Meet The Mets

Almost 26 years after Pop-Pop took Daddy to Shea for the first time (June 12, 1982), it was Robert's turn to get there before they blow it up and jack up ticket prices for the new ballpark. The original plan was to tailgate with some friends of mine from the Crane Pool Forum (a Mets board which I help moderate), but the pending monsoons nixed the idea and forced us to shift it to the former Bobby V's on 114th St. Robert enjoyed the replica Shea seats:

And drinking Daddy's seltzer:


Then it was off to the park! Robert was amazed by trains running over his head, and all the planes in the sky.

Robert showed Mom how he was going to give Mr. Met a high-five:


On our way to what Robert kept calling "Mr. Met's House."

"It's big! A big house!"

Once we got inside and bought our program, it was time to head up, up, up to the seats!


We stopped and took some photos before we got all the way up... the new park looks really nice from the outside, and really changes the landscape behind the outfield fence!



The view from Section 8, Row R:

Robert's "silly face":

Robert's first Mr. Met sighting:

And his second Mr. Met sighting, in the program:


Robert also enjoyed a mid-game tickle fight with KB:

And some quality concourse time with Dad:

"Look, Dad! A car!"

We stopped into the team store, where Robert walked around pointing to Mets logos and clapping "Let's Go Mets!"


Then... THERE HE IS! AND HE WAVED AT US! I KNOW HIM!

Speechless:

But not too shy to get a wave in:

"And that's Pedro. Can you say Pedro?"

Before we left, we went down to see Mr. Met one more time:


I'm not optimistic that we'll get to Shea again this season. So thanks, old building, for 26 years of phenomenal memories. The last few months, I've put together a collection of autographs from all the players who played in that first game, back when I was actually (gasp!) a Cardinals fan:



(The space in the top row is reserved for former Cardinals catcher Darrell Porter, who died in 2002, and as a result, his autographs are hard to find cheaply.)

Maybe I'll do the same for Robert down the road...

Grillin' and Chillin' With Nanny and Pop-Pop

Spent a very quiet Memorial Day afternoon with Nanny and Pop-Pop playing baseball:


And riding:


And grilling:

Sunday In The Park

We went in to visit Uncle Ben and Aunt Shanna (and Phil and Jen, and Keith and Rachel and Maisie, too) yesterday for a nice picnic in the park. Robert brought his tricycle.

Shanna and Ben brought Rocky as well.


Drink break!

And more drink break!


Yay! Robert's first catch with Daddy! I think we have to get him his own glove, because wearing Daddy's on the wrong hand just isn't going to work too well...




Jen and Phil were having a catch of their own, so Robert decided to go play with them too.



Keith and Rachel stopped by, with baby Maisie. Robert was enthralled.

Gardening With Mom & Dad

We spent a lovely weekend morning gardening recently. Robert was, as always, a huge help:

Mommy found a huge worm, so Robert had to return it to the compost pile.


Look, Mom! Gloves!


Helping mommy plant the herbs:









We had a few plants left over, which Robert wanted to plant himself... in the flower bed. So Daddy helped:





Once all the lettuce was planted, it was off to get the watering can!


And it looks like Robert got his pants wet. And you know you can't garden in wet pants.


Later that evening, it was time to break out the grill for some hot dogs: