Every now and then, we have birthday parties on the baseball field! Last week, it was A’s turn to have a surprise party.
His birthday was during the week, but for some reason he told me it was Saturday. So I arrived on Saturday armed with a cake (covered in sprinkles, of course), much to his delight and surprise!
We also had fun games, since Coach Tom had recently ordered some new toys that had just arrived! Our favorite was this cool game– you have to maneuver a wire hook over a metal contraption without touching the metal at all.
Lisa brought food, too! She made spider spaghetti for the kids.
These are the kind of days I’ll never forget. What a wonderful life this is!
It’s finally that time of year! Time to roll out the wrapping paper, put up the tree, and decorate way too many cookies. To kick on the season right, the Pediatric Interest Group at American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine put on a fantastic Christmas party for some of the kids in our area.
One of the groups that was invited to the party was Player Development Program, which is the baseball program that I volunteer with. Today, the team had a Little League game before the party,. The dugout was buzzing with happiness during the whole game! The kids were in high spirits as they anticipated the party, and they played with such gusto that they ended up winning nine to seven.
After the game, we all piled into cars and vans and got ready for the fun ahead. When we arrived, students and their spouses welcomed us with treats and games and loads of fun. The Pediatric Interest Group obviously put a lot into the day, and there was so much to do! The kids sat down for a yummy lunch from Jules and then dug into the pie, cookies, candy, and homemade goodies that the students and spouses brought.
When the sugaring up was finished, and when all the kids had received their shiny red Rudolph noses, it was time for crafts and games! Glitter, glitter everywhere. I’m pretty sure we’re all going to leave sparkling footprints behind us for the rest of the week. Too bad fairy dust doesn’t really make you fly. I’m going to think some happy thoughts just in case, though, because you never know.
There were coloring pages and paper crafts and games galore, but the one I thought was the most fun was the paper snowflake station. I taught the kids how to fold and cut snowflakes. I’m not sure they understood the connection between snowflakes and Christmas (or even snowflakes at all), but they absolutely loved the lacy paper and creativity. We ended up with snowflakes, boats, and paper shapes of all kinds.
The kids even got gifts! Jackie, a spouse at the school, and her kids made incredibly adorable presents. The girls got crowns and wands, and the boys got superhero masks and arm bands. Needless to say, they were beyond thrilled!
Just as the glitter glue and paper shreds threatened to become a magical snowstorm, the party’s hosts took the kids outside to play and run off all the sugar. I helped clean up and waved goodbye to the kids. Thanks, Pediatric Group! We had a wonderful afternoon.
When a little league team from the Sint Maarten, Dutch Caribbean (SXM) visits Canada, what do they do? They play hard, of course. I’m so proud of our team, The Daily Herald. They consisted of five 14 or 15-year-olds, five 9 to 11-year-olds, and a six year old. They faced a team of 14 and 15-year-olds without a single qualm, and they dominated on the field. Someday, you might see some of these in the major leagues! Here’s Little King, on of our 10-year-olds, reporting on his team’s game.
Today we went to a baseball game, The Daily Herald vs. Blue Jays- St. Catherines.
1st batter: Triston. Walk.
Triston up at bat
2nd batter, Little King, walked.
Puppy had no fear. He even made it to first base.
3rd batter Tre hit a single.
Adonis after scoring a run
4th batter Big King hit the two runs batted in.
“I got two first base, two second base, third, and we won.” Adonis, 12
Skijlaar ready at first
When we got three outs, Triston was the starting pitcher. Little King was the catcher.
“I went 2 for 2 with 2 singles.” -Tre, 14
Lewis on the mound
The ball one could have passed, but I blocked it.
“I was left outfield and the team that we played never hit a pop fly so I didn’t do much.” Theo, 14
Little King catching
A boy hit the ball. Herald make an error. He ran to second base after the next batter came to bat.
“We had so much fun.” Triston, 9
Big King in the infield
The boy on second, he stoled 3rd. I got the ball and I throw one time.
Zack watches his teammate slide into home
We win St. Catherines Blue Jays 11-7.
SXM proud.
Yes, these boys certainly did make SXM proud! Way to represent your country, team. It’s not so much that they won– it’s the hard work they put in and the courage it takes to go up against bigger kids. It’s the good sportsmanship, the encouragement, and the confidence. This team makes me proud all the time! I’m thankful for them and glad I get to be one of their coaches.
His birthday was during the week, but for some reason he told me it was Saturday. So I arrived on Saturday armed with a cake (covered in sprinkles, of course), much to his delight and surprise! 
