Cinco De Mayo Picnic

Fun in the Sun and Why it's "Family"

The 7th grade team planned a Cinco De Mayo picnic because they had a few hours to kill between games for the Pacific Tournament.  It sounded like fun.  I decided to ask if the 4th graders can come and enjoy the fun and bond with their older counterparts.  What better day to have a picnic than Cinco De Mayo?  What better location than Burton Park in San Carlos?  The 4th grade was there, just around the corner anyway.  The 7th grade had game one at 10:00 am and coincidentally the 4th grade had their 2nd game at 10:00 am.  The 7th grade Team Managers thought it was a great idea to have both teams together.  Unfortunately, because it was short notice for our 4th grade team, only 2 players were able to make it and join the fun. 

Players from 7th grade and 4th grade teams pose with pinatas

Burton Park was beautiful.  We set up near the outdoor basketball courts, which were next to the tennis courts and close to parking.  There are baseball fields and two playgrounds.  The park also has a small water park and ample grass area.  The one downside is limited bathrooms.  We were able to park close and enjoy lunch with everyone during this warm, but mostly mild day.  The 7th grade players were in great spirits even after a close loss.  Our 7th grade team is made up of a group of wonderful boys.  They are on the brink manhood, but always the playful boys at heart.  They treated the two 4th graders like younger cousins.  One 4th grader is actually a 3rd grader, but the older kids treated him like he was just another ball player, not just some little kid.  As a group, they walked together, played together and beat up pinatas together.  After lunch, to kill time, the players walked to a wide grass field and played football. The team which won admitted to winning by "cheating".  Everyone was laughing while walking back.  There were no hard feelings.  It didn't even matter who won. 

Football game in action. 

It was pinata time!  At first, some parents were reluctant to have a pinata, wondering if 7th graders were too old.  As I mentioned:  boys at heart always.  That's a good thing.  They loved having the pinatas.  First, the players debated back and forth deciding who would get first swing at the hanging paper star.  The two 4th grade players were allowed to take the first swings.  Then walked over a 2 and a 1/2 year old, wide eyed baby girl.  The older players were so nice to help her hold the bat and cheer her on.  The first pinata didn't last very long.  The beatings it got from even the younger family members wore the thing down.  One of our mothers, A. Corona, tried her best to ressurect the pinata by rewiring the hook as a father, A. Carter, pulled on the rope.  The pinata hit the ground and was victim to a group of hyper boys hungry for candy.  They tore into it. Candy flew everywhere.  Nicely, everyone including the players gave some to the younger girls who attended the picnic.  Some players didn't get to hit the pinata, so out comes pinata #2. 

B. Gisler gives pinata #2 a good whack!  Look ma, no blindfold!

I'm not sure if pinata #2 had it easier.  The players seemed to keep tying it back up just to hit it again.  Players all wanted to just swing the bat, some blind folded, some with no blind fold so they can get a good hit in.  Streamers attached to the star flew in the wind and twisted with every blow.  More candy everywhere.  Kids filled their grocery bags with gum, lollipops and chocolate.  Just like kids, parents filled their hands with candy to take home.  Lucky for the 4th graders, the day of games were over, however, the 7th graders still had to face game #2.  We were a bit worried the 7th graders exhausted themselves and filled their bodies up with fruit flavored sugar.  However, they are the young and sugar burns off much faster. 

Boys don't hesitate to grab their share.

Once a pinata, now a hat.

The day drew on and it got hotter.  The kids had their fun in the sun.  The parents relaxed and even Coach Fitzgerald showed up with his son.  It was a lot of fun.  I'm appreciative the 7th graders included us.  It's moments like this which make UH a family.  On the way home to the East Bay, my van was quiet.  All three kids had fallen asleep.  It was a good day.   Team Managers, L. Gisler and T. Carter did a fantastic job of setting up this event and sharing it with other UH members.  The summer hasn't yet begun, but I know there will be other moments such as this to look forward to.