Manny who?

We just came from Jack's game today - The Dodgers had a slow start but took the lead near the end and won, 5 - 4.  This puts them solidly in the first place (okay, out of four teams) of the double A league.  Jack pitched the last three innings and did a great job, he and his team held them and didn't even need their home team last turn at batting.  And for the second week in a row, Jack brought home one of the game balls.  

The game ball is a ball signed by all the coaches and inscribed with the date, then given to the one player who performed in such a manner during the game that it really made a game-changing difference.  Some games no game balls are given out, sometimes only one, and sometimes two.

Last week Jack pitched four out of the five innings, struck out player after player, and helped his team win in a shut out, final score 15 - 0.  One game ball was given out that game and it went to Jack.  

Today there were two game balls given out, one to the player who batted in the tie-breaking run, and one to Jack for his turn around pitching.  We are so proud of him and his whole team, they always play with passion, integrity, and a real sense of teamwork.  Way to go Dodgers! 

Here he is just after getting home from the game today, sweaty, tired and happy, with both his game balls from his coaches.

Last week also marked the final game of Harriet's spring soccer team:

Here she is with her team Starburst - 

she has really enjoyed this past season with this team and with this coach, 

and feels that she has learned a lot. 

personalized snack on the final game day 

Great job Harriet! 

Here are some photos from last week's Dodger blowout:

Jack returning to the mound, keeping a close eye on that third base runner

Leading his team in a winning cheer

with his awesome coaches and the game ball

(clutched tightly in his hands)

Now that soccer season is finished until fall, Harriet was ready to tackle a rite of passage for young girls - getting her ears pierced.  Earrings are not allowed to be worn in soccer games, and since new piercings need to stay in for six weeks, she had decided that at the end of this season she would be ready to take the plunge. 

So yesterday after school we went down to the mall to Claire's for "Free" ear piercing! 

Harriet picked out a pair of rose colored studs, and was ready to go.

We were really pleased with Claire's, they had a teddy bear standing by

that Harriet could hold on tightly to, and were able to do both piercings

at once, which is something I wish they had had when I first went through it! 

Happy that its over, happy with the results

Our sweet California girl 

We also had some less than happy news from the Halls, who returned home after their two day, 17-hour plus flights from Provo to find that some unbelievable cretins had broken into their house and cleaned them out of their major electronics, DVD collection, jewelry and irreplaceable sense of security and safe haven in their own home.  We are all beyond hurt and cranky about this, but I do think that Sue expressed it the best for all of us - you can check out her virtual tongue lashing here.  

We're thinking of you Halls.