ava started t-ball. she did not want to go, until dad explained to her what it was. then she really wanted to go. and then harvey came with us. she was exploding with excitement, and she loved it. it is very low-key--just hitting, tossing, catching, no "games" (yet--i assume they will start). i was not prepared for the level of parental involvement, and was cought completely off guard when i found out i was the one that had to pitch to her. and harvey. i am NOT good at this. or at least i thought i wasn't. i was pretty good at catching the balls, but abysmal at pitching. and believe me, harvey let me know. he was profoundly disappointed in me. "too high." "too low." ava, god bless her, had no idea that i was so bad--she was so thrilled to swing a bat, hit the ball, throw the ball and periodically catch the ball. though i learned that all 4 and 5 year olds have absolutely no regard for the human beings around them, and will blithely swing a bat at a ball, irrespective of what or who might be in the way. it warrants a lot of attention.

tonight is the first night that carter has not sat up screaming out of a sound sleep.

something has been scaring him, but he does not know what--what he is dreaming, or what in the room, or who knows. but he is not awake when i get to him. his eyes are open, but he is very rigid. and he just lies down and hugs me like a little boa constrictor. he falls back asleep quickly, but it is very disconcerting.

we went on a hike this evening after dinner--very nice--i remember summer nights like that, getting to go back outside, or for a bike ride after dinner. they had a great time, anc carter pretty much ran about a mile. it is impossible to get him to walk.