Our last full day in Hotlanta was definitely the highlight for Winston and what he'd been waiting for since school dismissed. Thank the Good Lord it was everything he expected and more...
I think we've pretty much established the level of enthusiasm Winston has for most sports and athletics in general. He loves it all - the energy, the competition, the camaraderie, learning new skills and how to play a game. He loves to participate in and spectate practically anything with a ball, some rules and a final score...we've traded in Disney Channel for ESPN much to Lilly's dismay! He developed some mad math skills at a very early age just by playing "pretend" games and adding up scores - he can count by "sevens" quicker than any adult (i.e. touchdown + extra point = 7!)
We said farewell to football season, started basketball and began working on brackets; after the Final Four we bought a glove and a bat and entered into the world of baseball complete with nightly channel surfing in hopes of finding a Braves game.
When Winston got wind that we were Atlanta-bound, within an hour of hearing our plans he came to Joe and I with a listing of home games, dates and times for the Atlanta Braves....and asked if we could work a Braves game into our trip. Joe and I are big fans of sports too so we were happy to oblige.
After a long wait, we left mid-day on Monday for downtown Atlanta and Turner Field. Lilly and Katie stayed back and hit Chick Fil A with Uncle Jeff so the rest of us could go to the game with Winston.
There's something about being at a live sporting event that just makes this family very happy. While there doesn't seem to be the traditional tail-gating frenzy at a baseball game, the atmosphere was fantastic! The Braves began their 3-games series against the Washington Nationals and their rising superstar pitcher Strasburg. The stadium was packed to watch this guy take on the Braves.
We walked around the stadium smelling the concessions and watching ALL the people who came out to visit Braves Country - Winston was on a mission to find a Heyward jersey and after an "itch" test, he chose a t-shirt and hat instead. It was so great to watch him take it all in -- we could see the excitement and awe in his expressions.
God sure smiled on us that night - the game was FANTASTIC!! Anna and I went for a potty break, returned with a funnel cake to share and 2 foam tomahawks and the place was going wild!! In the 7th inning, Atlanta went on a 5 point run and Turner Field practically exploded with energy, everyone was on their feet and the tomahaw chops were in full swing.Winston absolutely loved it all. We all did -- super great game with a Braves win!!
What a day to remember and a fantastic way to end our time in Hotlanta.
We hit the road for home the next morning and arrived back in SC safe but very tired and with a mountain of laundry to tackle (which has been tackled already).
We're ready to celebrate a very unusual but most welcome "cooler" weekend (temps only in low 90's - that's cool here in the Lowcountry people!!)
Happy 4th everybody - and GO BRAVES!!
Pictures below of our great time at Turner:
I always love the first sights of a stadium...
On our way in...
Winston made a new friend when we arrived...
Our seats were just up from the Braves dugout - he was hoping for a few early arrivals but the players were still inside keeping cool before the start
A quick wardrobe change after we hit the store....
W with cousin Anna - her 1st Braves game too -- we think she's hooked now!
A Jason Heyward sighting -- so happy W got a glimpse - he was pretty disappointed that Heyward didn't play because of an injury
He was pretty awesome - even if he did play for the other team!
Melkie Cabrera - as Winston will tell you, he was a Yankee last year...Welcome to Atlanta #53!
Tim Hudson pitched....
Chipper Jones at Bat....
Yes it was.....
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