Day 2,152

The(m) RiverDog Boys

RiverDogs reunion!!!

So glad Bearett was able to attend his end of the season banquet - such sweet timing! He was thrilled and excited to see his teammates again and played with them until the very last minute. In this picture, he’s receiving the first of what I assume to be many participation trophies. Dad says Bear’s gonna use it as target practice since “Bear didn’t win nuthin.” Bearett hugged his “champion” and asked what it was for. You and me both, Bear. You and me both. Ha! I’m considering keeping this one intact since it’s his FIRST one. Might take some convincing with his father though ;) In any case, we’re tremendously proud of our boy and how much he learned this season, and we’re excited to build off these past couple months as he becomes more and more familiar with the game. 

Good job, RiverDogs!!! We’ll miss seeing you!

And now, we (pool, water balloon) party!!

Ella Mae says, “give me all the cake!”

I turn my head for ONE SECOND and she’s scarfing a piece of cake on the ground. Of course. 

What a fun day!



And what a fun night for Daddy!!

His brother Jeremy lives in New York and was able to come down to see a game and catch up briefly. It was a dear time for those two Conley boys, as I know Adam misses him. Hoping to see him again at the end of season and have Jeremy take him up in a helicopter! Love you, Brother!

Day 2,438

The Last Tee and Dad’s 7th

Bearett had his last game of the season last night. And to go out with a bang, our boy knocked his first hit ever off his coach instead of using the tee!!!! The enhiliration he experienced as he ran screaming and smiling all the way to first base in pride is one face I will never forget. And just in case I lapse in memory somehow, I got it all on tape!

We’re going to all miss our Riverdog team!! What a joy it’s been watching Bear learning alongside his friends, listening to the instruction of his coaches, and gaining new skills. You’ve come a long way, Bubba and we’re all so proud of you!

And we’re all proud of our Dada too! He threw again last night and we got to watch with some of our friends...which clearly is Ella Mae’s preference! He pitched well and is really finding the velocity he had lost from last year as well as success with his new slider. It’s coming together - the board read 97MPH yesterday, which would be the hardest he’s thrown in probably over two years. Not too shabby, Dada!



Not too shabby at all. 

Day 2,414

The Dog of the River

New day. New position. His favorite still remains pitcher. But only because most ground balls come directly to that position. And he likes being involved in EVERY play. Sound like your Dad, there Bear. 

Dad’s faster than most people we know. But still, he’s not as fast as his position-playing teammates. Looks like the two of you have more in common that busting up lizards and and singing old country songs. 



 But the hair, that’s what gives you away, Bear. Just like your Daddy. And I LOVE it!!! Our Bubba is starting to really look the part and the coolest thing is, he’s starting to play the part too! He’s gotten so much better already and we’ve really enjoyed his progression so far!! Good job Buddy!

One day your cheering section may be a little more enthusiastic. Maybe not. 

Day 2,413

The Little League Night

They were confused about the fact that they were going to a baseball game that Daddy wasn’t at. But as soon as they saw Bearett’s teammates and Amelia’s friends for Little League Night at the park, they squealed in delight and played all night long, catching brief glimpses of the Hi-A Port. St. Lucie Mets take on the Dunedin Blue Jays in a league Dada played in 6 years ago!

Day 2,400

The End of Spring Blessing

Dad’s last day of Spring Training meant that he was finally able to make it to Bear’s tee ball game!

The Riverdogs played so well yesterday that they got to take some coach-pitch swings! Bearett is about a mile late on swinging at live pitches, but he has made so many strides elsewhere that I wouldn’t be surprised to see him hitting line drives by the end of his season. We’re so proud of you, Bubba!!

This beauty is too. 

Favorite photo of Bearett’s tee ball year yet. What a treasure to have Daddy there watching and cheering as Bearett showed off his new skills. The pride he carried yesterday was so adorable. It was as though his extra bit of swagger was purposeful to say “I’m so happy you’re here Daddy! Look what I can do! I’m just like you!”

Speaking of Bearett being like Dad, before the game yesterday, Bear came up to me and told me he was about to go to work and make some money playing baseball. I asked him how much he was going to make and he said, “ten monies.” I can’t believe how much I love this family. Insane. They are the absolute best. 



After the game, we came home to about seven loads of laundry. We had to pack Dad’s bag for the season, which meant pulling everything out, cleaning everything up, and finding all the lost socks. It’s about to get crazy y’all. 

Also, while Amelia was praying last night, she said, “And dear Lord, help Dada go to New Orleans so we can watch him pitch...and he’ll get super big HAs.” Adam and I died laughing. Right in the middle of her prayer. In this family, a HA is what we call a strikeout because of the sound the umpire makes when he calls the third strike. And apparently she wants Dad to get SUPER BIG ones!!  Can’t get enough of the hilarious things she comes up with! Also, while we were reading our bible, Amelia tried copying Daddy saying the word “persecution.” Yeah, it came out of her mouth “poop-r-cution.” Gotta love it. 

Day 2,396

The Last Practice 

Dad’s last time seeing his boy practice this season had me all nostalgic. We’ve seen Bearett transform before his very eyes and watching him watch his son is such a sweet gift to this Mama’s heart. Plus, Ella Mae getting in on the action...I can’t even!! I’m sure going to miss this when he leaves. 

Because baseball is the best. 

Day 2,393

The Baseball Days

If this boy ain’t his father’s son...

And this girl, her mother’s daughter. Ay!! Too soon though baby girl. You can’t start looking for your husband for like, another twenty-something years please!!

Yesterday was Riverdog picture day! Bearett is soon going to be the proud recipient of his very own first ever baseball card! This mama can’t wait! 

Following photos, the boys played in their third game of the season and wow have they improved!! Bearett still runs like a...uhm, his run needs a lot of work, but our Number 4 is hitting and fielding and throwing SO much better than only a few weeks ago! He loves it and asked yesterday where the money is that he worked so hard at baseball for. These kids! Note to parents out there: your kids are watching and listening to your example!!

We skipped naps for Bear’s game and though they were exhausted, my babes survived without any meltdowns. Thank you! It’s hard enough managing three kids with no naps. It’s even harder when daddy isn’t there to help! 

But Dad had a game of his own, so we can’t fault him for that! He pitched six innings against the Cardinals AAA team yesterday. 80-ish pitches. 5 or 6 Ks. 1BB. Something like 2 hits and an ER. He wasn’t exactly sure about his line, but he said he felt really good, mentioning that the ball came out of his hand well and that he struck both righties and lefties out with the slider! He’s making progress, definitely and though we’re bummed that we missed it, we’re encouraged by the good news he brought home to us. 

Day 2,382

The Checkmarks

Wives (and three year olds?) meeting at the stadium. Check. 

Pre-naptime naps on the way home. Check. 

Smiling and content baby. Check. 

New (gigantic) tee ball bag. Check. 

A good day for the Conleys. 

Day 2,377

The 3 B’s

Baseball. 

Babes. 



Bubble gum. 

Doesn’t get much better than that on a Thursday night! 

Day 2,372

The Riverdog Saturdays

Tee ball Saturdays!

Bear had his second game yesterday and has already seen tremendous improvements since last Saturday. He played shortstop, then pitcher, then center field and made a number of great plays. He’s trapping the ground balls well but still could use some finesse when throwing to first. Our boy hit three singles as well!

Ella Mae did some cheering, but mostly just ate more food off the ground. What is it with her?!!

And Amelia sat like a lady in the dugout. That’s my girl!! Crossed legs and all. 

Hooray for the Riverdogs!

And hooray for waking up to dad’s best face after your nap. Doesn’t get much better than him!!

Day 2,365

The First Tee Ball Game!!!!

IT'S RIVERDOG TIME!!!!!!!!

WE LOVE #4!!!!!!!!!

(Click on photos to enlarge them)

Best buds ready to take this season by storm! 

Yesterday was Bearett and The Riverdog's first game of the season.

We had our Double Bubble ready for a day at the park and all the smiles to go along with it. 

Bearett wasn't quite sure what was happening, but definitely liked his spot on the bucket.

Bearett batted second and therefore, got to claim ownership of the on-deck bucket "throne" longer than anyone else. 

After introductions, it was game time. 

His first at bat in his WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE was a single!

SAFE!

And standing at First like a big dud! He ultimately found his legs and a better use of his arms and scored before we made it to the next inning. Stud.

We were skeptical of his fielding skills, especially at second base where a large majority of balls end up in tee ball.

But our boy came out of nowhere and surprised everyone! He played defense GREAT and was so much happier that he actually got to field the ball!

His first throw to first!

He was diving everywhere and chasing everything - much different than what we saw last week in practice. 

He's getting the hang of it, but it still cracks us up!

Scooping it up!

Throwing it to first.

I can't look at this picture and not see my boy in ten years. Favorite.

He recognized some boys throwing the ball to second base during the game, and was thereafter confused. "But I thought I was supposed to throw it to first base, Coach Bryan?"

Haha you can see Coach Bryan telling Bear to throw it to first!

It was a hot day at the park even while only 9:00AM and our babe slept well in it!

I can't even begin to explain how fun yesterday was! I think I found my new favorite athlete and my new favorite team. This is just TOO MUCH FUN!!!

I promise he thinks the same thing.

But truly...

I think Bearett was most excited and happy about the "snack" after the game.

Amelia looked on in longing. I asked him to share some "snack" with his sister and this is how he chose to. This kid.

The girl that grew up on the field, back in her element.

She had so much fun playing on the field after all was said and done. 

What a day!!!

I LOVE YOU BEAR BEAR!

We are SO proud of you and can't watch you faithfully pursue whatever dreams you might have.

But the one downside to having two baseball players in the house is that the Dada won't be able to see the Bear Bear play in games. Thankfully, we have lots of photos and videos to share with him!!

_______________

Adam pitches in his first Grapefruit League game (Spring Training game) on Tuesday - Amelia's birthday! He'll pitch the 3rd and 4th innings after Dan Straily starts the game in West Palm against the Nationals at 1:05.