Stevo's machine pitch team The Dodgers

Stevo finished playing in his second season at frank Manning Little League a few months ago. He played for the Dodgers this year and improved in everything but his hitting. He had trouble hitting the ball from the pitching machine and was in a slump for a few games. Think baseball will be one of his best sports once he learns the mechancis of hitting.

Jazzy's T-Ball Team

Jazz is about to finish the summer league of t-ball this week. I volunteered to coach her team this summer and got more than i bargained for. Coaching these kids was fun but took alot of patience and creativity. They are a great group of kids who mad big improvements throughout the summer. Jazz hits the ball well and is proud of her stance when she is on the bases. The pink helmet and glove is her idea. Jess has been the team mom and has helped to keep me sane jazz will be playing soccer in the fall and might try out cheerleading. El Paso has alot of youth sporting opportunities maing it a great place to raise the kids.

Our First Arena Football game

We have a new arena football team here in El Paso called the Genearals. We took the kids to their opening game and had a great time. They played the Corpus Christi Hammerheads and beat them pretty easily. After the game the kids got to meet the players and get autographs.

A day at Ascarate

Took the kids and the dog to ascarate over spring break to feed the crazy ducks and to get out of the houes and away from the tv. Miss being with family in Corpus, throwing some ribs on the grill and laughing about the crazy stuff we used to do as kids. We didn't take the fishing poles mainly because we don't think freshwater fishing is as exciting as salt water fishing. Just have to get used to it I guess. Nice park to hang outand kick around the soccer ball. Like the fact that you can see the mountains and the border wall at the same time. Weird how a wall seperates us. Talked to the kids about what was happening with the wall on the way home. Jasmine said she will talk to Obama about it. Good day.

Baseball season Begins as basketball comes to an end.

Stevo just started playing in the spring machine pitch league for Frank Manning. He is playing on the Dodgers this year and had a pretty good first game fielding. He made two nice plays but still likes to dance in the outfield when he gets bored. He didn't do so hot at the plate. this is his first time hitting off a machine so he probably needs a little more practice. Jazz just wrapped up her basketball season at the Galatzan rec center. She improved throughout the season and seemed to get the hang of the game as the season went on. Her coach really tried to help the team but she seemed a little overwhelmed at times. Who can blame her. Have you ever tried to teach a layup to a group of four and five year olds. Jazz will start to play soccer in April and maybe t-ball. Both kids are pretty active making for packed Saturday's. I love being a dad. Watching them grow and learn is the best gift a man can ask for. Blessed in El Paso.

More Pictures from the Franklin Poppy Festival

Things to do in March

Took the kids to a few nice events around El Paso this month. The kids really enjoyed going to the Generation 2000 event downtown. Stevo shot hoops and Jazzy caugth a fish in the tanks provided by the Ascarate fishing club. This was a nice family event but think the ticket prices were a little steep for what it was worth. The information handed out by the vendors was useful but think more families could have enjoyed the event if the price of admission was a little cheaper. We also spent one weekend at the Franklin Mountain Poppy celebration. This event was free and the kids got to take a shuttle to the festival. I say shuttle but it was just a rented van that we had to share with like thirty other people. The festival had speakers and exhibits detailing the animals and the history of the Franklin mountains. Stevo and Jazz liked playing bingo the best. We had a chance to visit the museum and Jazz got a little freaked out at the life-like Indian displays. She thought they were going to come to life and had to be convinced hat they weren't going to attack. Think this city has alot to offer kids and families and really like the different variety that you can find on any given day. Plan to take the kids to see The Hobbit at the Kids-n-Co theatre this Saturday.

cast in show at el paso playhouse

Just started rehearsals for my first show at el paso playhouse this past week. Show is called "I never saw another butterfly" and deals with the children imprisoned at the Terazin camps during WWII. Cast and director all seem very talented. Haven't done a show in a long time but feels good to get back in swing of things. We rehearse in an old church in central el paso. Whole experience looks to be rewarding. Will visit the el paso holocaust museum this saturday with the cast to get more insight into the lives the characters lived. No real plans for spring break just spending time with kids and getting ready for my one-act show to open next Monday. Astros just landed Pudge rodriguez and the miners are playing Nevada in the CBI tourney. Really would like to see stefon jackson win the tourney and get an opportinity to play in the NBA.

Freshmen vs. Chapin 2008

www.flickr.com Coach Solis' vs Chapin 2008 photoset

Softball and Running don't mix

Had two softball games last night and my knee is killing me this morning. I should have learned my lesson a few weeks ago when my knees took a beating as I ran the bases thinking I was an older version of A-Rod in game 7 of the World Series. I plan on running the John May 4 mile run tommorow morning but don't know if I should just take it easy and rest. My team is called the underdawgs and believe me we play like ones. We got beat pretty food the first game and then had a little better outing the second game but still came up short. I went something like 2 for 4 but didn't have a solid outing. Sort of like the El Paso Diablos who got spanked for 21 runs or something by Shreveport last night. My son's baseball team got beat for the third time by the Red Sox in the Frank Manning little league. I'm really happy with the league and the kids on his team. They have won 12 games and lost four. El paso has great sports programs for kids (much better than the leagues in Corpus Christi, my former hometown). The Riverside baseball team is playing in the 4A area playoffs against Canyon randall. Will be keeping an eye on them through Saturday. Had a great interview earlier this week with jan Wolfe of El Paso magazine about our theatre program at Riverside. Pretty busy and hectic week but can't complain. Still breathing and chugging along. Will start to incorporate more track (speed) workouts in my training. Think I will run the New Mexico State 5k run on the 18th and then finish up the month with the Families in Crisis 5k on the 31st. Life is good. Remember that.

Braden Aboud 5k

Ran the Braden Aboud 5k this past weekend and ran a terrible 30:02. Race was a flat course and seemed to be pretty quick but just didn't have anything in the tank at the end. I am having trouble staying motivated with my training routine. The school year is about to come to a close and I guess teacher-itis is setting in. The race was pretty packed and well organized. T-shirts were white white with a pink logo but I wore it out of respect for the teenager who the race is named after. The young man died a few years ago in a skiing accident. I have a 4 mile race coming up this Saturday called May the Music Live On in honor of a former teacher, musician, and runner. Think I'm going to change up my training routine a little and do more speed work on the track. Was dissapointed at the Spurs and their pitiful performance last night against the Hornets. Chris Paul makes Tony Parker look like he's playing in quicksand. Hope the Spurs have waht it takes to win out starting on Thursday.

That's what I get for not training.

Ran my first 8k this past Saturday and really thought I was going to die about halfway through it. I wasn't dying from the course but rather from the embarrassment of being beaten by a 70 year old woman named Phyliss. I recently joined a softball team and hurt myself running the bases on Thursday night thus leading to my miserable performance on Saturday. With teaching and coaching responsibilities, not to mention my duties as a father and husband, really cut into my training. The fact that I have been lazy doesn't really help either. Have a 5k race this Saturday and another on Sunday. Think I'll take it easy on the bases this week. Rehearsals for Grease are going pretty good right now. The kids are excited about puting the show on at the end of May. Life is good here in the sun city.

El Paso Parks

One of the great things I love about living in El paso is their parks. Corpus Christi has nothing on this place. Just read an article in the Corpus paper where their premiere park was shut down for a few days because it was being overrun by rats. We have plenty of nice parks here that are clean and safe. Playground equipment is top notch and grafitti is almost non-existent. People have negative sterotypes about El Paso but the quality of life is actually very good. This is a great place to raise kids. Sports programs, cultural events. festivals, etc. are abundant. There is always something to do. Kids are having a blast. Think we made a good choice in moving here. I do miss my family and only wish they were here to experience what I get to see everyday.

Little League Opening Day

Stevo and his team had their opening day ceremonies this past Saturday. His team is pretty talented and they should do well this season. His basketball team also won this past weekend. They remain udefeated with only three games left to go. Love being a father.

Conquered the Mountain!!!

This morning I ran the Transmountain 20k and survived! Feel great about battling the mountain and coming out on top. This was one of the hardest things I hae ever had to do in my life. The elevation and the incline was tough to dael with. Finished the reace at 2:18. Really felt strong about an hour into the race. Will take a week off then will push for a personal PR in the Sembra Salud 5k at Ascarate Park. Addicted to running. Great way to get my mind off things that are stressful.

Stevo's Baseball Team

Stevo started his baseball season yesterday with a big win. He batted three times and scored one run. Plays for the Rangers in the Frank Manning Little League.

Stevo's Basketball Team Undefeated

Stevo's team is currently undefeated after 7 games into the season. He only has a few basketball games left and will start to focus on baseball in the next couple of weeks. His baseball team starts their season this Thursday. Proud of him.

Running Transmountain 20k this Sunday

Had a longer time recovering from the el paso half-marathon than I thought. Knees took a pounding and I'm still not sure I'm back to 100%. Inspired by my sister to complete this next race. My baby sister is in a terible situation and will be in that situation for a very long time. Feel guilty because I am not there for her or m family but getting back to Corpus is just something I am unable to do right now. When I get tired on the course I think of Val and and the pain seems to go way. Helps me to get angry at the situation. The course is up transmountain and will be the biggest challenge for me yet. Ran 5 miles today and felt ok but not completely at full strength. Glad I have found running to relieve my stress. Sometimes think it is pointless because I never get anywhere but it does help me spiritually and mentally. Talked to the speech coach Eastwood this past weekend and look forward to working with him and other actors in the area on creating a new theatre company that will highlight Chicano and Ethnic theatre here in El Paso. There really is no opportunity to get on stage so we figured we would create our own opportunities. The first project we are looking at producing in Roosters by Milcha Scott-Sanchez. Really have a good feeling about the project. One-Act play competition is on Monday and the kids seem ready. Don;t know waht to expect this year. Think we have the show to go far but never can tell how it will turn out. Overall, life is life. It don't matter how many times you get knocked down by a right uppercut, the only thing that matters is if you keep answering the bell.

El Paso Marathon

Ran the El Paso half marathon this past Sunday and actually survived to write about it. Felt really good throughout the race. Discoverd these great energy packets that I drank during the race that really helped me battle through the course. Jess got me an ipod that made the time go by pretty quick during the race. Finished the course in 2:25. I know this isn't a record breaking time but it was a personal best. My legs felt crippled and old a few hours after I had finished. Couldn't even make it up the stairs at the house. Feel 100% beter today. Think I will take a break and not run an 8k this weekend. Next big challenge will the be the El Paso Transmountain 20 k on March 16. The race will be at a higher elevation with a steep incline throughout the course. Don't think I'm quite ready for a marathon but look forward to being ready to run the San Antonio marathon later on this year.