What "Happy" Looks Like

When softball season rolls around, it takes up a majority of our time and social life. Basically, for about 4 months, the kids are focused on schoolwork and softball. Hey, wanna see a happy kid?

This is what Mika looked like, after she hit her very first home run. Yessirree bob, she did it! She'd gotten a triple in each of the past two games, so we thought maybe, just maybe it was possible for her to hit a home run. Today, she proved herself, walloping the ball to centerfield and sprinting around the bases (without falling!).

And where did we go to celebrate? Here's a hint...

Truthfully, we were set to visit here anyway tonight, because it was the last day for Mika to get her 20 free birthday tokens (her birthday was a couple of weeks ago). The girls had worked really hard all week on schoolwork (not to mention performing really well in their softball games - Marika made 4 outs in her last game, including one amazing catch of a pop fly!), so they deserved the treat. Chuck E. Cheese really isn't all that bad... and it's hard to hate the place when the kids have so much fun there!

Marika's actually been doing double-duty for softball. For the two games before today's game, Mika's team has been playing short, due to injuries and spring break absences. Marika put on her old Bulldogs uniform and went to play right-field with the older girls. She got plenty of action out in the outfield (much to her dismay), but she did her job perfectly... snagging the balls and throwing it in to the midfield quickly. We enjoyed watching them play together, since they won't ever be on the same time together (being 2 years apart).

And last but not least, DaddyDude got a new toy. Yup, he had his midlife crisis! The "Mika Mobile" was traded in for a truck, which DaddyDude has been dreaming about for quite some time. He works hard for his money, so I thought he deserved it - and he is so happy now. Getting a truck is soooo much better than me being dumped for a younger model, right? I always joke with DaddyDude that the only things he doesn't try to upgrade are the girls and me!