I just had two popsicles -- Edy's fruit bars, which are numlicious.

Not surprising, but still huzzah-worthy nonetheless. HUZZAH!!! And woot! for good measure.

Our guys played awesome. It was a very tense game. Arlo lead off the game with a triple, and we scratched out two runs in the first on passed balls and a walk. Then their pitcher settled in and mowed us down for four innings.

They threatened several times but our defense was stellar, and our side-arm slinging pitcher, Dan, kept them off-balance. Twice we turned double plays to get out of jams. And with the game still 2-0 in the 4th inning (out of 6), runner at third, and one out, they hit a hard grounder to our first baseman, Alex (also one of Emmett's teammates from the Cubs). Instead of taking the easy out at first and conceding the run, he threw home and Emmett blocked the guy off the plate and we denied them.

In the top of the sixth, with our last ups, we got a leadoff walk. Matthew then stole second. Next batter, Alex, has a clean single, so we've got first and third. Alex steals second uncontested. Next batter strikes out. One out, men on second and third. Kye comes up and drills a clean single past the shortstop, scoring one. First and third again. Emmett comes up. He fakes a bunt on the first pitch, taking a called strike, but Kye moves up to second. They don't want to throw to second and let the runner score. Emmett swings through a fastball. Two strikes. Takes one pitch for a ball. He's in the hole with one ball and two strikes.

Their pitcher comes back with a fastball and Emmett absolutely crushes it hard into the left field corner scoring two for a stand-up double. We were up 5-0 and the parents are starting to breathe again. They had last ups. Ben in to close it out: Strike out, running catch in right field, and a running catch by the shortstop into short left field and we won the game.

In our last three games we outscored our opponents 26-1.

As it turned out, both our 12 and 10 year olds were knocked to the losing bracket also by Alameda. But whereas we were able to fight back and win the championship, those teams were eliminated. Still our Junior team won District as well, and now we host the Sectionals at our home fields in Albany.

Instead of taking the easy out at first and conceding the run, he threw home and Emmett blocked the guy off the plate and we denied them.

Nice!

Their pitcher comes back with a fastball and Emmett absolutely crushes it hard into the left field corner scoring two for a stand-up double.

RBI, baby! Er -- plural!

RBI, baby! Er -- plural!

Your 2008 California District 4 Champions!

You might surmise from this picture that Emmett and Matilda love each other.

The handsome kid kneeling and holding the banner with his hat tipped back and his face right above "2008" is Alex. The kid next to him - the moppet with his hat down and the big smile - right above "11" is Arlo. Both Emmett's teammates from the Cubs as well.

Congrats Hec and Emmett too. Love that he's holding Matilda.

Allyson, I hope that today has been better than yesterday was.

Am highly gronkified but still awake. Anyone wanna 'splain that?

Hec, that pic is fabulous and how wonderful that Emmett's holding Matilda. Yay for victories and adorable siblings.

Lord, but I'm loopy.

Hey, Allyson, I watched the video part that was linked to the news report. I didn't realize that this happened in June! Your poor family. Do you need anything?

I have a new super hero idea. Ficious!

That's seriously the best Division Champs team picture ever. Go, Emmett!

good picture

odd how the joy on all the faces, balances my view of the universe today.

OMG, you guys. I was so sorry and shocked and appalled to read about the weekend that some of you had. My heart goes out (and so's my hope that I use this expression right this time) to you.