I blame The Truck

I thought the garage stunk last night, but didn't think too much more about it. Opened the garage doors this morning to air it out, moved The Truck so I could get the mower & Hello dead rat!!! (yes, I squealled like a girl! and yes, my 2 boys had to take care of it for their wimpy mother--why couldn't I have discovered this an hour & a half ago when the Bug Zero guy was here getting rid of the wasp nest???) It was DIRECTLY under the motor of the truck - the same motor of the same truck in which field mice have already taken up residence once before this year. I think I might ban the truck from my garage. Ick!!!!!!!!!!! And we all know how much I love little rodents, lizards, and frogs - dead or alive.

Got Glaus

Finally got Troy Glaus' autograph. He tried to get him to sign cards for Cody, Sam & Luke but he was only doing one per person. By the time we did White Water, got to the game early, & got the autograph Ty was so exhausted he almost didn't even care he got it.
We had perfect weather for White Water today, warm but not overly hot & mostly cloudy so no sunburns!!! They did so much swimming in the lazy river and jumping waves in the wave pool that they were worn out. Ty did a couple of rides with Gracie, but Cody's favorite was the Wave Pool - he was smiling so mig & laughing so much that he occassionally burped up some swallowed water.
Gracie is going to the Cardinals - Dodgers game tomorrow night & Ty told her she had to Boo Manny Ramirez because of his steroids & then was so excited tonight that Ramirez striking out was the 3rd out in the top of the 9th to win the game for the Cardinals. He tried to stay up to see the Cubs/Astros outcome to see if StL could take back 1st place, but was too exhausted. (I might not make it myself - they're still tied in the 12th inning)
It's a full 5 minutes, but the YouTube that's captured the country is worth it - nice to see a positive, fun, joyful video being the main topic of conversation instead of the usual doom & gloom topics. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Farmer Ty

Here's today's crop of tomatoes. From the looks of the vines after today's rain this will probably be the smallest daily crop this week - we left 4 or 5 on there that just need one more day of sun. Going to go to Lowe's tomorrow to get a few more of the 6' poles to tie up the out-of-control plants (actually 8--10' if they have them!) -- the boys are amazed & slightly confused that MOM is going to go to Lowe's.

Good Kids!!!

So proud of the boys! Today was the last day of basketball camp at church - Ty won the Big Dawg award for his group and Cody won the John Mark award for the camp. Ty calls it the 2nd place Christlike award (which Luke won) - it's for improvement, attitude & making the most of every opportunity.
Luke is spending the night, of course.
In Cardinal news.... Troy Glaus is rehabing in Springfield 4 games this weekend & David Freese will be here for at least Sat night. StL traded for Matt Holliday - in exchange for Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen, & Shane Peterson. (He met them in Philly & went 4 for 5, they won 8-1)

Thursday - Day 1

In less than one day I already had a lot of stuff to share....shocking, I know.
At basketball camp, Ty won a round of Knockout and Cody made it to the championship of another round, only to be defeated by Abbi Rankin.
MawMaw & Pa took them to Lambert's - Ty was apparently amazed by the concept of "all you can eat." Smart enough to restrain himself to a couple of chicken legs & 3 rolls, but absolutely amazed that you could just sit there & keep eating.
The Force played a good game against the Pirates (found out towards the end of the game how good they really are - the coach asked me how old the little kids were & complimented what "a good little team they are" Their team had only lost 1 game through all of Spring & Summer league, and won the Coach Pitch 7 City Tournament) Our kids overall did pretty well - they're just not used to bomb pop flyings kareening towards them from high in the sky, or line drives that don't slow down as they come to you - Bo took a couple hard ones off the chest in trying to get them but held tough. The kids hit pretty well & hustled - it will be a good learning experience for them - just wish Coach Brian was here to help them through it. Cody hit well & ran hard through 1st, and actually seemed to be paying attention & trying while he played catcher - even took his mask off & stood in front of the plate a couple of times during plays.