1st Padres Game

On Tuesday, May 19th we went to the boy's 1st professional baseball game at Petco Park. Everyone had a great time. We got to the park as soon as the gates opened. Alemu and Israel played in the kids game for a while. They both were excellent batters. It was a lot of fun watching them try to figure the game out. We would all have to scream at them to get them to run to the next base, and tell them to go back when they ran on a foul ball. Israel has insisted since day 1 in America that he wants to play baseball...he's going to be good!

My baby is such a lover! Always cuddling.

Israel and Almeu brought their gloves and had them ready the whole time. After they played baseball we watched batting practice and they each got a ball. Apparently that wasn't good enough and they both wanted to catch a foul ball (very unlikely). Although balls came into our area none were close enough and the chances it would happen twice was more than improbable. Dad had to explain that he has been to many many games and never caught a foul ball. Alemu's response was "I want go to many many games." Meanwhile Israel wanted to change seats to whichever area just got the last foul ball.

Elias was out by the 3rd inning. It lasted for a few innings until Israel screamed really loud. Luckily there was no one sitting by us.

While Mom had the baby Dad was surrounded by very excited and somewhat overstimulated versions of Alemu and Israel. I sat next to Israel who was loud and talking non-stop the entire game. At one point Brian had Israel and I trade places to give Dad a break. These boys were hyper as they are with all new things. Israel caught on quickly to all of Brian's cheers and his favorite was "Let's go Padres, let's go!" in his super cute Ethiopian accent. Alemu being the pre-teen that we all know he is (you know 10 going on 14) loves to push buttons...especially Dad's, probably because Dad is always picking on him. Anyway, when Dad would talk about the "good" team or "our" team, Almeu realized that if he rooted for the other team it would be opposite of the whole family. So that's what he did. Very loudly. The entire game. At one point the other team hit a long foul ball. Not understanding foul balls Alemu stands up, pumping his fists, cheering like crazy, hitting Dad on the shoulder yelling "yea, yea, yea!" He then gets quiet, looks around, turns red and says "Only Me?!?" Dad laughs and confirms that "yes, you are the only one cheering." He then explained foul balls for the 14th time.

Israel ate the entire night. After eating his meal he wanted some of Brian's "chicken" which was really calamari. He loved Brian's "chicken." He also loves ketchup. As a present Brian gave him an entire bag of ketchup packets that came with his order. Israel was in heaven and was squeezing the straight ketchup into his mouth until Mom realized what was going on and told him that was enough for one night. Ewww.

Last year at Padres games we talked about how we would have our baby with us next season. This game was by far the best one we have been to yet!