Back on the mound

#2 got to try out his new mitt for the first time yesterday at David's softball game. He and dad played catch while warming up. The idea of a fluid throwing motion is currently escaping him. David's slow-pitch softball team, which took second place last year, started the year off with a win since the other team forfeited. So they split up and played a scrimmage. David is the team's pitcher, and was pleased with how well he placed the ball yesterday.

Celebrating

Thanks to all those who have provided gifts for David and #2! David received some pants and Mario kart Wii, then went crazy at the bookstore. (Obtaining "I, Robot", "Foundation", "The Invention of Hugo Cabret", "The Complet Sherlock Homes", "The Jungle", "Fahrenheit 451", "Bulfinch's Mythology", "The Sun Also Rises", "For Whom the Bell Tolls", and "The Old Man and The Sea".)

#2 received clothing, some toys, a new bike, and some school/coloring books.

Player

Last night Melissa and I went out for a celebration thanks to my brother - who got us tickets to the Utah Opera. We saw Don Giovanni. Interestingly enough, the best performance of the evening went to the pit orchestra whose precision, interpretation and tone carried the evening. Gracias.

Spring?

After a bike ride with Dad, #s 1 & 2 noticed a butterfly coming out of a chrysalis under one of the bricks on our home next to the garage. They enjoyed watching it squirm out. #1 was excited to teach dad the term chrysalis, which she picked up from Little Einsteins. Could it be that winter is actually over? About stinking time. Now to start hate'n on summer. Wouldn't it be nice to live in an area that had more than 2 seasons?

Re-al

Daddy-daughter date this evening consisted of going to the RSL game. It was nice to see them pull off a win. #1 took a friend on the soccer team and her dad along for a group adventure.

When life gives you lemons...

It also gives you a food shortage, which means you don't have any sugar. Suck it up and chew the bitter agony of defeat:

#1's soccer team lost.

Coach was devastated. Hope is gone. Four open goal misses by his team from a foot away with no defenders. His perfect record destroyed on the third game. How will he ever recover? When will we ever stop mocking his competitive nature with 4 year olds?

The 13 seconds highlight of a 30 minute game...

You get the general idea.

False endowment # 3 completed

Well, as David put it - the arm of flesh was again lengthened in another ceremony of pomp and circumstance - we still enjoy the opportunity to reflect on the accomplishment of graduation. Dad and Sherry Hoffman were able to make the trip up which was awesome. We ate a fun dinner at Los Hermanos. Thanks to all those who provided moral support and prayers as David did this. The highlights were when #2 and I ran into Elder L. Tom Perry in the parking lot and got to have a quick discussion and when David got to shake his hand, have a quick discussion on a conference talk, and get congratulated by him. Here are some of the pictures from the day. (1) Us with Elder Cecil O. Samuelson and his wife. (dumb "professional" cameramen) (2) David with his chair and the dean of the department, Legrand Richards (grandson of... duh). (3) Us.

He is already itching to get back into the classroom... maybe it will pass. S&I denied his request to attend Stanford for the 09-10 year for a Doctorate. Not that it is needed, he can fill any position in S&I now with his current degree, with the only exception of Ivy League type institutes. To teach at those, one must have an Ivy League (or similar level) doctorate or the students do not respect the instructor enough to come and strains relations with the institution itself. (That's what we've been told). It therefore does not make sense - because of the time away from family and money spent - to get a Doctorate unless it would be to further his career at such a school. (Bonus! I like him at home :) ). So, he's continuing his learning addiction without the formal education structure for a while.