Our Labor Day Weekend

Chad had his first staffing weekend this past weekend and had to work Labor Day for his holiday over the next year so we couldn't go on any fun road trips or anything (although I've now heard from two separate people who went camping and got rained out so I think I'm glad we didn't try it). We managed to have some fun though.

On Saturday, we went to the Desert Museum for one of their Summer Saturday night events. During the summer, the museum stays open late on Saturday nights so you can wander around after dark when it's cooler. We had a good time. Our neighborhood is located in this weird, dry vortex, which means that while it may be raining around the rest of Tucson, it is not raining at our house. Because of this vortex we headed out to the museum, not knowing that it was downpouring at the museum. We had to make a dinner pit stop at McDonald's to wait out some of the rain. Thankfully, it did die down (another blessing of Arizona, rain comes but doesn't stay long) and as we drove closer to the museum it was down to a mere drizzle. The drizzle actually helped keep the night cool, although we did get quite damp by the end. The museum is a fun place, although not my favorite. They have a reptile house, mountain lions, wolves, big horn sheep, beavers etc. Grant kept asking to see more animals and when we told him we had seen them all, he did not accept that answer with much happiness. I have never known a little boy to love looking at animals as much as he does. You can see from the pictures of Grant below, just how wet we got though.

(Grant relaxing in his stroller.)

(Grant petting the baby pigs)

On Labor Day, we went to the very last Tucson Sidewinders game ever. The Sidewinders are the D-backs AAA team and they are moving to Reno. They had their final game last night so we went to enjoy the festivities. We try to go to a few games each season since living here, although I have to say that since having Grant I'm pretty sure I haven't actually seen one of the games. They have all sorts of activities for kids going on during the games. They have a bunch of giant inflatable toys, i.e. a slide and an obstacle course. Grant wanted to try out the obstacle course so I let him. Surprisingly, he did not freak out when he went in it, even though there were lots of bigger kids plowing through it. He went through the obstacle course countless times and some of the kids were so nice to him, helping him out and watching out for him. The pictures below are him in the obstacle course. He had a great time and was upset when they closed it down and he couldn't go through anymore.

Our favorite part of baseball games is the food of course. Chad has his superdog and soda and I enjoy my brat with sauerkraut and fresh squeezed lemonade. Grant loves the peanuts. About three separate times Grant pointed at the cotton candy and asked, "What's that?" Chad, also a sucker for cotton candy, bought some for the two of them to share. Grant, of course, had to hold the bag and graciously shared with his dad. He even told me later that he shared the cotton candy with daddy. (We are forever learning and practicing the concept of sharing so Grant likes to let me know when he does share.) Both father and son had blue fingers, lips and tongues at the end of the bag but loved every minute of it.

(Grant and Chad enjoying cotton candy.)

After the game ended, they had a fantastic fireworks display and the let everyone who wanted go down on the field and run the bases. We, of course, couldn't pass up that opportunity so we headed down with everyone else. I headed to homeplate to capture the Kodak moment and Chad chased Grant around the bases (I'm also way to pregnant to do the chasing). Grant loved it and was running crazy. Chad had to keep grabbing him to put him back on track. Grant thought it was the greatest thing ever and wanted to do it again when he was done.

(Chad and Grant running into home.)

After base running, we had to stop and see Sally Sidewinder. Every time Grant sees one of these mascots he bursts into tears and is really scared. However, last night was a breakthrough. He did not cry, only a little uncertain. Our little boy is growing up. We are sad the Sidewinders are leaving and are going to miss them. It was relatively cheap entertainment.

(Chad and Grant with Sally Sidewinder. Although he looks somewhat terrified, he is not crying.)