Splish Splash Kickball Bash

This kickball bash was definitely filled with a splish & a splash!  Since a spontaneous game of kickball on Father's Day we played nearly everyday whether it included friends or just the seven of us. When you have a birthday in the middle of July, outside in Texas & in triple digit temperatures there has to be water involved! We decided to add some baby pools to the kickball "diamond" which sounds like it would be an easy task but it was far from easy.

 

We had plenty of time to get the pools in the weeks leading up to the party but kept thinking it wouldn't be a big deal to just pick some up at Target that week. Fast forward to just hours before the party we (the entire family) were driving around like maniacs looking for them! Can you believe that Walmart, Target & Toys R Us had NOTHING?? It was the middle of July! After each place the poor birthday girls' face would drop as she said "are we going to find one?" I felt so sad. The last shot in the dark was a sporting goods store. I walked straight in & asked an employee if they had any in stock. He got on his walkie talkie & confirmed that they did not. My heart sank. I decided to look for myself & what do you know, hidden on a shelf were THREE perfect pools! I was jumping for joy, raced to the checkout & had a beaming girl when I hopped in the car. Phew! I thought we would have to text to let everyone know to leave their swimsuits at home & come ready to sweat like a dog.

 

Once we were home preparations for hosting were in full swing. Thankfully the girls & I knocked out the cake baking the night before. We stayed up late, ate the cake batter & didn't even get salmonella from the raw eggs! Some little guys got good naps in & thanks to Rob we had hotdogs, pulled pork sandwiches & all sorts of sides ready & waiting.

 

After eating, we headed out back for the bases to be blown up.  In no time at all the kids were lined up & the National Anthem was playing. One after the other all those cuties kicked & kicked & kicked. Here is Char with her friend Sarah...

 

 

 

The lemonade stand from birthday #5 was in business & the outfielders were looking a little too well dressed for this type of bash. They all needed some encouragement to play some ball instead of chatting ; )

 

How much cuter could we get with all our players & on lookers?

 

 

The vast majority of our team had no idea how the game was to be played & the average age was probably 4-5 which explains so much! It didn't matter though, we had a blast! Here are some action shots...

Grandpa Bob was about the best infielder you could ask for. He not only coached those little bitty ones to run to first base but also chased them with a ball & aimed to miss time after time. They felt like a million bucks! When it was his turn to "bat" he moved in slo-mo around the bases stepping in each pool with his tennis shoes on! I couldn't believe it & couldn't stop laughing. The only time I didn't laugh was when he tagged me out rather aggressively or when my dad caught my fly ball which made for out #2. I thought we were playing for fun?

This kiddo should be best buds with Owen & Anson who always seem to have their shorts on backward. TOO cute!

Elo is a pretty strong girlie & fast runner!

some preferred to lounge while runners passed her by...

 

Hannah liked lounging so much she moved her chair into the pool to visit with Owen.



 

It was pretty exciting when the pitcher started pitching to two at a time...

 

I even got to kick with the birthday girl! We were running so fast down the 1st base line I accidently halfway slid into the pool. Char thought that was hilarious. 

 

Robby was the pitcher the entire game. He was also the guy behind the awesome playlist which included some good ol' fashioned "Take me out to the Ballgame," "Deep in the Heart of Texas" & various others that kept us feeling like we were watching the Astros play ball. It also reminded me of the music from A League of Their Own....love that movie!

 

Back to a couple more action shots..



 

Talk about bases loaded! With your average player age of 5, often half the team was in a pool at any given time : ) 

 

While the big kids were playing Arlo was getting some lovin' from Gaga.  He was actually extremely grumpy up until this moment. Being with her makes me happy too. 

 

Two of the mamas watching the game were my friends Laura & Rachel. I am so thankful for the families we have met through our homeschooling community. Our kids like each other & we like each other too.....win win!! It looks like they funded the lemonade business.....or stole everyone's lemonade ; )

There were also other party-goers that were smart & avoided the heat & also happened to avoid the camera but we were thankful to have them celebrating with us! I did have a picture taken with some special guests. My cousin Jon & his wife Lauren welcomed twins in May. Boone & Lyla were just about the sweetest little things & decided to snooze the majority of the time.

Arlo was much happier when everyone left & he had the swing & Paw Paw all to himself.

 

Prior to the mass exodus we enjoyed a Texas sheet cake topped with seven candles.  Our sweet girl who still rather not be the center of attention asked if we could skip singing the birthday song. We told her if there was a party she would hear the lovely song sung loudly by all with her name inserted at the appropriate spot. She survived with a smile on her face. She basically had a smile on her face the entire party just blending in with her buddies enjoying something she loves....kickball.  It was most certainly a happy, happy birthday for Charlotte Grace.