Though we had plans to go to Stanley Park this morning for a big pop-up play date, Brad called as we were headed out the door to let us know the ultimate frisbee tournament he was coaching at was just a few blocks from our house. Not having time to do both, I let Miss G make the decision… Her choice? The tournament. I’m willing to guess that Papa + his students + live sports would beat out a playground visit any day. While we were there, the girls absolutely showered her with attention. She got hugs, secret handshake lessons, flower crowns, bubbles blown for her, and plenty of in unison ‘Awwwwwww!’s. It was a good morning.
♥
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Being that the game started at 1:00 and we needed to arrive at noon, I knew it wouldn’t be an easy outing for Miss G. With her normal lunch time being just before noon and her usual nap time being between noon and 1:00, we were pushing it to say the least. Since Grae was born, we’ve always put her sleep ahead of outings and events, so skipping a nap or sleeping while out and about just aren’t things she’s used to. But…. If you can’t delay nap time for a live Patriots game, then what can you delay one for then, right? ☺
We came armed with the Ergo, a yummy lunch, tons of special treats (roasted cashews, apple chips, just fruit fruit snacks, and wholewheat bunny crackers), a pair of 
It was an awesome game, and despite the fact that the Pats were ahead by quite a bit for most of it, it was one of those games where you just knew anything could happen.
Despite the great game, Grae was more interested in eating, climbing on and off chairs, watching the neighbouring fans, and the ‘dancing pink ladies’ (the cheerleaders with pink boots) than anything else. She did fairly well considering the circumstances, but I’d be lying if I said it was easy to wrangle an overtired, squirmy two year old without a seat of her own for a three hour game during her normal nap time. All I have to say is thank goodness for Grandma Charlotte’s purse full of goodies during the last quarter… A package of Band-Aids quickly became our best friend.
Sadly, the Patriots weren’t playing their best, and in the {crazy} last minute and a half of play, the Seahawks got control of the ball, scored a touchdown, and won the game by one point. Ugh. Not what we were hoping for, but what can you do?
On the plus side, Grae fell asleep almost immediately once we started walking out of the stadium and caught up on a few much needed moments of sleep.
Although Gracen watches very little television, one thing that kind of slips under the radar is watching sports with her Papa. For the last couple of months now, they’ve been all about baseball. Brad gives her a simple play-by-play of the game, and she tells him what she sees and shouts “Run, run, run!!!” as the players make their way around the bases. We’ve even started singing ‘Take Me Out to the Ball Game’ as a bedtime song. It’s pretty cute that she’s so into it.
With this newfound interest in baseball, we’ve been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to take Grae to her first live game. And today that day finally arrived.
Being that the afternoon games start at 1 and last a few hours, we decided that Bradley would go for the start of the game with Uncle Brett, Grae would have her usual 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. nap, and she and I would join halfway through. Of course, on the rare day that we planned something for right after her nap, my little consistent as can be 2 hour napper slept for an extra half hour. Not to worry though, we scored a sweet parking spot and arrived at the top of the 5th inning with plenty of game left to enjoy.
When we first sat down {in our very crowded row surrounded by people chanting and shouting} Grae was a little overwhelmed, but she quickly settled on my lap and enjoyed her bag of stove-top popcorn while watching the game as if it was what she does every saturday afternoon.
Although she was very interested in the game, she was equally interested in the bear mascots that came out in between innings. Motioning with her little pointer, she called out “Clum, clum bear!” (come, come bear!) in hopes of one coming our way. When they’d head off the field instead, she sadly say, “More bear. More bear, please, Mama.”
Despite the bears not complying with her requests, she contently took in the game, shifted from lap to lap, gobbled up ALL of the special ball game treats I’d packed for her (stove-top popcorn, 2 ingredient ice cream – both banana and mango, in-shell peanuts, and an 
Afterwards, we made our way down to the field for a few pictures and a closer view of the bears. Kids were actually invited to run the bases during this time, but it didn’t look like parents could accompany their munchkins and we were a little unsure that she’d know what to do. Next summer, maybe!
She did, however, get a close encounter with the Canadians bear, who was {of course} much cooler when looking much smaller from further away.
In the end, we left with a little lady begging for “More ball” and a promise to be back very soon. And that we will.