July 2

It was a day of performances for us.

Up first was the makeup for last night's canceled Nationals game in DC. We'd never been to the ballpark before, and were impressed by how easy it was to get from the parking garage to the stadium (especially since we ponied up and paid for the closest garage). Given that I didn't bring a cap on the trip and my forehead got a bit crispy yesterday, the first thing I did when we walked through the gates was ask to buy a hat, so off to the team store we went. There were a wide variety to choose from, and my eye quickly landed on a white one featuring embroidered flowers. (It's pretty, and sometimes I just appreciate pretty!) The kiddos also got hats, so our domes were well-protected from the sun.

The seats we had along the third base line were good, but although it was cooler than yesterday (by a lot) the sun was still hot, so we migrated to the shade shortly after the game started and after we'd finished our $5 Tuesday concession treats. (I do love a giant soft pretzel.) That was about the time that a random post I made on Facebook led me to discover that Iris and her family were also at the game and sitting in section 110 -- just a few away from our seats in 113. It was good to have the chance to connect with her since she was unable to attend our EGG get-together on Monday. (And she would like everyone to know that the picture here was staged to show the field in her sunglasses. She is not, in fact, a weirdo who just makes that expression on an everyday basis.)

Anyway, the game itself was a bit of a clunker for the Nats, as the starting pitcher gave up 6 runs in the top of the first inning and they wound up losing to Detroit 11-2, but I'm thankful to have had the chance to go to the game and to share a new ballpark experience with my people.

Conscious that traffic is unpredictable, we left after the eighth inning to drive to Toby's Dinner Theater, where we met my mom for dinner and a production of "The Little Mermaid." The show was entertaining and cute, and I was gratified that all three kids seemed engrossed in the action. (And the boys were in full little brother mode as they relentlessly teased Abby about Waiter Joey, who portrayed Jetsam.) We don't see live plays or musicals often at all, so it was a blessing to see them engaged with the production. 

Finally, during a stop at grandma's house to pick up some clothes we left behind, Isaac started to feel sentimental so he sat in the office for a while, just looking at his great-grandpa's awards and records and photos. While he walked down memory lane, the rest of us stood out on the driveway and look up at the sky. We could make out more than 13 stars. (I wrote that last sentence when I was extremely tired. My brother and children insisted that I leave that very honest and very true sentence as-is.)

So that's the update for today. I'm thankful for my family and for nostalgic feelings that take me back in time.