It's Ball Season!

The sounds of spring...I know what you are thinking. I'm not talking of robins or raindrops. The sounds that say spring to me are the sounds of balls hitting mitts, clanging bats, and banging cleats, trying to remove the mud. We have entered ball season in this house.

We have a "Major" league player, which in this town, means that he has practice about 4 nights a week, plus the weekends. This continues until the season begins Easter weekend (I guess those that are on the board of the Little League see the sport as holy, to be beginning it that weekend). We have a first year fastpitch player, playing in the "Minor" league this year. She has yet to start her practices, but at least we have a coach's name and a team roster. We also have a player in the coach-pitch league. We are still awaiting his team information to come in.

I grew up playing softball, the sport that I love. I began in the fifth grade, and I began right away as a pitcher. With my dad as my coach, I'm not sure if he saw my potential as a pitcher, or he just put me there because of the lack of strength in my throwing arm. Even as an eleven year old, it took me some time to develop my throwing arm because, as we found out later, I didn't know with which arm to throw. I am, by most standards, right-handed. I write with my right hand, and I eat with my right hand. I started off the preseason that year throwing with my right hand. I remember catching with my dad in the back yard, and barely being able to get the ball to him across the yard. After numberous attempts, I believe he lost his patience with my"girly" throws and told me to take that glove off of my left hand and throw the ball. So I did. What I remember about his reaction was the fact that he didn't say anything for what seemed like minutes, but what was probably more like a second or two. What I remember him saying was, "Hmmm...so you're a left-hander." We had to get me a new glove, and I was ready for the season.

The softball field became a family affair for us. Dad was coach, mom cheered from her chair. My grandparents attended every game, even as we travelled in various tournaments. I remember grandpa carrying their two chairs, and I remember grandma keeping score with her little notepad she kept in her purse. These days, there seem to be so many parents who just do not enjoy sitting at these youth baseball or softball games for hours on end. But I just love it. I love the sounds of the ballfields. I love propping up the portable chair, lathering on the sunscreen, and screaming for my kids as they play. I love to find different flavors of sunflower seeds or rolls of bubble tape for them to enjoy in the dugout. I love to see them in full uniform - from hat to cleats. I love the dust from the field, hot dogs at the concession stand, and watching a sweet play on the field. Nothing speaks more to me of my childhood than the ballfield. And now I watch my children enjoy the same pasttime that I did. I enjoy having their grandparents come to watch their games, and their grandpa keeping the score.

It's the great American sport. It's a great family affair. And it's a great place to find me if you're looking for me.

Though I'll spend a lot of time in my van transporting my children to their practices and games, you won't hear me complain this season. If I could be in all three places a once, I would be at each field watching and cheering them on.

Miss Money Bags

Today was 'Gift Card Shopping' Day. I have accumulated a pile of gift cards in my purse that are my children's, mostly as gifts from Christmas. With Spring Break being this week in our town, with the weather still cold and damp today, it was a perfect day to get out of the house and into the stores. In theory...

Actually, it wasn't all that bad. We hit the mall first, to spend my daughter's card. The boys were very patient at first. Then they starting finding items in this girl's store that they wanted to buy. (I allowed everyone to bring a small amount of money, in my mind to cover any costs that weren't covered by the gift card. I now see that the kids thought they brought their money to spend, spend, spend). The items weren't "girly" - but candy items, junky things...NO. We moved on from there to the shoe store, where my son thought he could spend his money on $60 shoes...NO. On the way out of the mall, they begged me to stop in the Game Stop, where they searched the walls for games. No one had gift cards here, so of course, the answers were NO, NO, NO. Barnes & Noble is always a fun place to take the kids. My oldest had gift cards to use there. Amazingly, we got away with his books, a couple for me, and no whining or complaining from the others. Target was our last stop. The two youngest had gift cards for there. I think I spent more time telling the oldest NO, telling the middle NO and keeping her from whining, "When is it my turn to look around?", and telling the youngest NO, and to decide on something for the price of his card. Again, it all sounded good in theory.

Trying to teach my children the value of money (even in gift card form) is a difficult thing. I want them to enjoy using the card, while choosing something they will love and use, but at the same time being careful that they are not buying just to buy something. So it seems to turn into a "NO-fest." I explain that for the price of their card, they can get X amount of items, or one big something special. They can also wait to watch their beloved item go on sale so they can get what they want for the amount on the card. But that's like hearing the ice cream truck, running to get your money, and having it never come down your street. DISAPPOINTMENT!

Why is it that kids with money in their pockets feel that 'burn', or that need to use it up? They cannot stand to have money with them and NOT be able to spend it. If they even buy a candy bar, they are happy to have spent something. They would rather spend their money or card on something they sort of want, than to have to bring that money home and stash it back in their secret hiding places. It's just a matter of maturity levels for the most part. When they get to my maturity level, they may even forget they have gift cards to use (though I now have a special place in my wallet where I keep mine so I no longer forget).

After all was said and done, everyone came home with something. Lego's were being built, books were being read, new slippers were being worn, and I had time to enjoy a cup of tea. I still have more gift cards in my purse, as they weren't all used today. But that just gives me another chance to take a shopping trip and turn it into a teachable moment. Maybe I'll be able to give more YES answers!