The Party!!

So as I mentioned in a previous birthday post, all Alex wanted to do was play a baseball game for his birthday. I wasn't really feeling this because it's hot and let's be honest, I didn't think anyone else would like it. Not that it mattered because it was his birthday, but still. Anyway. He continued to request this game so I decided to figure out how to make it work. I like organizing and planning parties and I thought if this is all he wants...JUST DO IT!

I started investigating how to reserve the gym for a few hours at the community center because I still wasn't trying to be outside (hot). While the cost was reasonable, I just wasn't ready to commit. There were also 3 baseball fields near my parents house that if we went out there at the right time, it might be alright. So I started checking the field for shade around the time I was thinking of having the party. When I saw shade on the lower field around 6pm, I said let's do it!

The invitation went out and informed everyone that Alex was expecting both young and the more "senior-ed" guest to play. While the game was the priority and simple food (hotdogs) was on the menu, I still had to make it slightly a little more baseball themed. You'll see in the pictures.

Game/party day came and the field was shady as expected so I was happy. Still hot, but we had coolers on deck so no dehydration. The laughter behind everyone playing and having fun was in full effect so the fun began. I have no idea how the teams were picked, but we all got out there. It kinda ended up Alex and whoever he wanted vs. Mommy and the rest of the folks.

1st up - Alex Whitaker

No waiting in the dugout, just stand around.

Tony giving that ball all he had as if there was a prize.

Next Team up...
Go Me! Oh wait is that headed right at Charles (the pitcher)

Jonathan

Some haters trying to block me from getting to second base.

Play Ball!

Young and "senior-ed" honoring Alex's wishes

This picture makes me so happy. There were sooooo many people on that field. Hahaha!
Honored that so many people participated.

Uncle Randy for the pop up. Hahaha. Sike. I don't remember.

Partners

Yep Nana played+ too!

Well Alana couldn't play and stayed on that side of the fence so that she wouldn't get in the way.

My little touches of the baseball theme coming out.

When is the last time you had Cracker Jacks?

Whitaker Field

Alex and Friends

Yes to the baseball pinata!

She may not have been able to play baseball, but she did ask to swing at the pinata.

The candy pick up before you go home and eat it.

While I didn't do number 6 cookies b/c let's face it during the move I'm not sure where the cookie cutters are, I decided on a baseball cake.

It was cool, but I'll keep showing you pictures from an angle. Hahahaha!

However, Alex knew it was a baseball so I didn't care what anyone else thought.
Oh yeah, I made it (chocolate cake as requested).

Yes he's blowing out the candles, but do you see the bags of peanuts on the table. Yes more little baseball theme touches. I had bags of popcorn and some Big League bubble gum too.

Some of the smaller guest. It was a pleasure having young and "senior-ed". 

I'm so glad we went thru with Alex's wishes! This was so fun! Not just my own judgement, but others saying how much fun they had. While we didn't play the game for long and the score didn't really matter, the laughs and smiles are great memories. Alex saw me typing this blog and has now asked me to print some of the pictures. So I'm off to my next task.

Happy Birthday Alex

I don't get emotional on my kid's birthdays, but I do remember them quite well.Well enough that I feel like I should take their birthday off instead of my own. Memories of who I was talking to while I was waiting for the hospital to call (to come in) to being shivering cold after surgery to having amazing hospital food.

While I remember the birth...I think Alex will remember his 6th birthday for a while.
It was a pretty awesome day!

For the longest time, all he said he wanted to do for his birthday was play a baseball game. Charles and I explained to him that his friends might not be into baseball like he was so playing an entire game was not going to be fun for them and was not going to happen. When we help Alex understand the way things are going to work in advance, he's good. So he had several weeks to understand a full game was not going down.

He knew the party would happen on a weekend, but his actual birthday was on a Wednesday. Now I'm fine with parties being before or after, but I feel like something should be done on the actual birthday. So we gave him options. Go play video games at arcade, go to restaurant, go to a baseball game. Well he told me that after camp he wanted to come home, order $66 worth of things on his Amazon wish list with his own money and play his baseball video game. Uhhh ok...but internally no. So we worked on him a little more and he finally decided on going to the Durham Bulls game. Now I'll be honest, I didn't feel like taking Alana out there so I was totally fine if just the guys went. Alana and I would be fine...right. at. home. HOWEVER, when Charles called and told me that they could put Alex's name on the board, I knew I had to be there. Just to see the joy on his face! So off to the game we went.

The game started at 7:05pm. We didn't buy tickets in advance and in order for us to request the special message we had to do it within the 1st inning. Well guess what.........TRAFFIC....twice before even getting close to the stadium. Inside I was totally starting to feel disappointed, but I remained hopeful with my foot on the gas. We got there. Charles got out to handle the business and we went and parked off in yonder. So much for getting Dad's handicap pass. Well we made it in and after we got in, Charles tells me that we JUST MADE it for the special message. THANK GOD!!!

Arrival

He doesn't mind sitting with a stationary character, but he's not for the ones that walk around.
Hahahaha!

Great view. Nice weather.

And then the 5th inning came. Special messages time. Now we didn't know if it would be top of the 5th, middle, end or what, but by the 5th inning I knew I needed to be in my seat with my camera. Well, my uncle and I had just returned from getting food for everyone when the top of the 5th started. I heard nothing and saw nothing, so no problem. Then after 3 outs, I barely heard the announcer say something about recognizing special people. I said "Alex, guess what other people are celebrating their birthdays today too. Look at the board." He had NO CLUE! So we watched and waited and waited and then
 

THERE IT WAS

Middle line - Happy Birthday Alex Whitaker 6 Years Old

And this look was the reason I knew I had to be there. To see and capture it for myself.

This was not a say cheese moment. That is genuine happiness/excitement!

Proud parent moment.

Yeah Alex!
In true parent style, I was clapping and making sure people around us knew it was his birthday. Hahaha. So several strangers told him Happy Birthday. Then he became a "shy guy". Whatever!

Loving it!

Next inning - They the Bulls hit a HOME RUN
so the bull's eyes flashed red and smoke came from his nose.

Happy Birthday Alex from the girls!

All smiles

Family picture!

No, I do not understand why Charles does not fix Alana's clothes.

It was great having Uncle Randy celebrate with us. He's back on the East Coast.

Had to get one with myself in it. 

Charles says this is his signature pose. No clue where it came from.

So after a quick walk around the stadium as Charles and Alex were returning to their seats someone hits a foul ball. Alex continues down the stairs closer to the field and holds his hands up like other people who want the ball thrown to them. Well people see Alex and start pointing for the player to throw it to him. Perhaps it was my loud clapping and their looking back from earlier which made them remember it was his birthday. Well with hands ready (no glove...left at home) 

ALEX CATCHES THE BALL. 

DROP THE MIC! Nothing else can top this. 

He's super excited!! 

He proclaims this is the best birthday ever. 

I ask can we cancel the party. Hahahaha! Of course I get a No.

We left before the game ended because nothing else matter. However, the Durham Bulls did win!

Next up...the party.

A.T.L Part 1

Well this year's summer vacation was a trip to Atlanta, Georgia.

I knew Atlanta would be fun, but when we talked about it before my mind was dreading the 6 hour car trip with the kids. This year because we hadn't been anywhere else and the summer was running out, I said "Let's Do It!" I'll let the pictures and captions tell most of the story, but basically it went like this... We left early Sunday morning, had a great trip down, we jumped right into daily activities, were back in the hotel by 7pm almost every night, by 8pm Charles and I were looking at each other like it's still light outside, but guess that's a wrap huh...yep, we left of Wednesday!

Sunday - Day 1

Centennial Park

What kid doesn't want to walk as close to the water as possible.
Monkey see, Monkey Do - Alex got up there first and Alana was right behind him.

They were saying "ATLANTA"

I love the Olympic spirit still around the town.

Had to run off 6 hours of riding before our 1st site seeing stop.

1st stop - Children's Museum of Atlanta

At school she loves housekeeping, so this kitchen and all this play food was RIGHT up her alley.

Her favorite customer is patiently waiting.

At the painting station I had to let them know who was in the building!

Over in the farm section, I convinced Alex to take this picture in overalls for his Uncle Steve who has garden. He doesn't grow corn, but he understood the connection.

He couldn't wait to get out of those overalls and steer this construction truck to pick up balls, steer it to another location and drop them off.

Then it was back to the park.

My amateur photography

Frozen treats before slashing around

 Centennial Olympic Fountain of Rings Splashpad

 Jumping right in

 Fountain of Rings Slashpad full effect

Very refreshing to the kids on a warm Sunday. Off to the hotel for showers and pizza. 

Monday - Day 2

 Georgia Aquarium
I love that they have each other to experience things with.

                                     The wall was first blue (see above) then it turned green.

 Albino Crocodile - I don't think I'd ever seen one.

 Some very playful dolphins

 We did enjoy the Dolphin Celebration, but you couldn't take pictures of that show.
It was nice that the celebration was included with the admission price and not something additional. Attrations usually try to gas you for all they can.

 Penguins

 Before the Dolphin Celebration started (when we could take pics)

 

Who does she think she is?

Beautiful fish

Just us.
Yes, that's the camera around his neck. He does enjoy taking pictures.
 

On the moving sidewalk, looking up at fish, sting rays, etc.

 

 Bye Bye Baby Jaws

Everywhere you go. Atlanta is reppin' their city.
Does your city do that?

Ok. That's Part 1. We've had some other awesome events to occur so I'll pause Atlanta just for a minute.