Columbus Crew!

The weekend finally came when we surprised Blake with tickets to the Columbus Crew/FC Dallas game!  I LOVE surprises and I'm glad Blake does, too!  He was over the moon last Friday.  He had no clue where we were going.  I packed the bags, loaded the car, and when Billy came home from work; we left!  YAY!  Blake kept himself so occupied that he didn't even notice when we left Indiana!  He finally realized we were headed to Columbus when we were ten minutes from the stadium.  I tossed him his Columbus Crew jersey and told him to put it on!  He was ecstatic!  I could have yelled, "April fools."  That would have been funny.  But.....I didn't!

We had a GREAT time at the game even though we froze half to death (for reals.  Like I was sure I would have to amputate my frozen appendages).  Here are some pros and cons of our MLS game experience:

Pros:  1.  We got there so early, Blake was able to score SEVERAL (7 to be exact...including both team coaches and the star player for the Crew) autographs.  Why?  Because 2.  Our seats were AWESOME!!  We were row 4 straight up from the pitch and we were by the player's tunnel.  3.  Columbus won 2-0.  4.  Blake was able to go onto the pitch after the game!  Woo hoo!  He got to take a shot on goal (he made it)!  5.  The Hudson Street Hooligan section.  Yeah.  They were awesome.  It may have been cold but that rowdy section wasn't bothered at all!  They were singing and cheering with the best of them.  Confession:  I wish I was a part of the hooligans.  For reals.  If I ever move to Columbus......

Cons:  1.  We got there so early that it contributed to our nearly freezing to death.  It was only 40 something degrees and I was ill prepared.  2.  I didn't bring blankets and I only remembered gloves for Lola.  Oops.  3.  Lola was super cold and had to go thaw out in the car at halftime.  4.  It was really cold.  Oh wait.  I think I already mentioned that.  Well.  It was.  Really.  Cold.

Columbus Crew.....you are fun to watch (even if we aren't big MLS fans....we enjoy English soccer a wee bit more)!  But we love you, Crew and we love your motto:  Work hard.  Play harder.  I think I will follow that motto.  I think I already do.  Never mind.  Anyway, the point is....we had lots of fun.  Even if it was super duper freezing.

Blake and I with the stadium behind us.  And yes, Blake did put on his winter coat shortly after this!

We brought Flat Stanley with us (we are doing a project for a friend).  And typical Lola isn't looking at the camera.  Surprise!

Word!

Blake getting the autograph of Julius James!

View of how awesome our seats were!

Blake running out on the field!

Getting ready to kick!



Watching the ball go in the net.  I wasn't able to capture that, of course (I'm not the best photographer).  But I did get the before and after! :)

Blake's program with all the autographs!



Bobcat!

Blake had his first pack meeting last Thursday!  He worked extra hard so he could get his first badge!  HOORAY!  So he has his bobcat!  And we were lucky enough to see about FIVE minutes of it. I kept trying to tell Lola she needed to be quiet so we could watch Blake.  She replied (very loudly), "NO BLAKE.  NO BLAKE."  It was awesome and not at all embarrassing.  Sheesh.  At least I was able to stay in the room long enough for Blake to pin the bobcat on my shirt!  Had I known I was going up in front of a room full of people, I might have taken my jacket and sunglasses off and stuff.  Oh well!  It was fun!  I apologize the pictures are mostly blurry.  Yeah.  It's a common occurrence with me.  And this time I can't blame my cell phone.

Disregard ME in this photo.  UGH.  But Blake is cute!

The stuff Lola decided to do during the meeting!

 Caps For Sale!

Blake was in a play in his classroom last week!  They divided into three groups and performed skits based on books.  Blake's book was Caps For Sale (which I love).  He was the peddler! He enjoyed wearing 20 caps on his head!  I thought it was cute.  Of course with Lola in tow, I didn't get to see much.  But I did sneak in and catch one photo of Blake (yes, with my cell phone camera)!  It's all I could do!  Have I  mentioned it's rather challenging going to all these functions by myself with two kids?!?  Yeah, just had to throw that in there.  And to all you ladies who have more than two kids....I don't know how you manage!  Anyway, here is cute Blake:

Sports Complex Fun!

We love our Groupons!  Oh yes we do!  Last weekend we were able to use one.  Why?  Because it was oh, a balmy 32 degrees outside.  We decided we would have a much better time running around INDOORS!  So we printed out our trusty Groupon and headed to the Hamilton County Sports Complex.  It is such a fun place!  Even if a chiropractor's office took over the space that used to have the mini zip line!  I was a wee bit frustrated (no offense to my chiropractor husband)!

The kids had a blast and Lola TOTALLY threw a fit when we left.  That's her problem lately.  She doesn't want to leave.  Period.  No matter where we are.....gas stations, libraries, stores, fun complexes, etc....Apparently she isn't too keen on being at home.  Don't worry, Lola.  I'm only slightly (terribly) offended.  Here are some photos of the fun we had!  Blake's favorite thing was jumping into a big foam pit.  Lola's favorite thing was the slide....which resulted in some pretty awesome static hair....which resulted in lots of shocks to me (which you know I love)!

Kings and Pacers!

Okay so I'm pretty sure this is the last post of the season about Pacer basketball!  So you should be able to handle yet ANOTHER blog about my boys!  And another big, huge, GIGANTIC thank you to my friends, Alan and Beth for making it possible!  Row 4 behind the hoop is pretty darn awesome.  I have the photos to prove it!  But guess what?  We forgot to set up the dvr to record the game.  GASP.  I know.  So there is actually NO proof that I was at the game.  And I'm sure we were on tv.  I'm just sure of it.  Oh well!  We had a great time (despite the rather large whooping the Kings delivered to the Pacers).  Blake got Larry Bird's autograph.  And Lola was once again able to see her beloved Boomer (the mascot)!  YAY for basketball!

Lola and I before the game!  She always closes her eyes when having her photo taken!  She's so silly!

Warming up!  Hello, Tyler! :)

My man, Francisco Garcia patting Tyler H. on the head!

Former Louisville player, Francisco Garcia!

DeMarcus Cousins (for my UK fan friends)!

Better picture of Cousins.

DeMarcus Cousins giving Francisco Garcia the stink eye.

Larry Bird's autograph.

**Oh, and did I mention I got to MEET Francisco Garcia?  Yeah.  He was awesome.** 




APRIL FOOLS!!!!  Of course I had to have some sort of prank in this post! :)