First Tigers game of the summer!

We bought tickets a while back as a gift for Nana for her birthday.  This was the only date we could agree on and it was nice that we were all done with school since it made for a late night.  It was a really hot, sunny day, but our seats were thankfully in the shade and it cooled off a bit as the sunset.  We got there early to watch batting practice because the boys were convinced they'd get balls and possibly autographs.

The Tigers played the Texas Rangers and the Rangers were the ones doing batting practice when the park opened.  Sean caught two balls they threw up to the kids and Evan caught one.  They then staked a spot out by the dugout and waited over 30 minutes to see players come into the dugout.  Unfortunately, none of them were willing to sign any balls, but many of them waved.  We said "Hi" to Paws who came up to the netting and we watched the National Anthem being sung from that spot before they kicked us all out to our regular seats.

Once in our seats, the boys enjoyed watching the game, eating peanuts, and doing the wave.  The Tigers were winning and up by 1 all through the top of the 9th inning, but unfortunately Soto gave up some runs.  We weren't able to get any runs in the bottom of the 9th and lost the game.  As we were leaving in the bottom of the 9th, we walked by the section where the bullpen is.  Evan wanted to stop and we saw Andrew Chaffin warming up just in case.  As the game ended, he threw the ball he was using up and he picked Evan to throw it to.  It was exciting!

Miguel Cabrera Signing!

 Evan and I met Miguel Cabrera!

I got an email a few months ago about Miguel doing a signing event and that you could buy an autograph.  Evan begged all week and I finally relented after my parents chipped in some money as an early birthday gift for him.  My dad, Evan, and I headed down to Comerica Park on a Saturday morning with a baseball Evan wanted to get signed.  

We waited for about an hour and a half in the D Shop inside the park and it was finally our turn!

Evan talked to Miguel briefly and watched as he signed his ball.  He got it authenticated with a sticker at the end and was all smiles!  

We walked to Campus Martius after that since it was such a beautiful day.  We grabbed lunch at Shake Shack (delicious...) and then it was time to head home.  It was a memorable day in the D for Evan!

Schools out for summer and Sean's a 5th grade graduate!

With a few days left in the school year, the 5th graders had their graduation on Monday, June 13th.  However, Sean tested positive for COVID over the weekend and unfortunately had to stay home for it.  Thankfully a friend FaceTimed us during the ceremony and we got to hear Sean's name announced at the end by his teacher.  Scott and I were both home from work with him that day so we got a carry out from Los Tres Amigos (his choice) for lunch and ate on the patio.  We gave him some money in a card and he had me run out to Target to buy a Jurassic World Lego set that he worked on at the kitchen table that afternoon.  Overall, he had a good day despite having to miss the graduation!

He was able to return to school on Wednesday, for the last half day of school.  They were going to do a clap-out for the 5th graders so he was so happy to be there for that and to see his teacher and friends one more time.  More than half of the 5th graders are going to West Middle School and Sean is going to East so it was important to him that he see his friends.  Scott and I went to the clap out and then took the boys to Leo's for lunch and over to Ashley and Jeff's house to swim all afternoon.

Evan met up with us outside the school and we got a picture with his teacher and said goodbye to a few of his friends.  He had a great school year and we are so proud of his hard work and dedication!  On to 4th grade in the fall and he'll be at Farrand without Sean!

A few days later one of Sean's friends threw a graduation party for ALL the 5th graders (what brave parents...).  We went to that for a few hours and the kids enjoyed playing kickball, some volleyball game they play at school called "Nuke 'em", and they ate cake and ice cream.  What a fun thing for them to all do together!

Happy summer, boys!