Take me out to the ballgame...

Last night we started a family tradition with the girls. We took them to their first major league baseball game (the first one that they may actually remember--there was that time that I nursed Haley on the concrete floor in the bathroom at a Seattle Mariners game.) I loved going to baseball games growing up and have vivid and fond memories of watching the Cardinals play in Busch Stadium in St. Louis. It is one of my most favorite childhood memories. And ironically enough, last night's game was the Astros vs. the St. Louis Cardinals (I felt a little inner turmoil but we decided to route for the 'stros..the Cards just haven't held the same place in my heart since Whitey Herzog and Ozzie Smith left.)
There is nothing like walking towards the stadium with crowds of people wearing supportive jerseys, ready to cheer and be united in a cause...its nearly breathtaking to walk into the stadium where you catch a glimpse for the first time, the illuminating lights, the bright green field against fresh dirt and crisp chalk lines. And the food, don't even get me started. I love it. I don't especially love to watch sports, but I love going to baseball games. Where else can you feel totally guiltless throwing peanut shells on the floor and yelling at the top of your lungs?
We took the two older girls and had a blast. Abby sat on Clark's lap and Haley sat with me as we each explained the game. Haley giggled excitedly every time I told her that something meant that "he is OUT!" She was completely entertained by the fact that the grown men had to go and sit back down if they couldn't hit the ball. They were so excited.
Haley and I stood in line for food and returned to our seats 45 minutes later, $40 poorer and two and a half innings later (we even missed a homerun which is the worst at an Astros game because there is a huge train that blows its whistle and moves!) Abby became increasingly docile and complained of a tummy ache. When a small child says her stomach hurts you don't fool around, so we left early (you really sit too closely to the people in front of you to chance anything--besides, Haley had already dropped her pizza on the lady in front of us...vomit would have been just plain rude.)

I like this picture because you can see me in the backround coaxing Abby to please throw up INTO the large fry cup.
We spent an inning or so watching the game from a lower deck. Once we actually left the inside Abby started to feel better so we figured our little princess just couldn't hack the height of our assigned seats. Oh well, next time we'll have to get box seats to avoid the vertigo.
The crowning moment for me had to be when Haley untucked her shirt to wipe her mouth. When I started to groan she said, "don't worry, I'll tuck it back in." That was good enough for me.