The Wrap Up

Well the big day has finally arrived for both the future actress and the major leaguer.  It is Friday and the afternoon kicks off with a much anticipated second theatrical presentation.  As previously stated this play has a lot more action and singing with fewer lines.  Think in terms of ‘The Three Stooges’ and you will have a point of reference.

Granddaughter is playing the part of Alice Minion in ‘Minions’ Revenge’, an original presentation based upon the ‘Despicable Me’ movies.  The script, choreography and practice all happened in the space of four days with the presentation on the fifth day.  This camp was partially responsible for testing, putting into action, improvising and creating the characters during the week.

Again I had a hard time understanding the words (most of the actors are very young and have a high frequency voice which is hard on an old man) and the songs.  I did pick up on the fact that the Minions have a very limited vocabulary and the word “banana” is used a lot.  In fact, a real banana will set off frenzied activity to take the banana from each other.  I guess that explains why the minions are the color of a banana.  Here are a couple of pictures of the troupe in action.  Alice is the one with the big bow in her hair.

Alice Minion aka Kenzie

Opening Scene with 3 Minions

Exit Stage Left

Finale Dance Number

Again we were entertained by an energetic group of thespians.  The play and the costuming was the most outstanding accomplishment for the actors and there were a lot of proud parents and grandparents in attendance.

After leaving the theater performance, we headed to the ballpark in Sherman.  This is the regional tournament for the next to oldest grandson and our first chance to see him and his team in action on this trip.  This team is a 11 and under team which is made up of only 11 year olds. 

We have watched this group of young men play together as a team for several years now and develop into quite a baseball machine.  They have about 5 or 6 very capable pitchers, which is extremely unusual for this age group and out of a team of 10 players.  Defensively they are solid and not easily rattled when playing under pressure.  Example: An overthrow by the catcher to first base on a pickoff move to try and catch the runner being lazy looked like a disaster.  However, the right fielder was moving into position behind first base, picked up the overthrow and fired it to second base where the shortstop was covering and tagged out the runner as he tried to steal on the overthrow.  Not many major league teams accomplish this type of play, turning lemons into lemonade.

Anyway, we make it to the field and are pleasantly surprised to find the weather is once again cooperating.  We have partly cloudy skies with a gentle (for Northeast Texas) breeze that keeps it just right temperature wise to have a wonderful evening of baseball.  The grandson’s number is “1” and that is what he is tonight.  Playing catcher, he guns down a couple of steal attempts at second base, bats 100% with some very good hits into right center, has a couple of RBI’s along with scoring 3 or 4 runs himself.  We could not be prouder of him for an excellent game tonight.  The team performed just as well, winning the game under the 10 run rule after four innings.  Another win on Saturday night guarantees a trip to the State Tournament.

Okay, it is Saturday and the teams are on the field.  Interestingly, the game begins very strangely.  The opposing team’s pitcher is walking batters and before the next at bat is completed, the walked batter steals second, then third and finally home.  One of the players doing this is the grandson because he is the second batter.  The score is about 3 or 4 to zero before the first hit of the game occurs and there is no one on base when the batter gets a hit.

Regardless, this team is no match for the mighty Cardinals this night and never even scores a run.  Grandson is great once again.  This time at bat, he never strikes out and laid a textbook bunt down the third baseline that is not even fielded for a throw to first.  He starts out as catcher and tags a runner out for a double play at home.  He pitches for an inning retiring all the batters he faces and the team once again 10 runs the opposing team.  They are going to the State Tournament and the dogpile on the field speaks for itself.

Number 1 aka Kaden playing catcher

Number 1 playing pitcher and it is a Strike!!!

Number 1 scoring from third base

Number 1 receiving his trophy

Number 1 happy (and dirty, but very happy)

Melissa Cardinals 11's ready for next challenge at State Tournament

We had a great week with the grands and enjoyed a swim and pizzafest with them this Sunday afternoon.  It is our last day with them and we will miss them.  The activities we enjoyed were so entertaining.  We will see them again at a baseball tournament in a couple of weeks but it is not the same as visiting them at their home and becoming part of their lives for a time.  We treasure the time shared and hope it will always give them great memories of Gran and Bibi.  Maybe they can go with us sometime and share an Adventure in our Adventurer.  That would be awesome!  Well take care, we will post our next adventure soon.