Saying Good-bye to Jackie

"So who is Jackie?" you may be wondering! Well, many of you did not know, but we had a pet turtle for a few days. Daddy went for a run last week and heroically rescued a turtle from the middle of the road. He brought him home to the boys, and they quickly went out and bought him a little tank, some turtle food and a plastic rock formation. Gehrig named his new pet turtle Jakckie, after Jackie Robinson, the baseball player.

A few days later, Chris was researching on the internet about this turtle and learned that the little tank that we bought for him was way too small and that he needed more water and more dry surface as a well as a heat lamp and a myriad of other things. We decided that the best thing to do for our little turtle was to take him to the park and release him by the pond. We knew that convincing Gehrig would be a challenge, and it was.

However, after a morning of tears, and propmpting from both mommy and daddy, he reluctantly agreed that it was what was best for Jackie.

So, later that afternoon, I loaded up the boys and Nicholas, Gehrig's friend, into the car and off we went to the park with a mission.

So far, so good! His buddy helped him carry Jackie out to the pond.

Jackie's last moments before "freedom."

After being released from his cage, Jackie crawled around in the grass for a minute,.....and then made a bee line for the water and dove right in. I watched to see if he would resurface, but he didn't.After that, I looked up and Gehrig had walked off, his friend, Nicholas went after him.

He was SO upset and I think that he was fighting off tears and trying to put on brave face since his friend was there.

Poor thing!

As soon as we got home, he cried uncontrollably. He is a very sensitive guy! But we know that we gave Jackie a better life and a more fitting environment where he can be happy swimming around with his turtle friends!

Back-to-back visits!!!

We were so lucky to have both sets of grandparents come visit us, one right after the other! We tried to show them a good time in Clovis!

Gehrig was beyond surprised when Grandma Joan and Grandpa Dub showed up at our house sporting their new shirts! It was so great to see have his fan club here for his last T-ball game. While they were here, we went to Casel-Land, a family fun center that had batting cages, putt-putt, bumper boats and more! Gehrig was so brave and got in the batting cage.

Next we headed over the the putt-putt course!

Colin had a great stradegy. He would whack the ball off of the starting line and then go get it from where ever it landed, pick it up, place it about an inch from the hole.... ...and then tap it in.

One last picture! It was so great to have Grandma Joan and Grandpa Dub visit! We can't wait to see them again in a few weeks!

The same day that Grandma Joan and Grandpa Dub left, Grandma Carole and Grandpa Jerry arrived!!! We, of course, had to go back to Casel-Land for some more putt-putt!

I couldnt, for the life of me, get a picture with both of the boys looking! We went to Lubbock for the day so that Daddy and Grandpa Jerry could play golf at the RAWLS course at Texas Tech while Grandma Carole, the boys and I ran errands. We had a picnic lunch in the park and Gehrig climbed a tree!!
The next day Grandma and I took the boys to a brand new waterpark that opened in Muleshoe. It was small, but perfect for the boys. It had a zero entry pool, a lazy river, a diving board, and a waterslide.

So proud after he went down the waterslide!

Sno-cone break!

I thought that these next two were funny "Baywatch" poses!

We went to a little old fashioned soda fountain and ice cream parlor...the only place in Clovis that serves Blue Bell ice cream!!!

It was so great to have you, Grandma Carole and Grandpa Jerry!

Gehrig's T-Ball Season Finale

LOOK WHO SHOWED UP TO SURPRISE GEHRIG FOR HIS LAST T-BALL GAME OF THE SEASON!!! IT'S GEHRIG'S FAN CLUB!

Grandma Joan made these awesome t-shirts for herself and Grandpa Dub to wear to the big game. Boy was Gehrig surprised when they walked in!

Gehrig's fan club waiting for the game to start. Throughout the season, Gehrig mostly played 2nd base.
He was so intense. He always takes t-ball so seriously.

Posing for a photo op right before his last bat of the season.

On first base, ready to go!!

At third base, waiting to score!

Every time Gehrig crosses the plate, he slides. Without fail. Even when the play is no where near home plate. This is what his slide usually looks like.

However, this is what it looked like during his last game

I think that he was trying to avoid colliding with Allie, the catcher from the other team!

He played first base, too!

One last team cheer for the season.

Marlins on THREE! ONE, TWO, THREE....

MARLINS!!!!!!Here comes the team after one last victory lap!

After the game, the team and their families headed over to the park for an "End-of-the-Year" picnic. The coaches handed out trophies to each of the players. They made the trophies by writing the names of each of the players on a baseball and attaching it to a plaque. Here is #4 showing off his first trohpy ever!!!

The team all pitched in to get their wonderful coaches a gift. We uploaded the team photo and the Marlin's logo onto a mug and had it personalized with their name!

Then we filled them with Cracker Jacks and Big League Chew...

and wrapped them up with a tag and ribbon.

The little ball player enjoying his hot dog at the picnic.

Coach's mom made baseball cupcakes!!!

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