Baseball and School Supplies

When Ty was four we started him in his first season with Lubbock Christian Athletic Association in T-ball. It was definately an introduction to the sport but not a lot was learned. The next season he went for much more serious league... Western. Our coaches were nice but again... not much learned. I wish we would have skipped T-ball all together and done what my brother-in-law suggested all along, which is where we are now- Coach pitch. Its amazing how successful a child can be when you actually have expectations of them and take them time to teach them plays!!! Give kids some credit!!! Ty has been playing on the Red Dawgs for Fall Ball. He learned more in three weeks of practice than in three seasons. TOTALLY different coaching from a great guy who has a the perfect balance of firm and appropriate age expectation. He is a different kid on the field. We are definately sticking to this league as long as we can. SO much more enjoyable to watch, I am more than proud of Ty and the great strides that he has made in a matter of weeks! There is something to be said for two to three practices a week, a five year old does not remember when an entire week has passed. The coaches have given us practical things to practice at home and Ty has developed a real love of the game because of the individual time they have spent with him. Olivia is already showing an interest but she is going to have to wait until next year. I want her to be at least four before we start committing to things outside of school.

I have now made two trips to various stores and will be having to make a third to complete the standard school supply list for Preston Smith, where Ty will be starting Kindergarten in just a couple weeks!!!!! This is completely out of control. Its not anything like when I was in school. We need 6 packages of CRAYOLA crayons, which amounted to $18, and that is only one of the 15 items on the list!!! 24 glue sticks, two packages of CRAYOLA markers, among many other items. Very frustrating when the ROSEART brand right next to it is a quarter of the cost!! For instance, on the crayons... Roseart was only .99 and Crayola was $2.99, the difference is more than the price.... totally different color hues. Had I had my act together and purchased them through the PTA by May 15th it would have been $55, which I thought was outrageous at the time, now its close to $70!!!! FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pure insanity. No wonder som many have to be donated b/c kids can't afford them! That is half of our grocery bill! The stinkiest part of it is not one store carries everything on the list. I now have to go to Mardel's to get 9X12 multi-construction paper, I am just hoping they have it. This is beyond ridiculous. I will be biting my tongue on meet the teacher night!