Take me out to the ball game

One of Scott's co-workers/friends offered him 4 tickets to last night's Redbirds' game. We've been talking about going for some time, but the heat had been so unbearable, it just wasn't in the cards. Luckily, we've had the most beautiful weather around here the last few days and last night was no exception, so we gladly accepted them. The kids and I picked Daddy up at work and headed straight to the park.

In my opinion, the only thing more American that a good ol' game of baseball, is the mandatory hot dog you eat at the park. So we got ourselves some hot dogs and drinks and enjoyed dining al fresco on their picnic tables while the Redbirds warmed up.

I have to admit, both Scott and I had some reservations about how the whole thing would play out with regards to the kids, but we were pleasantly surprised at how well they behaved and how much fun they actually had.

We had FABULOUS seats ~ first row right behind the Redbirds' dugout.  The kids love being so close to the action. Not to mention how excited they got every single time they got to see Rocky Redbird up close.

On our way into the park, someone stopped us and asked if Isabella could be a part of a promotion they were doing. Sure, we said! As it turns out, she was a Delta Dental tooth fairy and she got to run the bases between the third and fourth innings, and "clean" them with one of the Redbirds girls. I cannot even begin to tell you how excited she was!

I was actually concerned that she would see the crowd and back out at the last minute. I mean, she didn't even know what the bases were. But, nope! They introduced her and she took off running and did her thing and the crowd went wild! She looked SO cute!

Ha! She's even dressed like the Redbirds girl!

Her Daddy asked her if she heard the crowd cheer her on, but she said she didn't. Apparently she was too focused on the task at hand. 

The one thing I am KICKING myself about is the fact that in the midst of all the excitement, I totally forgot to take a picture of the jumbotron while it had her on it. UGH!!! Oh, well,...

Anyway, while Isabella was off wowing the crowd with her adorableness (is that even a word?), Sam was pretty upset that he was not allowed to go down on the field. So he decided to spend most of his time eating and drinking his sorrows away. Literally, the boy ate and drank his weight in junk food. Every single time I looked over at him he was eating/drinking something. You think I'm kidding? See for yourself:

Exhibit A: stuffing himself with Cracker Jack

  

Exhibit B: drinking an obscene amount of lemonade

  

Exhibit C: eating his Dippin' Dots ice cream

Exhibit D: Going to town on the peanuts

 

Don't worry, the Miller Lite was NOT his :)

Not pictured are the hot dog he ate immediately upon arrival and a bag of popcorn.

It's a really good thing the tickets were free, since we pretty much left this month's car payment at the park paying for all the junk food that was consumed.

At the top of the sixth inning the kids begged us to go to the playground, so we did. They played and played until the game was over and it was time to leave.

A great time was had by all and that was most evident by the smiles on our faces on the way home and the way we all passed out last night, without anyone putting up a single fight.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful and safe Fourth of July weekend!