Goodbye 30's Hello 40's

Eric turned the big 40 at the beginning of May.  He was NOT excited.  Leading up to that day, he kept reminding me that I was the "old" one and that I was still married to a guy in his thirties.  I kept reminding him that he was in fact 39 and only had weeks, and then days, left in his "thirties".  

Some of his friends at work decorated his office for his birthday.  I knew that this was going to happen and thought it would be funny.  (It definitely was!)  I let Sarah in on the secret too.  Before he left home that morning to go to work he said something to Sarah and I about how he hoped no one did anything to his office, and that he saw what they had done to his friend Spencer's office when he turned 40 recently....  Sarah and I secretly got a big laugh out of that one as he drove away that morning headed to his decorated office!

Silas and I picked up some lunch and went in at noon to eat with him in his decorated office.  Silas loved all of the balloons and wanted to take as many home as we could.  His friends at work even gave him a bucket filled with things... The "Back Side of the Hill Survival Kit".

That evening Phoebe's team had softball practice.  All the girls sang "Happy Birthday" to him.

Later that evening he opened some gifts from us.

And we ate dessert.  He had requested an angel food cake with fresh strawberries, and I also made a strawberry trifle.  We all ate some of both!

Happy Happy Happy 40th birthday to my favorite.  He is a man of integrity, honest, kind, funny, giving, and loving.  In my book he wins husband of the year, daddy of the year, and coach of the year.  He wears many hats, and always gives 100% in all he does.  Eric, 40 looks good on you!

Phoebe Games 5 & 6

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game #5 - Tuesday, May 29th, 6pm - Against Clearwater team 1
Stacee was at Sarah's game tonight so thank you to whomever took the pictures.

Our team played great tonight.  Almost everyone was hitting the ball.

Not only were they hitting the ball, they were hitting the ball hard.

We scored 3 runs one inning, 4 the next, and had 3 more in the 3rd.  The other team's coach asked the game be called during the middle of the 3rd inning due to being 10 runs after 3 innings.  Phoebe was the next one up.  Phoebe was 2 for 2.  One hard ground ball to right field and a slow grounder to the pitcher.  Phoebe played 2nd and right field.

Game #6 - Thursday, May 31st, 8pm - Against Mulvane team 1
We played our first out of town game in Mulvane.  When we arrived the lot was full, so we parked in the swimming pool lot across the street.  That was a long walk with all the gear.

Phoebe played well and hit the ball the three times she was up to bat.

Phoebe had a ball hit to her in right center field.  She quickly threw it into the pitcher.  She also played center and second base.

Our team is playing great.  All but a few girls are hitting the ball on a consistent basis.  We had another run rule tonight, 12-2.  Way to go, girls!

Sarah Games 5 & 6

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game #5 - Tuesday, May 29th, 6pm - Against Haysville team 2
I missed almost all of this game because I was coaching Phoebe's game.

Sarah hit a ground ball to 3rd base that scored a run and a line drive to center field that scored a run.

Sarah stole her way to 3rd and got home on a dropped ball by the catcher.  I was told she had a great slide at home.

Sarah did not get any action at shortstop.

The team got up big and coasted to a 15-9 victory.
Game #6 - Thursday, May 31st 8pm - Against Mulvane

Another game I had to miss due to a conflict with Phoebe's game.  This was Sarah's first time to start at pitcher.

I was told she pitched well for her two innings, striking out 3.  She and the catcher, her friend Hannah, got one girl out at home who was trying to steal on them.  Good job, girls!

Sarah also played shortstop but I didn't hear that she had any hit to her.

We won the game.  I believe our record is now 3-3.

Silas Games 4 & 5

**GUEST BLOGGER**

 ~ Eric Hendrickson ~ 

Game #4 - Tuesday, May 22nd

Silas played at 7pm so it conflicted with Phoebe's 6pm game so I just made it to the last inning of the game.  Stacee was with Sarah in Derby and also made it to the last inning of the game.

Silas was focused.

I got to see Silas hit one strong hit to right field and play outfield and first base.

Good job Silas and Team Thunder

Game #5 - Thursday, May 31st

I wasn't able to make this game because I had a machine pitch game in Mulvane.  Had I been there, Silas's hat would have been turned the right way when he was in the outfield.

I was told by one of the parents (not Stacee) that Silas hit the ball hard each time and made good plays at first base.

I was told he dove to first base to get this runner out.  They said the runner was safe and we had no replay to confirm that.

He did get the runner out in a close play at first (in the picture below).

Tball age is a fun age to coach.