Emerson's First Little League game!

Today was Emerson's first Little League game, after the Opening Ceremonies last night. It was a chilly evening but that didn't put a damper on the players parade. The players were then treated to about 90 min of inspirational speeches from a series of ex-players of varying levels of celebrity including Goose Gossage, who I remember from his short stint on the Cubs in the late 80s. This morning Emerson suited up in his own Cubs uniform. He is in the Rookie League where players can strike out after 7 strikes, and many do. But today at least, Emerson did not. He was up to bat three times and got three hits, including one double! In recognition of his performance his coach awarded him the game ball from today's game. Needless to say, he was thrilled!

 

Ethan's first Lightning game

Ethan was my Valentines date to the Lightning game tonight and he didn't disappoint. He cheered often and loudly (if somewhat unpredictably) for the Lightning and for goalie Ben Bishop in particular. He also, due to serendipity and cuteness, got on the Jumbotron, a lifelong and still unfulfilled wish of mine. It was free visor night and when he started to cry that we had somehow missed out on the flashing red hearts not one but two people sitting near us offered theirs to him. A bout of crying later on got him a free Eastern Conference Champions commemorative puck from one of the concessioners. And we got to take a picture with the Moon Man. It was a very strong start to what I am sure will be a lifelong love of hockey.

Stitches

Emerson loses his first tooth!

Ethan breaks his arm

I was on a conference call when my cell phone started buzzing like crazy with calls and texts: Ethan had fallen off the monkey bars at school and broken his arm.

Twelve hours, two ERs, a cancelled work trip, and one orthopedic surgery later, Ethan was resting peacefully in the hospital bed where we would stay until morning, under observation.

He will recover completely after six weeks in a cast. But no monkey bars until he has his two arms working again.