Now that it is spring, we are fully into tee-ball and softball season at my house.

Just yesterday I was playing catch with my eight-year-old daughter, Sara. Now that she is in softball with bigger girls, she is going to be expected to throw better than she does now. So we did some straight throwing and I threw up pop-ups for her.

Picture by K.C. Blanchett

Slowly, she is getting it and able to throw the ball hard to the person she wants it to go. Slowly, she is learning to close the glove as soon as she catches that ball. Slowly, she is learning to take a step with that next throw. Sooner or later it will all be second nature to her and that is wonderful to watch.

Our youngest son, Sam, is now in tee-ball. This is his first year which is exciting for him, almost sad for us because this is the last child to start tee-ball. He is learning to throw and does it well enough. He is learning to hit the ball with a bat and stated he had a homerun during his turn.

The games will start in the middle of May so practice time is hot and heavy right now. Which means on Thursday when I have two practices plus a karate class for another child, I am pulling out the crock pot. Supper is going to be crazy and I am not going to have time to make it right. But I can put together something great in the crock pot in the morning, make a pasta in the evening to go with it and have a great meal.

If you are trying to reduce the number of fast food dinners you have on these nights, how do you do it?  Share your comments below and teach the rest of us something new…

Karyn Bowman lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.