First Baseball Game

This weekend we went to our first ever baseball game - the Portland Sea Dogs.  I think if Joel Andrew didn't have poopy problems (good thing Mom brought extra underwear and shorts) and if James Morris didn't have attitude problems (he would not sit still) - it would have been the most awesome outing ever!

The seats are super cheap, there was a band playing outside when we got there, beer's were $5 (compared to Fenway, where they must be like $8+?!) - Every seat has a great view, and who actually watches baseball when at a baseball game anyway?  It was a perfect first game place to take your kiddos, and now I kinda want to go to more of the baseball fields.  There are a ton of the AA around here and I think we should check all of them out!

The only thing is trying to keep James quiet during all of the happenings of the game.  Is it just that he is too little?  He cannot stop moving… And it drives us all crazy.  Joel Andrew never really went through this phase.  He listened and did what he was told to do.  So, this is all throwing us for a loop.  James is defiant, and can be a bit of a massive turd bucket as I call him (aren't I nice?).  Any suggestions for dealing with this guy, and making him listen better/calm down more?

All should go to AA games, super fun, super inexpensive, and the kids love it.  Can't wait to try it again when stomachs and manners are in order!

Wife-Carrying Competition

This weekend we went up to Sunday River, it is tradition that on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend there is the North American Wife Carrying competition.  This is no joke people, crazies flew in all the way from Finland to win this year.  As you may guess, we did not participate, we just watch.

It is a good time because the competition takes place right under our condo.  So, you can just sit up there with your bloody mary and watch it all take place.  It is also peak for leaves usually, so it is just a beautiful view of the mountain.  Lots of additional festivities take place, including a tent with beer and a roped off area (gotta love Maine, if you went to college in this state you would extra-appreciate this!), a craft fair, live music, a wood carving show, horse rides, scenic tours up the top of the mountain, all sorts of food and ski sales.

Of course we walked the craft fair, and I got a nice toy box for the kiddos, as well as an awesome coat rack, made out of the tips of skis.  Pretty psyched for that one.  Otherwise, the crafts were kind of bleak.  Actually, sadly a ton less than in years past...  But, it seems as though they made up for it in the entertainment and activity category.  Even Auntie Jennie made it on the stage to sing for the live event.

The gondola ride to the top was the best!  The boys were too little to walk down, but maybe we will in a few years.  At the top of the mountain there was an open bar, which Joel Husband and I gladly partook of...  We were those people, chasing after a toddler and a preschooler, while holding glasses of wine and captain and coke.  I was worried that child services might take me away, and then I spotted about 50 other parents doing the same thing.  Again, I love Maine.

We all had nice bonding time.  Mommy even got a nap, and the Joels went to the pool.  Auntie Jennie and Mommy got to go shopping too, and I now am the proud owner of a nice "I love Apres" shirt.  Sadly, while walking out with my purchase I saw someone else that was wearing a shirt that said: "First Chair. Last Call."  Damn.  I need that one.  Joel Husband said I should get one that says: "First Chair.  3 hour nap.  Last call." He is probably right.

Our annual fun in the fall weekend was a hit!  We didn't make it last year, I am guessing because of craziness with the two boys, but we will make it again next year for sure!

First Patriots Game!

Today we took Joel Andrew to his first Patriots game, in Chicago! Each year Joel Husband and I take a trip to somewhere new to see an away football game. It is sort of our thing. We get to see the country, and the Patriots play! So far we have been to Nashville, Atlanta, Miami (twice), San Diego, San Francisco, Jacksonville and of course Gillette. Anyway, this year it was Chicago we finally crossed off our list (the last time the Pats played here they were redoing Solider Field), and the little guy got to come!
Grumpy scored perfect seats in the United Club. We were under an overhang so sheltered from the snow and wind. It was pretty cold, but we were prepared with thermal underwear and lots of layers. The little guy actually sat still on my lap for a while watching the game. He was having a great time!
Because we were in a Club, we got to go indoors and find a seat to enjoy a hot dog and some chips. He made fast friends. Another plus of having a baby at a football game, you get to use the guarded Family Restroom and not wait on the enormous line. We all just kept handing off the baby one by one and going into the family restroom!
At the end of the game, which we killed the Bears by the way, Joel Husband sat at the end of the aisle with Joel Andrew and Joel Andrew just waved at all the Bears fans as the left in disgrace. He high-fived all the Pats fans that were there! He did such a good job and had a great time. Grumpy did an excellent job planning the day and getting us such awesome, perfect seats! Nothing could have been better!
The walk home was a little tough, the Chicago police force needs to not block the roads to livery vehicles, but in true Joel-Husband fashion he got a cab out of nowhere and wisked the kiddo home to the apt. Where a very dirty diaper sat beneath eight layers of clothes. (yes, although we made frequent visits to the family restroom there was no way we were going spelunking under all those layers to get a new diaper on him at the stadium...).

A very happy first game indeed!