James' New Look

Here is a picture of James' new look.

Notice the missing front teeth, the lack of hair and the nice bruise on the forehead.

The teeth had been loose since around Thanksgiving and finally were knocked out with assistance. The first was knocked out while wrestling with a buddy and the second was knocked out while playing with me.

The haircut was James' idea. He told the barber what he wanted and he got it. The barber's comment, "Tell mom, it's just hair, it will grow back. If this is all she has to be upset about, she is very lucky."

The bruise happened Wednesday at school. During play time, James tried to catch a ball. Instead, he caught the metal bench which is concreted in the ground. Needless the say, he lost that collision. In person you can see the weave pattern of the bench imprinted on his forehead. Here is the text of the email the teacher sent to warn Shannon of the injury.

Mrs. Duer,

James had a pretty bad tumble this afternoon out on the playground. I did not see it happen, but from what I've gathered from the eyewitnesses (aka "reliable students"), he was going for a ball and fell backwards over one of the steel benches that is bolted into the ground, i.e. the bench didn't budge.

Anyway, he will look like he's been through war when you pick him up this afternoon, and I wanted you to be prepared. He also has a sprain to his right wrist, which we are keeping covered with ice.

I've always heard the phrase "he ate dirt" when someone has fallen, but I've never actually seen that. Well, today, I did. Poor James had a mouthful of dirt, but Ms. Meagan cleaned him up, so he actually looks better than when it first happened, which is a relief.

He went to baseball practice that afternoon and showed no ill effects.

The regional spelling bee didn't go as we hoped. Grace went out early on a tough word. There are a great many reasons to feel good about her experience. However, sometimes we need disappointment in our lives to teach us important lessons. They may not be easy to learn but they are important. Grace has made us proud with the mature way she has handled the disappointment. Thanks again to all of you who sent messages of support.

Here is the write up from the Knoxville Paper along with photos and video of the winner.

Today is the regional Spelling Bee for Grace. She is calm, cool, and collected right now. She is like her dad. We only get nervous right before the event. Shannon, on the other hand, is nervous for her right now. Thanks to family and friends who have sent messages and made phone calls to wish her luck.

Here is the list and pictures of the competitors that appeared in Sunday's Knoxville News Sentinel.

Role reversals

It's snowing in Greeneville! And it is sticking! We will probably get around an inch but it is enough for the kids and Shannon to get a snow day. Every time it snows, I am struck by the role reversal in my and Shannon's relationship. When we were in college, I was the one tempting her to skip a class and go do something fun. She was always the good student who was opposed to the practice of skipping. Now who do you think is trying to talk me in to staying home to do some sledding before going to work? Oh how things change.

Speaking of changes. Grace got a pleasant surprise a few weeks ago. I posted her strong second place showing in the system wide spelling bee. The fellow who finished first has a conflict and won't be able to represent the system in the regional spelling bee in Knoxville on March 8th. Therefore, Grace will get to go! She is very excited!

Fun Geography Game

I discovered this geography game last night. It is fun, & challenging. How smart are you about your world? Go ahead give it a go but set the timer to tell you when you need to do something productive.

Tacky Day?

This morning, Shannon was getting ready for school. She put on a new pair of pants that have buttons on the front similar to sailors pants. Then she added a ruffled shirt to it and proceeded to call it her "Pirate Outfit"

James who used to be the first one up has now become the last one up trudges down the steps in time to hear Shannon ask, "What shoes should I wear with my Pirate Outfit?". James replies, "Why is it Tacky Day?"

I guess to a 8 year old's mind, Pirate = Tacky. Let me assure you, Shannon looked extremely cute in her "pirate outfit".

Dinner Table Guy Update

Valentines day is not far away. That day is important for many reasons as it applies to relationships and the chocolate & flower businesses. This year however, it also corresponds to the day pitchers & catchers report to spring training.

As I wait for that day, I thought I would catch up on where our dinner table guys are and where I expect them to play this year:

It has been a busy off season for the dinner table guys:

Brad James was added to the 40 man roster of the Astros and played in the Arizona Fall League. He should start this year at AA with Corpus Christi.

Troy Patton was traded to Baltimore as a part of the deal that brought Miguel Tejada to Houston. That was a shock. He has a very good chance of making the Baltimore roster out of spring training as the 5th starter.

Ralphie Henriquez was traded to the Mets in a minor league deal. Based on the nature of the deal, it sounded like a change of scenery was needed.

Timmy Johnson was released a few months ago. After spending 3 seasons in the Appy League, it was to be expected.

The rest of the guys are still with the Astros. Here is where I think they will fall out of spring training:

AAA - Round Rock
Beau Torbert

AA - Corpus Christi
Brad James

A + - Salem
Jordan Parraz

A- - Lexington
Brandon Barnes
Andrew Darnell

A - Short Season Tri Cities NY
Phillip Stringer