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.