I Am Having A Ball

I hang up the phone and shut down my computer as the stack of unfinished tasks grows larger and larger on my office desk.  I grab my keys and my purse and hand a file folder to Wendy as I dash out of the office.  I am in a hurry to make it to Fredericksburg in time for the Bill Riley Competition that my daughter will be competing in that afternoon.  I stop at home to pick up Karissa and make sure Christian has a bite to eat before he heads off to the ball diamond to get ready for his evening baseball games.  My mother pulls into the driveway shortly after me and we anxiously await my husband who is racing home from the river with an unloaded semi to make it in time for the competition as well.  Whew ... it is nothing short of a miracle when we all manage to be buckled in and heading down the road just a few minutes behind schedule!  

Once we arrive in Fredericksburg, we are joined by others from the dance studio, as well as Karissa's Aunt Holly, as we check in and wait for the competition to begin.  As we watch the commotion from our lawn chairs beneath a tent, I feel a cool breeze and realize that it is much chillier than I had expected.  I guess I didn't need quite so much sunscreen after all!

The competition begins and I am amazed at all the talented performers ... from piano players to vocalists to gymnasts and dancers ... the performers compete as their names are called one by one.  As the final performers in their division, Karissa's and her partner, Brooke's names are finally called to "be on deck" and my mother and I move closer to the stage to get a better view and take some photos.  The sun becomes much brighter as we move out from under the tent and I adjust the viewfinder on my camera to accommodate.  The announcer finally states their names and they enter the stage.  Through the quiet hum of the crowd, I zoom in for a closeup as the music is about to begin.  I snap a few pictures as the girls stand in position, their bright green costumes glistening in the sun.  The melody bursts from the stereo and the girls begin with a smile.  The music flows through them as their tap shoes move in unison with every heel-toe, shuffle and turn.    Each move seems effortless as they dance with poise and ease and they clap along to the beat.  As the music comes to a close, they lift their arms into a final pose with a smile.  I glance at the judges to see if I can assess their opinions and then I quickly turn my attention back to the girls.  The audience (at least the ones under the Expressions Dance Studio tent) launch into cheers and applause!!  My heart is full of pride as I meet the girls coming down from the stage and I congratulate them on their awesome performance.  I snap a photo of the two of them together as we wait for the judges to make their decisions.  After what seems like an eternity, the announcer finally comes on stage with the results.  First they announce third place, which goes to another group of dancers from the dance studio.  Way to go girls!  Next, we hear the words ... "Second place goes to the Tap Dance Duo of Karissa Kleve and Brooke Herold."  Woo hoo!!!  We cheer loudly and applaud with pride.  I move toward the stage once again with my camera to get a photo of the girls with their fellow winners.  First place goes to a well deserving young gymnast/dancer from Iowa.  I snap a photo of all the girls on stage as they proudly accept their ribbons.  Pretty impressive for the first competition of the summer!  Way to go girls!!  :)

After photos, congratulatory remarks and pats on the back, we fold up our chairs and head to the van to head for home.  As we drive, we can't help but sing along to the silly song that one of the contestants danced to during the competition ... "Butterfly driving a truck" ... the words become catchier every time we sing them and we can't get the song out of our minds.... "butterfly driving a truck" ...

Upon returning home, Karissa quickly changes her clothes and we trade in our lawn chairs for bleacher seats and head to the ball diamond to watch Christian and his team.  The first game is a JV (Varsity Reserve) game and we eagerly watch as Christian takes the field.  His favorite position is catcher and he does a good job at it too.  As we watch, the pitcher and catcher find their rhythm and then Christian pops up from his squatting position to grab a ball that was higher than the pitcher had intended.  As strike after strike pass the plate, a getaway ball lands in the dirt and dust flies as Christian stops it with his entire body.  "Nice block, Christian" I hear someone say from the stands.  Eventually a ball is hit to the outfield and a runner makes it to first base.  He steals and slides into second base about the same time as the ball hits the second baseman's glove... "he's out!" I hear my mother-in-law exclaim with excitement ... however, the umpire disagrees and the runner takes his base brushing himself off from the slide.  The game goes on and on with hits and strikes and outs and runs as we cheer from the stands.  Karissa holds out her hand for money for concessions and I send her to my husband for change.  As I watch him hand her a couple dollar bills, I try to recall if she has a game tomorrow ... I wonder if she will pitch again.  I focus my attention back to the ball field.  Time has passed and our team is now up to bat.  There are two outs, a batter is up and Christian is on deck with his bat.  The anticipation is overwhelming as my heart goes out to the batters ... I grunt with each throw of the pitch and each swing of the bat....

The game goes on and on to the top and bottom of each inning ... I think we have a chance to win this thing!!  Our team once again takes the field.  As the pitcher throws a few warmup pitches, I lean over to my sister-in-law and sing "Butterfly driving a truck" ... I think it has been a long day!! :)        

The JV game comes to a close and the Varsity team takes the field to warm up ... I am beaming with pride as Christian takes the field with the team for warmups and dons the catchers gear once again.  They announce the names of the starting players and they run onto the field...

As the crowd rises from the bleachers and faces the flag, I glance with pride at the baseball field.  Christian stands strong in his catchers gear with his teammates.  Karissa whispers in my ear, attempting to sing along with the National Anthem using the incorrect words she used when she was a small child ...  "...Babe Ruth through the night, that our flag was still there..." I smile at her as we share the memory.  I sense my husband beside me respectfully holding his cap in his hand as I am surrounded by family and other South Winn fans.  It has been a perfect summer day ... and I am having a ball!!