We hadn't planned on going to the game, but when I did some research and found out we could buy tickets for $2.50 apiece, going to the stadium on a lovely late September night became a no brainer.
We got there early, and set up "shop" along the rail abutting the visitor's bullpen. From there, we watched the Houston Astros take the longest batting practice I've ever seen. And believe me, I have seen a *lot* of BPs.
Since practice was so long, way more than the typical amount of BP baseballs wound up being launched to the stands, the concourse and the bullpen. We know from going often than when the bullpen security and players show up, they'll almost always toss those BP balls to fans along the rail.
Before too long, Astros pitcher Vincent Velasquez came out to the pen and very soon after picked up a ball and tossed it CJ's direction.
CJ couldn't quite get a handle on it, however, and it ricocheted, creating a waterfall of expensive beer. Oops. He eventually chased down the ball, so no biggie. For whatever reason, I just happened to have a Sharpie in my purse, and Mr. Velasquez was kind enough to sign the ball, too.
Fast forward a few minutes later, and the security guard gave a young Astros fan next to us a batting practice ball. I offered them my pen and told them Velasquez was nice enough to sign for us, and maybe they could get an autograph, too. However, the timing didn't work out, so the Dad returned the pen and thanked us for offering it.
At that, I grabbed our signed ball and asked the four year old if he wanted to trade our ball for his. He wasn't straightaway sure, but his dad sure was, and so we swapped.
We were happy to send the Astros'-autographed ball home with Astros fans, who really appreciate it.
THAT'S NO MOON: A post in my Facebook feed from The Museum of Flight today certain got my attention.
Rebel Pilots to the Briefing Room! The Death Star is approaching! Using plans smuggled in this R2 Unit, we will study the technical details of this moon-sized battle station, study our plan of attack, and be briefed on specs of the star-fighters that will be at the Battle of Yavin IV. Learn all you can in this humorous but technically accurate briefing before heading off to destroy a battle station with a snub fighter (what could go wrong?) Bring glory to your squadron by answering Star Wars Trivia, compete in a Lego building competition, and try your hand at launching proton torpedoes without a targeting computer. All pilots will receive a small souvenir of Alderaan to inspire them to save the Galaxy.Yes, please!
Of course, I signed the kids up straightaway.
CUBISM: In math, we've been working on volume, and today it was measuring cubic volume.
The kids mostly had no trouble with it, but there was one diagram that gave them both fits.
I broke out some dice so that they could have a visual, and then it was easy-peasy (even though we were one die short - they were able to fill in the blank!).
IN THE ALLEY: We were trying a new chicken-in-the-crockpot recipe today, and it called for dried basil. Why in the world would we do that when we have fresh basil on campus?
Basil pesto - yummmmmmmmmmmm.
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