THE OL' BALLGAME!!

Tonight was Matthew's first experience at a real Tiger ballgame! He was excited about it, and we were excited about taking him. Just like his daddy, he is liking all kinds of sports and already knows the Detroit teams and some others. (Boston is one of Bob's favorites and it just happened that the Tigers were playing them tonight. So Matthew wore a Tiger shirt and a Boston hat of Bob's.)

Here we are starting out from home all exuberant about going to the game. It was a beautiful night for a ballgame - just comfortable, sunny weather!

We started out eating in the restaurant inside the ballpark. Matthew had already eaten at home, so he just had some french fries - he was really wanting to get inside the actual ballpark and it seemed a long wait.

 

Matthew is going to wonder in years to come where his grandma was at all of these events. I am always the one TAKING the pictures! Matthew wanted his own seat and is very comfortable here watching the ballgame! Fortunately there was always an extra seat nearby for one of us to sit, so Matthew had his own seat for at least part of the game. But, like any two and a half year old, he didn't stay seated for long. It was more fun to climb up and down and play with Grandpa.

Daddy and Grandpa would run down to the front with him between innings hoping that one of the nice players would throw him a ball. No luck! Here are Matthew, his dad and mom. I think that Matthew was really having a great time!

My blogging skills are lacking because this picture got out of order. While we were waiting for the check at the restaurant, Bob took Matthew outside to see the ferris wheel. He decided he didn't want to go on it. I think it was still a bit scary for him. He was very intrigued here by the huge blimp flying overhead.

What is a ballgame without food? Matthew is munching on a hot pretzel while intently watching the field. We also had Cracker Jacks!

This picture got in twice!! I'm losing it!

So did this one!

AND THIS ONE! The preview didn't show them, so I added them again! Honestly, not my fault! I've tried to delete them, to no avail.

What good is a grandpa if you can't get him to buy you something? The vendor went by very close to Matthew with all this great stuff. He saw Terry - he knew a sucker when he saw one! Matthew liked his very cute tiger.

We were lucky enough to be able to meet the real "PAWS". Matthew thought that he was a real tiger! He wasn't afraid and went right up to him, but did not want to sit on his lap for a picture. You have to draw the line somewhere!

It was a long, but fun game and little Matthew is beginnning to tucker out. The eyes are getting sleepy and the exciting evening is taking its toll - besides not having had a nap!

As the game wound down, and the Tigers lost to Boston :( , Matthew was out like a light! He didn't even know that the Tigers lost and we were on our way home! It was a wonderful night - a LONG game (over three hours), and Matthew's first experience with A REAL BALL GAME!