Take Me Out to the Ball Game

aka "Me see hit ball guys"

Uncle Dave the Great (aka Uncle Coach) and Peter's baseball team traveled to Springfield to play a couple games last week. 

We were lucky enough to be able to join in on their morning activity of bowling...

Peter was clearly more fascinating to watch than the ball

And watch their game that evening...

Peter gave Rudy one of their balls and Rudy was so impressed.  He didn't let that ball out of his sight for a very long time.  He was so proud to show it off, too ("See! Pete! Ball!")

Give the girl some pop-pop and she is so happy!

All the excitement really wore out my boys - after putting Avery to bed I came back to find them fast asleep...

The second game was the next morning, and Ray and LeeAnn were nice enough to go with so we could all go (I'm not in any shape to chase two kids around a baseball field, especially when they both tend to run in opposite directions!).

Rudy liked to watch the game, but he also spent a lot of time playing baseball himself behind the stands with the big kids.  Riley happened to be at the game with some of his friends and Rudy had a great time playing ball with them.

And Avery wondered around in every direction

Rudy was infatuated, in awe, star-struck, mesmerized, etc at Peter and the team…

We went on the field after the game and it was so hard to get Rudy to leave.  He was in heaven.  He threw some balls to Pete and Pete pitched some balls to Rudy.  

Happy girl :)

And when it was Rudy's turn to hit, he would run and slide into second base...

Afterwards we went to lunch with Grandma Cicci and sat and had the leftovers as soon as we got home… these kids could spend every waking minute outdoors!

But at least it wears them out!  Baby Ben makes a good pillow while we settle down for nap time :)

It took a couple days for Rudy to stop asking to go to a ball game every morning.  Poor kid.  He sure loves baseball!