We have spent almost nine blissful years out of the over-scheduled din of child rearing in modern times. Bird and Deal have each enjoyed stints in various sports and taken swimming lessons, piano lessons, hip hop class, and art class. They lead a well-rounded life that is full of lazy days, adventures around town and around our state, and endless hours shooting hoops or tossing a football in the backyard. It’s not uncommon for us to spend a summer day lazing around in our PJs all day, entertained by books, paints, snacks, and each other. We do not run to and fro to tennis lessons, swim team, camp, and music recitals. We are not a family that lives by a timer and we are not the kind of people who eat meals on the run while one kid or the other is changing into cleats and a jersey in the back seat. You know how much I cherish our family meal times at the kitchen table. I am a stickler for eating together, even if that means grilled cheese sandwiches or spaghetti. My car is not my second home, and the concept of meals-on-the-go gives me ulcers. I have no desire to find a meal that fits in your hand. This is not a life I want to lead.
Yet here I am.
We just signed up Bird for baseball, at his behest. After years of protecting our family time and lazy play time, we succumbed to allow him to experience team sports. It doesn’t help matters that I happen to loathe baseball. Couldn’t he have chosen something like tennis or lacrosse? Alas, he’s opted to don polyester pants that are unbecoming on everyone. I shall rally and be supportive and not roll my eyes or groan. Deal has that covered for me. We’re shuffling our schedule and our mindset to become a baseball family this season. Two games a week, smack in the middle of our usual dinner time. When exactly is a family supposed to eat and when is a kid supposed to do his homework? Oh yeah, and that little detail about bed time…my boys go to bed around 7:30 0r 8:00, and they need their sleep, rising at 7:00 or 7:30 each day. I’m bracing myself for these changes. I’ve already got camp chairs in my trunk and snacks packed. Being a novice to this sports scene, I’m likely to forget something critical like Bird’s glove or water bottle.
I think what is going to help is a bottle of my own, when we get home, of course.
I’m going to go for a cold beer brewed locally. North Carolina has so many spectacular beers that it really doesn’t make sense to reach outside state lines anymore. My pick of the day is Lonerider’s Shotgun Betty. I kinda love it for the name alone. I’m not a fan of guns, but the bad ass in me feels the need for a little Betty time to time. Besides, the Shotgun Betty is light (but not in that gross watery way) and tasty, perfect to quench a parched palate after an evening of baseball. And I bet it goes great with grilled cheese.