Take Me Out to the Ball Game

We had a jam-packed weekend, the ball game being only part of it. On Friday evening, we went to our neighborhood "Spring Fling," where all the shops and art galleries are open late with food and drinks, and some have live music outside (along with displays of goods - like a sidewalk sale). Anyway, we walked over from our friends house to see one of their favorite bands. The music was eclectic - ranging from flamenco to irish to kind of new wave. It was really good. Natalie had fun playing with Allison and a little girl from school, Rescie, whose parents are friends with our friends. Owen enjoyed dancing to the music and playing with the girls, and being a gentleman - a couple weeks ago as he & Natalie were fighting over who would go out the door first, I explained to him that gentlemen let ladies go first. And it stuck, and since then he's very keen on being a gentleman. He also spent part of the evening trying to find a way to insert himself into a game of catch going on between some older boys. Henry spent the evening napping in the stroller. During a break between sets, Natalie decided she had to meet all of the band members and worked her way into talking to all of them.

On Saturday after Natalie had a full run-through rehearsal for her recital at ballet, I set up a sprinkler for Natalie and Owen to play in. They had a blast! In the afternoon, we had yet another birthday party at Pump It Up - this seems to be the location of choice lately. This was for a little girl in Owen's class. Her older sister, Grace, is Natalie's best friend so Nat was invited too. It was fun. Ike & I enjoyed the slides too (along with lots of other parents), and we all joked we needed to have an adult party there. After the party, Natalie and Owen went to the Rainbow Kids babysitting program, and Ike, Henry, & I went out for mexican (and margaritas!!) - just squash and bananas for Henry.

On Sunday we went out for breakfast and then Ike took Owen to an Astros game. Initially we were all going to go, but we decided it would be good Daddy & Owen bonding time. Owen has been really excited all week, singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at every meal and before bed, and he's been talking about having cracker jacks. They had a good time. Owen was really excited about the train at the stadium, especially after Berkman hit a home run and it started up. While they were gone, I took Natalie and Henry to the playground, where we stayed for a while since "red cheeks" (Owen) wasn't with us (he gets so hot and sweaty!). We then came home and Natalie colored rainbows and other decorations in the backyard with some new chalk I got her.

So it was a full weekend, lots of fun, and we are all very tired!