NINE

Makai has been getting super into video gaming, so we decided to celebrate at an arcade called Play and Spin for his birthday. He invited school friends to the arcade and then later we had family and friends over to our house. I chose my Rainbow Road tshirt as a surprise for him because we had just recently gotten in an argument about it while playing Mario Kart. I was beating him and then he chose Rainbow Road, which I did not agree to and he knows I do not like.

Friends Party at Play and SpinPortillo’s Chocolate Cake!

Makai, Jack, Everett

Brian and Makai

Jack, Otis

Hendrix, Brian

Arthur, Everett

Jack, Makai
Arthur

Jack, Makai, Hendrix, Everett, Otis

Otis

Everett, Brian, Otis, Arthur, Hendrix, Jack, Makai

Family Party at HomeRory, Everett, Makai, Arden, Konrad, Dallas, John

John, Rory, Everett, Arden, Arthur, Makai, Mari

Rory, John, Everett, Makai, Arden, Mari, Arthur


Makai, John


Konrad


Arden, Everett, Makai

Katerina

Gifts Sneaky Par hat from Marty

On Makai’s actual birthday, he had a birthday donut

For dinner his pick was CRAB LEGS!

Facetime with Grandma and Grandpa

Dunham Baseball 2022 – Pintos – LA Dodgers

Margaret let me know that all of her kids were signed up to do baseball at Dunham Park this summer, so we decided to sign Makai up too to see if he would like it. He said he would try it and then when Dallas took him to look at equipment he got freaked out and didn’t want to do it (after I already registered and paid the fee after being on a waitlist!). We talked him off the ledge. He tried out and made the Dodgers team. It helps that his bestie Everett is on the same team and so is Ethan from their class. Makai knows a few other kids from Thorp as well and one kid who did soccer at Kilbourn.

4.5.22 – At their first practice, Makai was the most concerned about looking “cool”. Getting in the car, Makai said, “Well at least I remembered my sunglasses.” Me: “Do you need them?” Makai: “No, but they look cool!” I found out later on that Dallas also questioned the sunglassed and Makai told him “It looks awesome with the whole outfit, dad!”

4.26.22 – Makai got his uniform. His team is sponsored by Alderman Nicholas Sposato. He chose the number 64 because of Nintendo 64. With his uniform he got one pair of socks and a cap. We bought more blue socks and 3 pairs of pants as well as a helmet. Quinn gave us a really nice baseball bag, a couple of bats and two gloves.

4.30.22 – The Dodgers played their first game against the Marlins. It was actually rained out and because we didn’t play enough innings, we had to do a makeup game. Makai struck out when he was up to bat. Also, he got suited up and played catcher, which none of us had any idea was going to happen. He didn’t really like it.

05.07.22: Mom, dad and KC attended their first baseball game of the season on Mother’s Day weekend. Makai played catcher again!

05.09.22 We signed up to bring snacks for after the game. We got a bunch of chips and waters and I made these cookies.

05.14.22 Saturday ball. Makai had to leave Art’s birthday party a little early to get to the game. Margaret and I volunteered in the concession stand, which was interesting to see how that all works. Screenshot from the GameChanger app, where we could follow along with the game. Love the team photo that another parent took.

5.18.22 Makai is really enjoying being catcher now!

5.20.22 Friday night lights! Dallas had to go out of town for work and I had dinner plans that would get done just AFTER the late game started at 7:45pm! Grandpa B came and took Makai to baseball and I met them there. Barely missed a thing!

5.21.22 Love the huddle!

Dodgers are in 2nd place!

06.05.22 Lola and Grandpa and Grandma were visiting before the game!

06.11.22 Makai’s little league played on the UIC fields today, which was exciting in and of itself. To top it off, Makai made his first in-game hit (a double) and the coach gave him the game ball for his hard work and perseverance! He was so pumped. Proud of this boy in his first year of baseball!

06.17.22 We have a baseball dog! And Makai is continuing to make hits!

06.22.22 Our practices on Wednesdays have been at Wilson Park. Grandpa B watching from the park bench.

06.24.22 What an exciting baseball weekend! Makai’s team is on a 4-game winning streak. Makai had his personal best game yesterday when he got a 3-run double and a single later in the game. Our team won 7-1. Everyone was so excited and Coach was especially proud of Makai! Today we played again and while Makai didn’t play his best, 3 of his teammates got home runs and our team won 12-0.

Official Team Photos!

07.07.22 Third place in the league, time for playoffs!

07.08.22: Dodgers win in the playoffs! Brandon, Makai, Everett

Ethan, Brandon, Makai, Everett

We brought snacks, I made chocolate chip cookie bars.

07.10.22 Uncle Richard and Jill came to watch Makai’s playoff game. Unfortunately, they lost to the Astros and were out of the tournament. Still, it’s been a great season. Makai has made a lot of friends and really has improved his game! We went for ice cream with Whitman and Everett’s family after the game at the new shop, Lovin’ Scoop. The Dodgers finished 3rd in their division.

7.15.22 Makai’s teammates, Ethan and Henry, represented our team in the home run derby. Makai and I went to watch and show our support.

7.17.22 The Dunham Baseball Picnic. It was insane! So many people. Everey team on every level all came to the park on one day. Each team had it’s own area and things they did. The kids had so much fun just playing together, not at a game for once. Dallas couldn’t go, so mom and dad came with us. I made these cupcakes for the picnic. We also hired a taco guy and they were so good. Coach shared a drink with dad – it was his first michelada! There was also an insane raffle with amazing prizes. Great day. Great end to the season.