Thursday morning we started out bright and early on our way to see the Tigers play the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park. The drive there was uneventful for the most part, besides the unplanned stop at a Walmart for some coloring supplies and a replacement sippy cup for Calvin that somehow ended up flying out the window......
We arrived at Comerica Park at around noon, and had some quick sandwiches in the parking garage, and then we were off on our long trek to the game. We were able to walk through Ford Field on our way to the game, which Russ and Bradyn thought was pretty neat, the rest of us really didn't care too much....it's where the Lions play.....football.....I have NO interest in football.....
The Detroit Lions Football Field
Dad and two of his boys on the concourse of Ford Field on the way to Comerica Park
I must admit it was rather nice to walk most of the way to the park in air conditioning as it was 93 degrees there at game time.
After walking FOREVER (according to Bradyn) we finally made it to the gates and were able to get inside. The game didn't start until 1pm so we spent some time walking around through masses of people...sounds like fun doesn't it?? I came to realize by the time the game ended that the majority of people at this ball game, had little to no tolerance for a mama and her child in a stroller....some were downright rude....anyway, we made it to the cool ferris wheel with cars shaped like baseballs. The older two thought is was pretty sweet that they were going to ride in a baseball.
Our boys in line for the ferris wheel
Dad and Calvin on the ferris wheel
After the ferris wheel ride, we made our way to our seats and settled in as they were announcing the players and their positions. Calvin and I lasted about 10 minutes before we headed back out to stroll the concourse for the next 4 innings. Our seats were directly in the sun, and we were both sweating buckets within minutes. My intention was to maybe get him to sleep, since it was right at his normal nap time, but with all the busyness around him, that didn't happen. Russ and the boys came down for a snack and drinks in the 5th inning, and since it had become cloudier since we got there, Calvin and I decided we would try it again. Calvin did really well for the remainder of the game, as long as he could walk around in front of our seats. What started as a pretty boring game...aside from Fielder's homerun (which I missed), having a 1-1 score in the bottom of the ninth inning, ended pretty excitingly when Quintin Berry hit a walk off single to win the game in the bottom of the 10th inning. Bradyn was so excited, and we were happy we got to see the Tigers win.
Fielder walking off the field
Cabrera mid swing
After a very long and HOT walk back to the van, we started on our way to Dundee and Splash Universe indoor water park. We sat in traffic for about a half hour but then it was clear sailing for the rest of the way.
We arrived in Dundee at the waterpark at about 6:45pm. After a supper in our room, Russ took the boys to the waterpark, while I took Calvin for a walk, to get him ready for bed. We all slept well that night and were ready to spend all day Friday in the water park. After breakfast in the hotel restaurant we made our way to the waterpark, and spent the next few hours tubing down the slides, standing under the dump bucket, floating down the lazy river, and dashing across the floating lily pads. We dragged the kids away at about 12:30 for lunch, and walked over to Cabelas to let our food settle and explore all the animal displays they have there. When we got back to the hotel, the boys (minus Calvin) went to the waterpark, and Calvin took a nap. After a few more hours in the waterpark, it was dinner time, and the boys were able to spend the last hour before bed in the waterpark again. Needless to say, we all slept well that night too. Saturday, after a buffet breakfast by the restaurant, Russ and the two older boys went to the waterpark, while Calvin and I cleaned up our belongings to get ready to leave. We left for home around 11:45am, and after an uneventful drive aside from a few construction jams, we arrived home at about 3:30pm. We are thankful that we were able to have such a great time together as a family.
Bradyn and Calvin racing on a slide
Dad and Austin after a tube ride
Bradyn on the lily pads
Austin navigating the lily pads
Our boys posing in the top bunk in our room....Calvin was ready to go home.
