during warm ups, he realized he couldn't throw.  He batted in both games, but he couldn't be in the field.  In the first game, he was the one calling the pitches by sending the signs into the catcher.  They won the first game in a shut out.  Evan took some credit for calling a good game.  In the second game, Evan was quite loud directing the kids where to stand or telling them when/where to throw.  He looked like a coach in the dugout.  It was pretty funny to see.

We brought his teammate Josiah back from the game and met his dad at Raising Cane's.  Evan got lunch there.

The boys both played outside with the neighborhood kids.  It was the first nice day we've had in a while.

For dinner, the boys didn't want to go out so we left them at home and both Rachel and I ate at Madam Mam's.

The boys are getting ready for bed now.

Until next time...

Quick Trip + Sushi

Yesterday Morry and Evan went to Mansfield, outside of Dallas for a baseball tournament.

Last night, since it was just Noah and me, I asked Noah what he wanted for dinner.  He said he wanted sushi, so we tried a revolving sushi restaurant.  We had a nice time.  Look below for the video.  After dinner, we went to the bookstore next door.  It was a Japanese bookstore that had gifts and books with an Asian theme, but also American and English products as well.

This morning Noah had an 8am football game and had to be there at 7:30.  He and his team played well. They won 28-6.

There had been a lot of rain in the Dallas area and this morning, they canceled the baseball tournament.

Morry and Evan ate breakfast with the team and then drove back to Austin.  2 other boys rode in the car with them and came back to our house.  Then, 2 more boys were dropped off here as well.

The last kid was picked up a little after 7pm.

We ate dinner at Panera.

Now the boys are playing some video games.

Evan's Birthday and Rain

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

On Thursday, we celebrated Evan's 12th birthday.  For the first time since he went to school, Rachel and I couldn't meet him for lunch.  I think parents are allowed to meet their kids for lunch, but I think it would be weird for us to go into the school with a 6th grader.  After school, we drove up to Round Rock to see the Express play.  Grandma came with us and Papa met us there.  Both boys had a good time but Evan especially.  His former coach, Oscar, who now works for the Express got his name on the board for the birthday list.  Evan was able to get 3 baseballs.  And the boys got on the jumbotron 4 times.

Yesterday was an uneventful day.  Evan had practice at night for baseball.  I took him to practice.  Noah had football practice at the same time.  Rachel was able to take him.  We had Torchy's for dinner.

This morning, Evan had an 8am game in Pflugerville.  I woke up at 5:40 to take him.  I got things ready, got his water ready and woke him up.  Just before we were going to leave and I saw that the day was cancelled.  Apparently there were thunderstorms overnight that I slept through.  Evan still wanted to get donuts so we did.  Then we came home and went back to sleep.

Noah had a 1pm football game.  The cold front that came through overnight brought the temperatures down to 40 degrees.  It was a cold and miserable day to be out watching Noah play.  Rachel stayed in the car for most of it.  We did bring Chewie.  Noah played well considering the temperatures.  He had several sacks.  Any time the other team tried to throw, Noah was making it difficult on the quarterback.  His team lost, unfortunately.

We drove the van to the game and it warned us that the battery was going.  When we got home, Rachel took the van back out and got it replace.  The boys and I stayed home and watched a movie.

For dinner, we brought Me Con Bistro home.  Then we watched Timeless.

The boys are going to bed.

Until next time...

The Belkin Athletes

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

Rachel left early this morning to get to the final day of her conference.  Evan was staying over Cooper's so I didn't have to leave as early to get him to his games.  I tried to sleep in some but Chewie and the cats made it somewhat difficult.

When I did get up, I made breakfast for Noah.  He got ready for his football game and I drove him to the fields.  I stayed with him until several of his teammates came.  Then I drove up to Round Rock to get to Evan's first game so I could score it.  Noah is playing up.  He wanted to play with his coach from last year who is coaching a 5th/6th grade team.  We got permission so Noah could play with the older kids.  So Noah told me, he had a big run where he almost scored a touchdown.  He caught two passes and he pulled two flags.  Before the game I told him he didn't have any pressure.  If he didn't play well then it probably because he was playing against older kids.  If he did do well, then people would be impressed that a 4th grader was doing so well.  It sounds like it was the latter.  Rachel and I are really proud of him.

Papa came to pick Noah up and they got Chewie and spent the afternoon with Papa at their house until Rachel's conference was over.

In Evan's first game, he started at third base.  He played well there.  He popped up in his first at bat, and walked in his second at bat.  In his third at bat he crushed a ball that was just foul.  He and I both jumped up when he hit it.  One of the father's was laughing because apparently we were both reacting the same way just feet from each other.  He grounded to third with the infield in and they threw the runner going home out.  But Evan stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and the scored on another wild pitch that didn't go far but Evan was being aggressive.  It turned out to be the winning run.  In the bottom of that inning, Evan made a good play to catch a foul pop up while playing catcher.  And the final out was a great play by a boy named Owen on the team.  It capped a big comeback after being down 7-1 after the 3rd inning.

We went to Popeye's for lunch and a few families joined us.

In the second game, Evan started at third.  Moved to first in the second inning, but after the first two batters walked, Evan came in to pitch.  He gave up a hit that scored those two runners but didn't allow another run.  He ended up pitching 4 innings with 4 strikeouts and gave up 4 hits and just one run.  Through 3 innings of pitching, he had only thrown 33 pitches.  The team ended up tying but we had a chance to win. There was 8 minutes left in the game with Evan's team leading, if that half inning had taken up more than the 8 minutes without giving up a run, then they would have won.  Instead, Evan got out of the inning in 2.5 minutes.  He had a big double and scored what could have been the winning run again.  He looked quite good pitching and playing.

Rachel had a great time at her conference.  She met a bunch of really good, big, experienced bloggers.  Today's speaker was Amy Robach from Good Morning America.  Rachel actually got to meet her and talk to her for awhile. 

When we got home, we ordered food from Madam Mam's.  We had it delivered.

The boys are getting ready for bed now.

Until next time...

Super Bowl Sunday + Monday

Yesterday, we took it easy in the morning.   I took Chewie for a walk.

I left for tutoring around 12:45. 

Evan had a football game, so Morry, Noah, and Evan left the house around 1:30 to get there for the practice before the game.

When I got home from tutoring, I rode with Grandma and Papa to Evan's game.

Evan's team lost their first game of the season.

Later in the day, Morry, Evan, and Noah went to a Super Bowl party at Evan's friend, Reid's house.

I stayed home and went to eat dinner at Maudie's with Grandma and Papa.

Today, we walked Chewie to school.

Morry and I were both gone today, so Chewie was in the crate for a few hours.

I got home a little bit before it was time to get Noah.

Morry got home a few minutes after I did and then we walked to pick up Noah from school. 

Evan went to Grandma's house today for dinner.

For dinner Morry and I had sandwiches and Noah had a waffle.

Then, we walked to pick up Evan from Grandma and Papa's.

Now the boys are in bed.

Half Marathon and Football Game

This morning I left the house at 6:15am for the 3M Half Marathon.  This is my third year in a row.

I finished in 2 hours and 23 minutes. It was a little slower than last year, but I'm still recovering from my ankle sprain and the weather was very gross. It was around 60 degrees, very humid, and sprinkling some.  I'm glad to have finished.  I wasn't sure I was going to be able to finish it. 

Deborah met me along the course and ended up running the last 5-6 miles with me.

Morry, the boys, and Grandma and Papa met me at the finish line. 

Then, we went to First Watch for lunch.

Evan had a football game this afternoon.  He was not happy about the way his team played, but they still won. The score was 2-0.

From there, the kids went to Sunday School.

With Grandma and Papa we picked up the kids from Sunday School and then had dinner at Tarbouch.

Now the kids should be getting ready for bed.  It's been a long day for all of us.

Here are a few pictures.

Very Very Happy Lizzy

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

They built a new parking place out by the airport called Bark & Zoom.  Actually, they built two out by the airport.  The other one - the original one - is called Park & Zoom.  The first one is your standard long-term airport parking.  The new one is both parking and a pet boarding.  Today was their opening day festivities and as a blogger, Rachel was invited.  It went from 10am - 2pm.  We went out there and took Lizzy.

We got there as they were opening.  Because we were one of the first before it got busy, they gave us a tour of the facility.  When you board your dog, you have the option of a private "room" for the dog with a bed and a tv.  I'm not making this up.  See the picture below.  It's $85/night for that option. The have rooms without beds and televisions, and then they have the standard kennels.  They will groom your pet while they are there.  They had outdoor stuff built for the dogs to have fun including a small pool.

Lizzy seemed very hesitant to get in the car on the way over there.  And then when we went out to the area with the pool, she seemed hesitant at first.  But once she got in the water and was in it for a bit, she suddenly got really hyper.  She came out of the pool and was literally running in a full gallop around the area.  It was as if she was a puppy again.  The boys thought that was so funny.  The only thing I can figure is that the water felt good on her joints.  She'd go in the pool and the bark at us to throw the tennis ball to her.  Every time she'd bark, she'd cause all the other dogs to bark.  I think she enjoyed being a puppy again.

After that, we dropped Evan off with Reid and his family.  They were taking him to Evan's practice.  Then we drove to Noah's football game.  Lizzy came with us to the game.  Grandma and Papa met us there.  Lizzy got some attention at the game.

The game was very competitive.  It came down to the final minute when Noah's team couldn't quite score.  Noah had a decent game.  In crunch time he had a really important flag pull.

After that we came home.  I was only home for a minute before I had to go get Evan.  Evan wanted Reid to come home with us.  They played in the backyard for most of the time.

We dropped Reid off and then went to Me Con Bistro for dinner.  After that we went to HEB and did our grocery shopping.

The boys are in bed.

Until next time...

Football and Baseball

This morning Noah had a football game at 11am.  Grandma and Papa met us there.  Noah played well.

We relaxed at home for a little bit and then Evan had his first baseball game at 4:45 in Taylor.  He rode with Reed there.  Morry and I went separately.  Noah and I rode with Grandma and Papa.

Evan played well, but the team lost the first game.

Grandma, Papa, Noah and I left after the first game and met Aunt Susan for dinner at Mellow Mushroom.

Evan's team won the second game at 6:30.  After that Morry and Evan ate at Popeye's for dinner.

Now the boys are in bed.

Here are some pictures from today.

Full Day

This morning Noah had a football game at 11.  We needed to get there at 10:30.  About halfway there we realized we left his football bag at home that included is flag belt and mouthguard.  He cannot play without those.  We decided to keep going to the field to drop Noah off and then either go home or somewhere to purchase the needed items.

Morry dropped Noah and me off at the field.  I was able to get a belt for him for free from the organization's booth. They normally sell mouthguards but were all sold out.  I guess we weren't the only ones that needed a new one today.  

Meanwhile, Morry and Evan stopped at CVS, but were unsuccessful.  Though they did think they saw Vince Young there.  They went over to Academy, bought a mouth guard, and headed back to the field.

Evan ran through the field to give Noah his mouthguard and got it to him just as the game was starting.

Noah played well and his team actually won their first game of the season.

From there, we ate lunch at Denny's.  I had a free gift card from a review I had done.

Then, we dropped Evan off at Altitude (indoor trampoline park) for a baseball team building event.

We were home for about an hour and then Morry went back out to pick up Evan.

They got home and then we left for a party of a friend of mine.   They had a family friendly party at her house for her 50th birthday.

We had a nice time.   They live in Rim Rock and have 1-2 acres or so.  There were other kids there and the boys had fun running around their yard playing various games.

Now the boys are getting ready for bed.

Here are some pictures from today.

Another Day of Sports

This morning Morry, Evan, and Reid left the house around 6am.  They stopped for donuts and had to be at the field at 7am.

Papa, Noah, and I got there for the second game.  We left before the game was over so that we could get Noah to his football game.

 Evan's team won their first game and lost the second.

I dropped off Noah and Papa at the football field to find parking.

Morry and Evan came towards the end of Noah's game.  Noah's team lost, but Noah seemed to have a good time.

We took it easy this afternoon.

We went with Papa to dinner at Dong Nai.

I made frozen yogurt yesterday and the kids had it for dessert.

Now the boys are getting ready for bed.

Evan has a game at 8am tomorrow and will have to be there at 7:15.


Here are pictures from today and yesterday.

Winners

This morning the kids watched the Middle School movie we rented for them from Redbox.

I went for a run.

We all left the house around 12:15.  I dropped off Evan at Applebee's for his ride to his baseball scrimmage game.

Morry took Noah to his football tournament.

Then, I met Morry and Noah at the game.

Noah had a game scheduled for 1:00 and if they won, they would play in the championship game at 3pm.  Noah's team won, so we waited around for the second game.  Noah's team won that game too and were the winners of the lower division teams.  Noah played very well.

From there, we went to the end of Owen's birthday party at the bowling alley.  We arrived just in time for pizza and cupcakes.  Noah spend about 45 minutes with his buddies and then we went home.

For dinner we had a frozen Asian meal and egg drop soup.

Now the boys are getting ready for bed.

Season Kicks Off

Hello everyone, this is Morry.

The baseball season kicked off this weekend with Evan's first tournament.  I know that there has been snow all over the country, but here in Austin it was around 80 degrees the last two days.  Evan's first game was not scheduled to start until 4:45 yesterday, so we had a very easy morning/early afternoon.  Rachel and I took a walk and then had lunch.  Evan and I took Noah to his football practice.  Noah scored a touchdown on a big run at his practice.  From there, Evan and I left to go to the tournament.

Evan played right field and then later came in to pitch in the first game.  He didn't get a whole lot of opportunity in right field.  When he pitched he did well.  He had some bad luck and bad defense, but overall, I thought he looked good.  He's a bulldog when he pitches so he doesn't let that stuff bother him.  He gives it his all every time.  The team lost the game, unfortunately.

Rachel and Noah came out for the second game.  Evan caught in that game.  He did well catching.  He becomes a leader when he puts the catcher's mask on.  It's fun to watch.

At the plate, he walked once, struck out and grounded out twice.  The team lost both games so we had to be back at the fields this morning at 8am.

In the first game, Evan caught again.  He came close to throwing the first runner of the game out at second.  It was so close that the other coach stopped having the kids steal on Evan.  We know that coach, but the coach didn't realize it was Evan behind the plate until later.  He came to me later and told me that was his fastest kid that Evan almost threw out.   Evan also had two hits, including a bit two out hit that kept an inning alive and led to the team winning the game.

We came home and brought Evan's friend on the team, Ayden with us.  Their next game was not until 3pm.

Evan, Ayden and Noah all played together and made bottle flipping videos.  I made them waffles and eggs for lunch.

After lunch, I took Evan and Ayden back to the field.  Rachel took Noah to his football game.

Noah's team won the football game.  Noah said he caught a pass and had a short run.  He also pulled at least one flag.  Noah said he had a good time.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to see the game.  I'll get to see Noah's game next weekend.

In Evan's baseball game, he was back out in right field.  In the bottom of the first a big left handed kid skied a ball to deep right.  Evan tracked it well and settled underneath.  He casually put his glove up to catch it and then dropped it.  It rolled to the wall.  Meanwhile, the boy tried to stretch that hit into a double.  Evan picked up the ball off the wall and threw a perfect strike to second base to get the kid out for the third out.  Evan literally jumped in the air, screamed and pumped his fist.  He raced in while the coach was cheering for Evan.

One inning later, with two outs, a boy crushed a ball to right center which bounced off the wall.  Evan bare handed it off the wall, turned and threw directly to second again - and again getting the runner out.  Evan reacted the same way except he held up two fingers and yelled "Two!!"

In the top of the third, Evan came up to bat.  The boy who Evan got out in the first was pitching and had a perfect game.  The first pitch almost hit Evan.  He jumped out of the way.  The next pitch hit him in the leg.  Evan got knocked to the ground but got up and ran to first.  Unfortunately the pitcher, who was left handed, was able to pick Evan off at first base.

TRPD ended up losing but Evan seemed happy with his performance this weekend.

For dinner we had leftovers.

The boys are in bed.  Until next time...

Date Night and Super Bowl

Yesterday Morry had a meeting in the morning and Noah spent most of the day with Jude.

Evan and I went to the Farmer's Market.  We bought a cinnamon roll (which he ate most of) and a sourdough baguette.

From there I drove Evan to his baseball team's kickball game in Lakeway.

When I got home Morry was home.

Morry then went to pick up Evan.

We dropped the boys off at Grandma and Papa's house around 5:30pm. The boys would be spending the night there.

Morry and I put on our thrift store clothes and went downtown.

First, we ate dinner at Phoenician Resto.  Then, we walked around Rainey Street some.  Finally, we got dessert at tiny pies.

Today, Morry and I took a walk and then picked up the boys from Grandma and Papa's house.  They had a good time.

We were home for just a little bit and then Morry took the boys to Noah's football game.

I was making cookies for the Super Bowl party so I came to the game a little bit later.

Noah had fun at football, but his team lost.

We came home and then a little before 5pm went over to a Super Bowl party one of our friends was having.

There were a ton of boys there.  Morry and the kids seemed to have a good time.

We came home after the 3rd quarter of the game and they finished watching at home.

Now the boys are asleep and Morry is doing some work.

Here are some pictures.

Too bad these were not in our sizes at the thrift store.

Sunday and Monday

Yesterday I took Evan to camp info session and Morry and Noah went to Noah's football game.  Noah played well, but his team lost in overtime.

Evan seemed to really enjoy the camp presentation.  The kids who had gone were very excited and had only good things to say.

I exchanged phone numbers with a couple of other women there so we can hopefully get the kids together before camp.

Today, Morry and I went to Camp Gladiator in the morning.

Around lunch time I took the boys to Half Price Books and then got them lunch at Sonic.

I took Noah to his football practice and the coach asked if Evan would like to help out and play as well.  Of course he said yes.

Later, Morry took both boys to Evan's baseball lesson.

I picked up Grandma and Papa from the airport and then we all met at Texas Roadhouse for dinner. The food was good and the boys ate well.

Now the boys are getting ready for bed.

UT Game

This morning we left around noon to head out to the University of Texas football game.  Grandma and Papa took all of us as an early Hanukkah present.

After finding a parking spot in North Campus, we "tailgated" and ate our picnic lunch near the car.

Then, we walked to the stadium.   It was a bit chilly, but still a nice time.  Texas lost.

We picked up food from Me Con Bistro and ate dinner at Grandma and Papa's house.   Then, we had leftover desserts.

Here are some pictures from today.