LilSugar

A Bodacious Baseball Birthday Bash

babysugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:00:22 -0800

Spring training may be just around the corner, but the crack of a bat against a ball can keep lil ones entertained year-round. When my baseball fanatic turned four, we didn't let the cold Winter months dampen his team spirit. Rather, we planned an all-star indoor bash for the lil slugger and his friends. With an indoor batting cage facility as the venue of choice, the party started with some warm-ups, a few drills and then a scrimmage between the guests. Check out this slideshow for tips on how to plan your own themed party.

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Baseball and Bellies Equals Happy Moms-to-Be

babysugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:08 -0700

The New York Yankees and Mets may have no problem filling their seats but the city's minor league team, the Brooklyn Cyclones, may steal mamas' hearts all over the Manhattan area. In a tribute to expectant ladies, the team hosted an unusual, but incredibly awesome event: Bellies and Baseball: A Salute to Pregnancy.

Before last night's game, the team offered a Lamaze class in center field and allowed pregnant women to run the bases barefoot! Women in their third trimesters threw out the first pitch while the seventh-inning stretch included a chorus of bellilicious mamas crooning on the field. Instead of hot dogs and beers, the women in waiting indulged in concession stands full of ice cream, pickles and pizza. And here's a bonus - fanatics can secure themselves with a lifetime's worth of season tickets if they name their unborn child Brooklyn or Cy! The Cyclones are definitely in a league of their own!

Taking Tot Out to the Ball Game

LilSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

George Will says that baseball is one of the first places a child can match wits with an adult. Hitting a ball with a bat and running in a modified circle is something that children understand and parents can appreciate so heading out to cheer on your local team is a fitting family affair. Here are our tips for a ballpark excursion.

Minor League Action: Minor league teams often pack all of the action of their big league siblings, at a fraction of the cost and in a more kid-friendly environment. The games tend to be shorter and the stadiums often have barbecue facilities available for families to use prior to the first pitch.
Pick Your Game Wisely: Free beer mug day may invite a crowd that you don't want your little one shuffling through, while star player bobble-head handouts might be more up your alley.

For more tips on taking tots to their first ball game, read more.

Bleacher Seats: Most kids don't know the difference between box and bleacher seats and since you won't be spending too much time actually sitting through the game, consider buying the cheapest ones you can find.
Research the Stadium: Today's newer stadiums have areas dedicated for kids with child-sized batting cages, mini baseball diamonds, photo op and mascot-greeting areas. Others offer first game photos and certificates from the home team.
Pack Well: Aside from the requisite sunblock, bottles of water and team cap, be sure to pack enough goodies to get you through the day and figure out where your child's favorite snack stands are - peanuts, popcorn, chili fries and Cracker Jacks make for edible memories.
Know When to Fold Them: If mom and pops go into the game knowing that they are not likely to stay for the whole thing, they won't be upset when their lil one reaches his limits at the bottom of the sixth inning.

Wee Are the World: Kids Being Kids

babysugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 07:00:43 -0700

Having a child with special needs can be challenging. Being a child with special needs is likely harder. When their peers run outside for recess or jump off a diving board, some tots with cerebral palsy or debilitating conditions find themselves watching from afar.

It's not so in Loganville, Georgia. The residents of the small Atlanta suburb built a special rubberized field in 2004 that allows special needs children, including those in wheelchairs, to scoot around from base to base. The games only last two innings, but it's all these athletes need to make them feel a part of things. Their healthy able–bodied peers aid and cheer them on as they round the bases. This is one situation where everybody wins - no matter what the score is!

9-Year-Old Athlete Kicked Off Team For Being Too Good?

LilSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:00:45 -0700

If Michael Phelps had been pulled from the pool, would he have gone on to be the winningest Olympian? It's ridiculous to think that a child could be punished for being too good an athlete, but that's what is happening to Jericho Scott, a 9-year-old little leaguer in Connecticut who has an arm that can throw a fast one. While the pitcher tops off at 40 mph and has never beamed another child during a game, batters have a hard time hitting his pitches, and some parents were concerned when their sluggers went up to bat. As a result, the league has banned Jericho's team. Do you think this is fair?

Dadmazing: Dad Catches Baseball with Baby in Other Arm

babysugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 04:00:52 -0700

As a baseball fanatic, it has always been a dream of mine to catch a ball in the stands. But I fear breaking a finger or getting nailed in the noggin would prevent me from such "heroic" efforts.

Apparently, this Dadmazing father was none too worried about injuries - to himself or his tot. Since his baby boy was straddling his right forearm, the athletic Dodgers fan reached out his gloved left hand and snagged a souvenir and 15 minutes of fame.

If you were the baby's mother, would you be impressed or distressed?

15 Signs That a Family Is Super Technologically Connected

LilSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:45:58 -0700

We live in a connected world. It seems like every member of the family has some tie to technology, even the wee ones. Here are some signs:

Your fetus has a domain name.
You choreograph her labor and delivery to an iPod playlist.
Your tot's favorite toy is the DVR remote.
A childhood milestone is becoming part of the mobile "family plan."
Your youngster throws "screen time" tantrums.
Your daughter tells you about her day via Facebook and instant messenger.
You text your husband reminders throughout the day.
You vent to your mom friends on Twitter.
Your babe bobs his head to the beat of your iPhone ring.
You kiddos think all phones have cameras.
Your tot doesn't have an imaginary friend, but a virtual one.
Your son goes to baseball practice on the Wii.
The kids ask Santa for wireless.
Your tweens have Kindles instead of library cards.
Your children love to sit down and get nostalgic scrolling through their baby blog.

Jon and Kate Plus 8: "Gymnastics and Baseball" Episode

LilSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:18 -0800

Last night on Jon and Kate Plus 8, the family takes on sports of all sorts. The quarreling parents may be spending the holidays together, but they're still separate in the final episodes of the show. Take the quiz to see how well you watched!

Can't get enough of the Gosselins? For more on the whole crew, visit the Jon and Kate Plus 8 group over in our LilSugar Community!

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Source: TLC

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Lil Community: Did Anyone Regret Not Finding Out the Gender?

Lil Community — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:53 -0800

This post was submitted by Beaner in The Pregnancy Posse group.

Hi all. I'm almost 16 weeks pregnant with our first baby, and my hubby and I are overjoyed. In about a month, we have the big appointment where we can learn our baby's gender (if he or she cooperates). It's very exciting, but the thing is, when we first found out I was prego, my husband wanted to find out if the little one was a boy or girl, and I was adamant about not finding out. Now that it's getting closer to the time when we can find out, he's changed his mind and wants to keep it a surprise till the big day, but now I'm leaning toward finding out.

I guess I'm just feeling like if we don't find out at our next appointment, then we'll have to wait another five months or so. I'm also thinking about how much fun it will be to decorate the nursery, make a baby quilt (that's not just cream-colored), and start picking up some baby dresses or baseball hats. I still love the idea of keeping it a surprise until August, when he or she is born, because really, when do you get to have such a huge surprise like that in your life? Plus, about 98 percent of the other pregnant women I know all know what they're having, and it seems so few people are waiting until the big moment when the baby arrives. So I'm wondering if there are any moms out there who regretted not finding out, and if waiting the full nine months was really tough.

P.S. This is a photo from our 12-week ultrasound. Our little one is already doing yoga, just like his or her mommy.
Talk about motherly things on your mind at The Pregnancy Posse group over in the LilSugar Community.

Do You Parent More Like Larry King or Conan O'Brien?

babysugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:00:13 -0700

When it comes to protecting children from harsh words or unfair treatment, many parents step up to the plate. Evidence of this can often be found on the little league or soccer field where a mom or dad feels their child has been cheated. While those games tend to have "officials" monitoring the fairness of the event, some folks feel it is their duty to inject themselves into the refereeing.

Such was the case with talk show host Larry King at one of his son's baseball games. The television icon watched from the stands as an oblivious umpire missed a play and called for a "do-over." Furious that his son didn't get the out, King and the official got into a shouting match that ended with the celebrity's ejection from the field. Watch the passionate pop tell the story to Conan O'Brien. What would you have done?