Vera's First Reds Game

As a Father's Day surprise for Adam, Vera and I gave him Reds tickets for the end of July.  He was pretty excited about going down to a game, and Vera was too!  We took off last Saturday for Cincinnati to watch the Reds play the Nationals.  Vera passed the time in the car by watching Frozen.  In hindsight, she should've taken a nap on the way there!

Adam wanted to get to the game in plenty of time so we could do some fun things with Vera Lou.

Waiting for the gates to open!

She thought the play area was a blast.  You can't really see her, but she's driving the steering wheel on the left.  We had to drag her out when it started to get really crowded.

We got some lunch and listened to the band in the ballpark before the game.

We took her to the Guest Services counter, and got her a cool certificate commemorating her first game.

We also took some fun pictures with various characters before the game started.

It was "Mr. Redlegs Hat & Mustache Day" at the ballpark.  So, here we are with the Planter's peanut.  

By the time the game started, it was scorching hot in our seats.  Poor Vera's hair was soaked from sweating.  By the first inning, Vera was miserable.  She kept complaining about the heat, had no interest in the game, and wanted every snack that she saw.  I resorted to taking her to some shaded seats for a few innings to cool off.    She wanted a snow cone, but I discouraged that because they were being sold with "straw spoons" which would be much too messy for a 3 year-old.  I talked her in to getting a Lemon Chill, and she was super excited about that.  We enjoyed the Lemon Chill in the shade for a few innings, and then made our way back to our seats.  By that time, our seats were in the shade.  We stayed for a few more innings, and by the sixth inning, Adam and I had enough.  It was crowded in our seats and Vera wasn't able to stand or move around at all.  Did I also mention that it was really hot?  Here's where a nap for Vera would've made a difference.  So, around the sixth inning, we left.

First look at the field.

Getting ready to cheer for the Reds!

Starting line up cheers!  Do you think it was a little hot?

 It was nice to get in the car where it was cool and more comfortable.  Dave & Kara invited us to stop by after the game, and we decided to accept their offer to cool off, clean up Vera, and regroup for the ride home.  When we got there, Scott, Jackie & Maggie were there too, and Dave & Kara had made a delicious dinner for us.  We weren't planning to stay to eat, but it was fun to catch up and visit with everyone.  Vera and Maggie had fun playing together.

Kara let the girls put sprinkles on the brownies.  Cuteness!

Vera and Maggie were so cute!

Vinny Vin stayed behind with grandma, and he earned a decent report, though he is still quite fussy and has his meltdown moments.

Aunt Mandy & Blake stopped by to see the little guy.

Adam and I both agreed that Vera was just a bit too young for a Reds game.  She isn't interested in the game, and it's hard for her to sit for that long.  I guess you don't know until  you try.  Maybe next year....