Saturday was long, started way too early, but baseball was a blast.  Gametime was 8:00 AM, so needless to say, the troops had to be up and doing their chores EARLY!  DH took 11 yo early, they had to be at the field by 7:30, the rest of us got there just at the start.  Unloaded the vehicle and watched from the fence as the first batter got on base, and then 11 yo hit the first pitch that came his way.  A nice double to get things going!  The kids were really hitting well and fielding well!  During a later inning, the opposing team had a beautiful hit out toward left field.  Third baseman stuck his arm out and caught the ball!  It was great!  DS walked, and hit another ball just inside the third base line to get a single in later innings.  I don't remember the exact score, but it was a 10 run lead, as the league has a rule at this level limiting scoring to 5 runs per inning, and limiting a win to a 10 run maximum. 

Tee ball wasn't quite as intense, but 5 yo did great, now fielding well, and hitting well also.  He is very deliberate when he throws.  Stopping, taking a look, stepping and throwing, he is getting much better.  7 yo had a day off from games, but we'll have 3 games and a birthday in a two day span this week.

Around the "ranch", it's been a battle with the elements, as winds were horrid for a couple of days when we intended to get our garden wall redone.  We got a good start, but that wind was something.  The gray crested duck is still faithfully tending her nest, and dd noticed another set of eggs forming, and will be allowing for another nest.  We have a hefty supply of eggs in the house for  food, so it will take a while to work through those, anyways.  The chickens are also still tending their clutch of eggs, so perhaps in another week we'll see some new chicks and ducklings!  Chloe the pig looks bigger by the day, still no piglets, though.  The puppies all found new homes, with the exception of the two the family picked to keep.  "Caspian" and "Eowyn" are getting pretty active around the yard!  They're really cute!

My favorite purple blooms are coming out...the mesquite trees are so pretty, especially those with purple blooms.  There's still a chill in the morning air, but once that sun is up, it's toasty.  Thankfully, a good swamp cooler keeps things comfortable!  If only there were a device to keep little boys from accident prone activities. 

That's the latest from the "ranch", where we're tending to wildlife and wild boys.  Blessings!