The Kassel Family Project Life 365

It is Guys Night Out, meaning dinner at Applebee’s and a trip to Toys R Us, while Mom and Laura enjoy some time with friends!

My heart stopped tonight.  John was playing pitcher at his last baseball game of the season when he got hit hard in the mouth with a ball.  I saw him fall and all the coaches surround him.  I ran out of the stands to the field and all I could think was please let him be crying when I get there.  It was an awful, horrifying, scary moment, but John is a tough kid.  Despite a bloody nose, fat lip, and losing a baby tooth somewhere on the pitcher’s mound, he is smiling now.  He is going to be sore tomorrow, but I will take that.

I am so proud of this boy.  It was a very hard hit and seeing the blood from his nose really scared him.  John handled it like a champ and he even insisted on writing a letter to the Tooth Fairy  explaining how he lost his tooth.  I suspect a somewhat large payout ($5) tomorrow…

What a fun, relaxing Sunday.  After drinking coffee and chatting the morning away, we took the kids to the local park to burn off some energy.  For lunch, we went to Portillo’s because you simply must have an Italian Beef or Chicago-Style Hot Dog while in the Chicago area.  Right?!?

While at Portillo’s, Uncle Bob suggested a trip to Dollar Tree.  He really felt that the kids needed calculators (he had a $1 calculator from Dollar Tree at his house and the kids were obsessed, so…..).  Now, we have two kids who are obsessed with Dollar Tree!  Uncle Bob and Aunt Diane let the kids each get six things (they are practicing to be grandparents for Baby Franco) and I have never seen two kids more excited!  We spent the rest of the day with family.  It was great to see Lisa and meet Baby Franco.  We laughed, we talked, and we relaxed.  A perfect Sunday.

Today, Laura, John, and I got to meet Rachel, Andy’s half-sister.  What a fun visit!  We spent the afternoon hanging out with Rachel, Jason, (her husband) and Gunner (her youngest son).  It was really great getting to know Rachel and her family and the time just flew by.  I love having a new sister-in-law, especially one that loves wine!  Hopefully, we will get up there again very soon!

We are on the road for the Chicago area.  Looking forward to a three-day weekend!

Andy and I went to St. Louis for the evening to attend the annual Sid Weber Barbecue for Sigma Chi.  As with previous years, the food was fantastic and it was a great time!  Andy and I spent the evening talking to fraternity brothers from all over the St. Louis area.  One of the highlights for me was listening to the men sing “The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi.”  I really do love that song!  Unfortunately, the four hours flew by and we were back on the road for home too quickly.  Thanks to Uncle B and Uncle Jeremy for watching the kids so Andy and I could go!

John’s Fall Baseball pictures have arrived!  This is the individual one.

The is the team collage.

I think they turned out well!