Amara is a Colorado Rockie, and daddy is an assistant coach ;)
There's a great little organization called jump start sports who gets
the smaller kids involved early. She signed up while it was still
pretty cold out, but now we're into the season. It's 6 weeks, she plays
at Windsor park in GC (where mom and dad like to remind us that dad
played on 61 years ago, and was also where mom's water broke with
me--while at one of Tim's games).
Eric ran batting drills with the kids, and Amara did really well with
him. He said she listened to her pretty well. She also liked running
the bases--she actually said that was her favorite part.
When she got her turn at the plate, she hit the ball, then actually
chased her ball--carrying her bat, helmet, all of it. I'm not sure when
she dropped the chase OR the bat, but she eventually made it to first
base. At this level, they aren't playing for outs, rather each kid goes
through the motions of hitting, running, throwing, etc.
They spend about half the practice on fielding, batting, and running,
then each team bats through their lineup. It seems like a pretty good
setup.
Once the kids all showed up, she was happy to see that her friend Johnny
King from Primrose was on her team and Irelyn was on the opposing team,
the Mariners. We were talking about the game at bedtime and she said
"Irelyn gave me a high 5," referring to when all the kids line up and
tell each other 'good game." It was sweet.
Both grandmas and grandpas came and aunt Kristin too. We needed the
help--I bet there were about 10 kids there for every grown up and Cora
was convinced she was part of the team--insisting she needed to be on
the field.
At the end of the time, we all headed home. Grandpa Jahn had grabbed a few hot dogs and cheez-its for the ride home, we finished dinner, quick showers and to bed. I don't think I heard a peep from either girl--granted, it was Friday and they are always whipped, but they were REALLY tired after all that practice.
Since it opened at 9, and we're used to all getting up and out of the
house, it was no big deal to get up and ready. Grandma Young met us
here to ride up with the girls at 8:15 sharp and we headed up. When we
got REALLY close, it looked like the skies were going to open up and
DUMP on us all day--it was scheduled to rain (40%) and we all had our
fingers crossed, but it was in the 90's yesterday, so I was wishing for a
sprinkle.
We got there and it was looking impending--but it rained literally :30
seconds. We put the girls in the wagon and hightailed it for
shelter--and the front gate.
Checked in, I was racing towards each next grove, in case the rain
came--but it never did. It was the most bizarre thing. We went to all
the inside places, the fish, the manatee, etc. thinking we'd need cover,
but by 10 it was just overcast, even breezy, and beautiful. We took
turns racing the girls through the zoo, and the flamingos, apes, Gibbons
(where we witnessed why monkey bars are they way they are) and had a
great time.
We headed to see the river, while we waited on the boats to open--but
growing impatient, we doubled back and fed the lorakeets instead. 
Next,
the kangaroos, and then the carousel. She got to ride 4x, while the
rest of us rotated in and out. Cora was not a fan of sitting on the
horses, so she rode with me on the bench and that was super :)
Cora wasn't herself, but she was a trooper.
Beanie picked out a flamingo (to go with the larger one she sleeps with
every night) and Cora picked out even tinier flamingos as her take-home.
Grandma surprised Amara with a G I A N T penguin, just like the ones we saw! She snuggled with him on the way home.
Never really knowing how to pick a birthday theme, Amara and I started
discussing options in the Winter. Would it be party rock? Some cartoon
she never mentions? I tossed out several concepts and the one she
landed on was a blue theme.
She and I started planning and ordering decorations, thinking of ways to
incorporate blue into her party. Eric (of course) suggested bleu
cheese dressing, but we went in a different direction.
Instead we had blue snow cones, a blue cake, balloons, paper decorations, table clothes, and candies.
Next, the guests. Between Eric's and my families, we have almost 20
right there. I also wanted to add in (for the first time) a few friends
that Amara selected--and she picked Alex, Irelyn and Landon Hinkle from
her Primrose class.
After 
Within seconds, the girls were BOTH already cramming their faces with
the fresh off of the vine goodies. Amara did a really great job
listening and picking ONLY the ones that were completely red, whereas
Cora was content to just be handed hers--I think the hay being almost as
thick as she was tall in some spots intimidated her. :)
When we had enough, we went back in the barn to weigh our berries. We
didn't get a ton, so we got a few other pecks to supplement, and grabbed
a few for Grandpa Jahn too. It was fun, too bad it's been so hot--they
won't last forever, but they sure are tasty!
Amara insisted on holding the berries in the car--and I'm sure I found at least a dozen stems back there :)
Later we headed up to Build a Bear, for our first ever trip. Right away, Amara spotted a rainbow bear and daddy spotted a purple hello kittty (Cora is slightly obsessed with right now). We watched as Eric walked down the row with Cora, to see if any animal would catch her eye and sure enough, she spotted the kitty and had to have her.
After building our pets, we picked out some purple PJ's for Amara, got birth certificates and headed to the space play area. Amara made quick friends with a little girl there, and they played follow the leader for quite some time.
Aunt Annie's pretzels are a must, so we grabbed a few and headed for the car.
We stopped by grandma and grandpa Jahn's before heading home, for a quick visit, and then some down time for everyone. With such a packed day and weekend, we were all quickly ready for bed. As I put Amara to bed, and kissed Cora goodnight, I was overwhelmed by how adorable these little girls who call me mama, mom, mommy, or even Mrs. Micki--really are. We had a great day and weekend--special thanks to E for coordinating and making me feel special.
