Longshanks

Buy Me Some Peanuts and Cracker Jacks...

Before I get in to this post, I have a couple of things to address. First, I have been chastised again for not posting more often. Now that I don't have the excuse of school, I need to be better about posting. Second, many have asked about Omnibot, and why he has been on hiatus so long. He and Paris will be back soon...

Last week we celebrated Lauren's birthday. That's right, the last Shirley kid, the one we almost lost, who was so tiny she had to have her first photos done with a feeding tube, just turned five. Time certainly does fly. It's hard to believe that she went from this...

To this. What a sweetheart.

A few days before the party we attended a Bees game. She loves baseball, but had never been to a game. It was The University of Utah staff night at the game, and as a member of the Staff Council that sponsored the evening, I was able to secure some great seats down the third base line, right in front of the visitor's bull pen.

During the game, the U's mascot, Swoop stopped by our section to throw out freebies and play with the kids. I was wearing my feather-and-drum Utah cap, so he took it and signed it. Seeing that my cap was signed, Bean asked if he would sign her cap. The problem is, Swoop is not a Yankees fan. But he graciously took her cap, signed it, and under the bill wrote 'Go Sox!' I guess no one's perfect...

Kate went all out on the food for Bean's party. Of course the cupcakes were homemade, and she even found an improvement to her frosting.

It was decided that since Lauren wanted a baseball party that we would do 'ballpark' food. We grilled hot dogs, served Churros, giant pretzels, peanuts, Cracker Jacks and Nachos. The only thing missing was over-priced beer. But we did serve bottled sodas. It was the best party food ever. After singing 'Happy Birthday' we all joined in singing 'Take me out to the ballgame'.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Shirley party without a pinata. And the kids patiently awaited the deluge of candy.

And of course, once the pinata broke open, a donnybrook ensued. A bench-clearing brawl between the Cardinals and Reds seemed tame in comparison...

Bean loved all her presents, especially the Thurman Munson and A-Rod figures that Grandpa Stretch gave her. But the best thing about this picture is the photo-bomber. Thanks, Mom...