1. Baseball sleeves, little boy size, in black and orange (we couldn’t choose a school with stylish colors, we had to choose the school with good academics — what were we thinking???).

2. Batting helmets, to prevent any (more) brain damage.

3. Socks that come up to their knees and make them look like extras in a production of Oliver Twist.

4. New baseball cleats! That leave black marks on the white kitchen tile! Woo!

5. Kids who wear their baseball uniforms around all day, just because they can.

So clearly baseball season is starting here; fortunately I have Chris to rely on for moral support. Like tonight, when I texted her to say, “Two kids, two practices, two different fields. I am living your life.”

And she came back with, “Haha, double that.”

I cannot win. But I can drive less. I guess.