Drew's t-ball tournament concluded today with a double-header. Fortunately, we had a couple of hours of break time after the morning game to go home, have a leisurely lunch and rest up for the evening game.

Drew showing his powerful hitting stance as he lifts his front leg before swinging. He came up with this all by himself and, admittedly, it's not necessarily the best technique for a kindergartner just learning to hit...but it is pretty cute.

Drew running to first after another hit. He wound up going 4 for 5 during the three game tournament against the first graders.

[When I get some time, I'll insert a movie here of a couple of Drew's at bats.]

Drew scoring a run for his team!

Drew fielding a ground ball.

Drew, looking good in his Cobras uniform.

This evening, Drew had his very first baseball game. Here he is stretching before the game. The boys didn't even have their jerseys yet (they were handed out just before the game started).

Drew is very excited about his first game.

A video of Drew's first ever official at bat. The game was part of a preseason tournament which was supposed to be t-ball against other kindergartners but because there were not enough teams his age they had to play against first-graders coach-pitch for the first three pitches. Despite not having practiced coach-pitch (except a little with Daddy) Drew hit a coach-pitched double his first time up and went 2 for 2 for the day! (The video is a little shaky as Daddy needs to work on his technique.)

Drew running home to score his first run.

A happy baseball player in the dugout.

Drew's second at-bat, resulting in a base hit.

A proud young boy on first base talking to his coach.

Drew ready to run from second as soon as the ball is hit. Thanks to his teammates, Drew was able to score both times he came up to bat.

Somehow I missed Almightydad's December collection and ranking of the Top Dad Blogs for 2010. Keith Wilcox scientifically ranked the top 125 Dad Blogs from a collection of hundred and DanzFamily.com ranked 31st!

If you are at all interested in Dad Blogs head on over to the ranking, there are some wonderful and fascinating reads there. I can't begin to imagine the amount of work it took to collect and calculate all the data. Even more amazing, Keith is working on a Top Mom Blogs list, a truly insurmountable task!

Thanks Keith.

Our family dentist (who is awesome by the way) really emphasizes the importance of brushing and flossing to our children. Will has been flossing for a number of months now and, well, you just have to see it for yourself...

Mary made the most awesome homemade creme brulee for dessert tonight! Instead of creating a fire hazard, she kindly just put four candles on mine.

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday; my family, a favorite dessert, some great presents and Aunt Donelda shipped in some Chicago pizzas from Lou Malnati's! Thanks everyone!

Mama spotted a wild bear on the loose today! Luckily it just turned out to be Landon after a bath. Below, the little guy can just barely crawl and he's all about pulling up to see what his big brothers are having so much fun doing. Landon's figured out the best toys aren't on the ground!

[Update: I've been told that I don't know the difference between a wild bear and a puppy dog. I suppose the floppy ears do give it away. Whatever.]

Just a great photo of three year-old Will being himself.

Drew is six years old and has been taking piano for just seven weeks. Here he is playing two songs during practice today.

After the jump the Vimeo version of the same video. (I've switched from showing the YouTube version after the jump because Vimeo now requires viewers to go to their site to see the HD version of a video which I think is annoying and, so, their demotion to the second page.)

Drew had his first ever official t-ball practice today and it was really cold. Just a quick 20 minutes where each boy got a chance to bat twice. I hadn't planned on taking pictures, so just some quick and dirty iPhone pics below.

The team waiting in line for their chance at bat.

A strange batting stance but guaranteed to get the ball down the third base line which in t-ball means a certain base hit.

Drew sliding home!