Hello everyone, this is Morry.
The boys and I got back from our annual trip to Bradenton for Spring Training. We flew in Friday, ordered pizza and got some food for the rental house at Publix.
Saturday morning, we went to one of our staples, Popi's, for breakfast. From there, we drove straight to the Pirates game. Evan wanted to be there when the gates opened. We were second in line. When we got in, Evan went out to left field to shag balls during batting practice. He got a few. Our seats were just to the right of the dugout. A player popped out of the dugout and threw a piece of unwrapped gum at Evan. Evan chewed that gum for more than 4 hours and saved the wrapper. The player also threw gum to Noah. Several players flipped balls to Evan as they came off the field. By the end of the game, Evan and Noah had collected 8 balls. They actually had 9 but gave one to a girl. We went to a seafood restaurant for dinner and then to the movies to see A Wrinkle in Time.
Sunday we went to miniature golf. We played two rounds and then drove up to Dunedin, FL to see the Pirates play the Blue Jays. The boys didn't get any baseballs, but Evan was able to get a few autographs. For dinner, we went to the Shake Pit. After we ate, we got ice cream there.
On Monday, we met the Allinsons at the game. Bryan Allinson was a coach for Evan's team in coach pitch and then he's the one that started the Marauders. They are Pirates fans. They had moved to Orlando and so they came down to meet us. Evan and Jake ran around the stadium the whole time collecting more balls and getting autographs. We went with them after the game to get ice cream.
Our flight on Tuesday was later, so we were able to do some things. We went to Quarter Cup Cafe for brunch, then we played a round of miniature golf at the the same golf place, but in a different location. Then we went to Pirate City and watched 3 innings of a minor league game. From there, we went to Mixon's Fruit Farms and the boys got orange ice cream. Then we drove back to the airport in Tampa and came home.
Today, the boys stayed home. I dropped Rachel off downtown to do some South by Southwest stuff and I went into the office. I picked her up (although it was tough due to road closures) on the way home.
After I finished working, I picked Cooper up at his house and took the boys to Oak Hill for Home Run Derby.
Following Home Run Derby, we met Rachel and Noah at HEB and got ground beef, corn and shrimp to make for dinner tonight. Cooper is staying over tonight.
The boys are upstairs messing around.
Until next time...
Showing posts with label Pirate City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pirate City. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Friday, March 20, 2015
Back from Florida
Hello everyone, this is Morry.
The boys, Zayde and I are back from Florida. We got back last night. We had a very good time. We were able to see three baseball games, we went ice skating, we went to the movies to see McFarland, USA, we went to Mixon's Farm and took a tour, we went miniature golfing and we went to Pirate City. It was a full trip.
The Pirates won two of the three games we saw. The last game we saw was a night game and it was the largest crowd in McKechnie Field history. It was really nice. They just recently put in lights at the field so it was the first time we saw the Pirates play at night there.
At the fields, they had a speed pitch area. Evan and Noah did it before each game. Each time Evan did very well. The third time Evan did it, he was throwing as fast as the adults in front of him. Not only that but of the three pitches he threw, 2 were perfect strikes. That won us a t-shirt. Then Noah came up and his first pitch was a perfect strike and that won us a second t-shirt.
Today is Noah's birthday. He turns 7 today. He chose to go to Top Golf. He recorded his personal best. Evan was on fire and crushed all of us. I came in last.
After Top Golf, we went to Rita's Water Ice for free water ice for the first day of spring.
We came home and relaxed. Noah put together the Lego set that Zayde got for him.
For dinner we went to Logan's. Noah got steak. Then we went to TCBY for dessert. All Noah's choice.
The boys are getting ready for bed now.
Until next time...
The boys, Zayde and I are back from Florida. We got back last night. We had a very good time. We were able to see three baseball games, we went ice skating, we went to the movies to see McFarland, USA, we went to Mixon's Farm and took a tour, we went miniature golfing and we went to Pirate City. It was a full trip.
The Pirates won two of the three games we saw. The last game we saw was a night game and it was the largest crowd in McKechnie Field history. It was really nice. They just recently put in lights at the field so it was the first time we saw the Pirates play at night there.
At the fields, they had a speed pitch area. Evan and Noah did it before each game. Each time Evan did very well. The third time Evan did it, he was throwing as fast as the adults in front of him. Not only that but of the three pitches he threw, 2 were perfect strikes. That won us a t-shirt. Then Noah came up and his first pitch was a perfect strike and that won us a second t-shirt.
Today is Noah's birthday. He turns 7 today. He chose to go to Top Golf. He recorded his personal best. Evan was on fire and crushed all of us. I came in last.
After Top Golf, we went to Rita's Water Ice for free water ice for the first day of spring.
We came home and relaxed. Noah put together the Lego set that Zayde got for him.
For dinner we went to Logan's. Noah got steak. Then we went to TCBY for dessert. All Noah's choice.
The boys are getting ready for bed now.
Until next time...
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Back From Spring Training
Hello everyone, this is Morry.
The boys and I are back from Spring Training. We left on Tuesday and returned mid-day today. Zayde flew with us to Tampa, but returned back to Philadelphia today after his two-month Austin stay.
We didn't leave until late Tuesday afternoon and got in the evening in Tampa and then drove to Bradenton. On Wednesday, the Pirates were playing about an hour and 45 minutes south of Bradenton in Ft. Myers against the Twins. On the way, we stopped at a restaurant called Quarter A Cup Cafe. Every time the filled your cup of coffee it was a quarter. The food was very good. Noah ate well there. The Pirates won the game. One of Evan's favorite players, Gerrit Cole, started the game so Evan was excited. He got one autograph there. After the game we went to a Steelers Bar and Restaurant called Nick and Stella's.
On Thursday, we again, had to drive south, but not as far, only about an hour, to Port Charlotte to see the Pirates vs the Rays. Before we went, we went miniature golfing. Evan did very well. He had a string of a hole in one followed by 4 two shots. From there, we went back to the Quarter A Cup Cafe for breakfast. Unfortunately, the Pirates lost. The game wasn't a very good game. For dinner we went to the Longhorn Steakhouse.
On Friday, we drove to Pirate City to watch the Pirates minor leaguers. Evan really seemed to enjoy it. At one point I asked him if he was ready to go and he said he wanted to stay longer. We then went to Popi's for lunch. Then we went to the field to see the Pirates play the Phillies. Our friends from Austin, Evan's coach from last year in baseball and his wife, and their sons who played baseball with Evan met us at the stadium. Evan and Carter particularly had fun with each other. My cousin, Aaron, also drove down for Tampa for the game. It was nice seeing everyone. For dinner we went to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar with the Merrimans. We enjoyed our time with the them. The adults ate at one table while the four boys ate at another. It started off well, but they got progressively louder as the meal wore on. All in all, I think everyone had fun.
Today, we got up at 4:30am Eastern, and drove to Tampa. The boys and I had to fly to Dallas first and then to Austin. Our flight from Dallas to Austin ended up being delayed. It was good to be home when we got here. Lizzy was very excited to see me and Calvin was very excited to see the boys. Rachel said that Calvin was clinging to her all week long. I think he's now used to the attention he gets from the boys.
The boys are in the shower now and about to go to bed.
Until next time...
The boys and I are back from Spring Training. We left on Tuesday and returned mid-day today. Zayde flew with us to Tampa, but returned back to Philadelphia today after his two-month Austin stay.
We didn't leave until late Tuesday afternoon and got in the evening in Tampa and then drove to Bradenton. On Wednesday, the Pirates were playing about an hour and 45 minutes south of Bradenton in Ft. Myers against the Twins. On the way, we stopped at a restaurant called Quarter A Cup Cafe. Every time the filled your cup of coffee it was a quarter. The food was very good. Noah ate well there. The Pirates won the game. One of Evan's favorite players, Gerrit Cole, started the game so Evan was excited. He got one autograph there. After the game we went to a Steelers Bar and Restaurant called Nick and Stella's.
On Thursday, we again, had to drive south, but not as far, only about an hour, to Port Charlotte to see the Pirates vs the Rays. Before we went, we went miniature golfing. Evan did very well. He had a string of a hole in one followed by 4 two shots. From there, we went back to the Quarter A Cup Cafe for breakfast. Unfortunately, the Pirates lost. The game wasn't a very good game. For dinner we went to the Longhorn Steakhouse.
On Friday, we drove to Pirate City to watch the Pirates minor leaguers. Evan really seemed to enjoy it. At one point I asked him if he was ready to go and he said he wanted to stay longer. We then went to Popi's for lunch. Then we went to the field to see the Pirates play the Phillies. Our friends from Austin, Evan's coach from last year in baseball and his wife, and their sons who played baseball with Evan met us at the stadium. Evan and Carter particularly had fun with each other. My cousin, Aaron, also drove down for Tampa for the game. It was nice seeing everyone. For dinner we went to the Anna Maria Oyster Bar with the Merrimans. We enjoyed our time with the them. The adults ate at one table while the four boys ate at another. It started off well, but they got progressively louder as the meal wore on. All in all, I think everyone had fun.
Today, we got up at 4:30am Eastern, and drove to Tampa. The boys and I had to fly to Dallas first and then to Austin. Our flight from Dallas to Austin ended up being delayed. It was good to be home when we got here. Lizzy was very excited to see me and Calvin was very excited to see the boys. Rachel said that Calvin was clinging to her all week long. I think he's now used to the attention he gets from the boys.
The boys are in the shower now and about to go to bed.
Until next time...
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Back from Spring Training
Hello everyone, this is Morry.
We got into Austin last night around 10:15pm after a flight from Tampa to Dallas and then the drive into Austin. The boys fell asleep on the drive home and we put them to bed.
Thursday night, we drove up to Dallas. It was a long drive because of construction, but nothing too bad happened.
Our flight to Tampa was at 12:55pm the next day. The boys were very good on the flight. When we got in we rented a car and drove to Bradenton. The boys were a bit cranky and hungry by that time so we picked up pizza at Joey D's Pizzeria.
The next day, we had to drive to Sarasota. I forgot my computer charger and had to run to Best Buy. From there we drove to McKechnie field. We had brunch at Popi's which is right outside of the stadium. Evan refused to eat there though. When we finished, we went into the stadium. The boys insisted we go to the store first. Noah got an Andrew McCutchen t-shirt. Evan got a Roberto Clemente t-shirt. They both got an Andrew McCutchen Lego figure. I was not aware they made one, but apparently they did. When we finished, the old Pirates pitcher-turned-broadcaster Steve Blass was signing a book he had written. Evan insisted we stand in line and have him sign a baseball. He seemed genuinely happy to see the boys and talked to them a bit. Then Evan wanted to get autographs out ont the field. We stood on the first base line near the Pirates bullpen. Evan got several autographs including a Pirates star from when I was a kid, Mike Lavalliere. Unfortunately just as Andrew McCutchen was nearing Evan, he was called away. Evan seemed perfectly happy with the autographs he did get. Also, one of the coaches threw a ball to Evan. At first Evan reached out for the ball but the coach said "I want to see you use your glove" and made Evan catch it.
On Sunday, we went miniature golfing in the morning. Noah won us a free game in our first round. They have something called a "mystery hole". If you happen to get a hole-in-one on that mystery hole, you win a free game. In the second game, both Evan and I had great games. Evan got three hole-in-ones and I actually was one-under-par. I think it was my best game of miniature golf ever.
Then we drove to Sarasota to see the Pirates play the Orioles. As we were walking outside of the stadium to go into the stadium, the Pirates' bus pulled up and the entire team got off. They all walked right by us on the sidewalk and most smiled at the boys and said hello. All three of us were fairly mesmerized. In the stadium, the usher was super nice to us. He got two balls from the field and gave one to each boy. In the 6th inning he moved us down to the front row. It was a really nice time.
On Monday, we drove over to Pirate City. That's the Pirates' training facility. We got to see a Pirates pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery working out in front of the coaches. We also saw many minor leaguers. Each boy got a ball there. Then we drove over to the stadium, again had a meal at Popi's (Evan ate this time) and went into the stadium. Once again, we had to stop at the store and the boys both got a Pirates' hat circa 1971. Those were the hats that Roberto Clemente wore. Evan told me he wished Roberto Clemente was there. And once again, we went out to get autographs. This time, Noah stood with Evan and got some autographs. Noah had pretty much given up by the time Andrew McCutchen came back, but Evan got him this time. He was super excited. We stayed until the end of the game. The Pirates won in walk-off fashion. That's what the boys love. They were ecstatic. They were jumping up and screaming and cheering. They loved it.
We drove back to Tampa in the rain on Tuesday morning and then got on the plane. Again, the boys were good in the flight.
In Dallas they played football with Grandma.
Today, Noah went to school but Evan had spring break. Rachel and Evan went to HEB in the morning. When they picked Noah up they went "sledding" in the park again. Both boys had a good time. Rachel said Noah was going super fast for some reason.
This evening we took a walk.
The boys are finishing up a shower and we're about to put them to bed.
Until next time...
We got into Austin last night around 10:15pm after a flight from Tampa to Dallas and then the drive into Austin. The boys fell asleep on the drive home and we put them to bed.
Thursday night, we drove up to Dallas. It was a long drive because of construction, but nothing too bad happened.
Our flight to Tampa was at 12:55pm the next day. The boys were very good on the flight. When we got in we rented a car and drove to Bradenton. The boys were a bit cranky and hungry by that time so we picked up pizza at Joey D's Pizzeria.
The next day, we had to drive to Sarasota. I forgot my computer charger and had to run to Best Buy. From there we drove to McKechnie field. We had brunch at Popi's which is right outside of the stadium. Evan refused to eat there though. When we finished, we went into the stadium. The boys insisted we go to the store first. Noah got an Andrew McCutchen t-shirt. Evan got a Roberto Clemente t-shirt. They both got an Andrew McCutchen Lego figure. I was not aware they made one, but apparently they did. When we finished, the old Pirates pitcher-turned-broadcaster Steve Blass was signing a book he had written. Evan insisted we stand in line and have him sign a baseball. He seemed genuinely happy to see the boys and talked to them a bit. Then Evan wanted to get autographs out ont the field. We stood on the first base line near the Pirates bullpen. Evan got several autographs including a Pirates star from when I was a kid, Mike Lavalliere. Unfortunately just as Andrew McCutchen was nearing Evan, he was called away. Evan seemed perfectly happy with the autographs he did get. Also, one of the coaches threw a ball to Evan. At first Evan reached out for the ball but the coach said "I want to see you use your glove" and made Evan catch it.
On Sunday, we went miniature golfing in the morning. Noah won us a free game in our first round. They have something called a "mystery hole". If you happen to get a hole-in-one on that mystery hole, you win a free game. In the second game, both Evan and I had great games. Evan got three hole-in-ones and I actually was one-under-par. I think it was my best game of miniature golf ever.
Then we drove to Sarasota to see the Pirates play the Orioles. As we were walking outside of the stadium to go into the stadium, the Pirates' bus pulled up and the entire team got off. They all walked right by us on the sidewalk and most smiled at the boys and said hello. All three of us were fairly mesmerized. In the stadium, the usher was super nice to us. He got two balls from the field and gave one to each boy. In the 6th inning he moved us down to the front row. It was a really nice time.
On Monday, we drove over to Pirate City. That's the Pirates' training facility. We got to see a Pirates pitcher recovering from Tommy John surgery working out in front of the coaches. We also saw many minor leaguers. Each boy got a ball there. Then we drove over to the stadium, again had a meal at Popi's (Evan ate this time) and went into the stadium. Once again, we had to stop at the store and the boys both got a Pirates' hat circa 1971. Those were the hats that Roberto Clemente wore. Evan told me he wished Roberto Clemente was there. And once again, we went out to get autographs. This time, Noah stood with Evan and got some autographs. Noah had pretty much given up by the time Andrew McCutchen came back, but Evan got him this time. He was super excited. We stayed until the end of the game. The Pirates won in walk-off fashion. That's what the boys love. They were ecstatic. They were jumping up and screaming and cheering. They loved it.
We drove back to Tampa in the rain on Tuesday morning and then got on the plane. Again, the boys were good in the flight.
In Dallas they played football with Grandma.
Today, Noah went to school but Evan had spring break. Rachel and Evan went to HEB in the morning. When they picked Noah up they went "sledding" in the park again. Both boys had a good time. Rachel said Noah was going super fast for some reason.
This evening we took a walk.
The boys are finishing up a shower and we're about to put them to bed.
Until next time...
Monday, March 7, 2011
Back From Florida
Hello everyone, this is Morry.
Rachel suggested I post about Evan and my trip to Florida with Zayde/Jack. It was a very fun trip and Evan really seemed to enjoy himself. Evan came back with a full load of stuff including, two baseballs that had been used, a game-used bat, a hat, two t-shirts and a Pirate Parrot stuffed animal.
The first night in Florida, Evan convinced Zayde to get him crab. Evan and Zayde share crab at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Then, to top that off, Evan was able to coax some ice cream out of Zayde as well.
On Saturday, we drove to Clearwater, Florida to see the Pirates play the Phillies. We stopped at Perkins for breakfast where Evan got a balloon sword and parrot. He seemed to enjoy the game, especially when Neil Walker hit a homerun. He was really cheering. They also had a playground at the stadium and Evan played there a lot. After the game, Evan got change from Zayde and threw it in a fountain outside. For dinner, we went to a pizza place.
On Sunday, the prediction was rain. Rain woke me up in the middle of the night, but it was a beautiful day when we got up. We went to Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf to play some miniature golf. Evan had an absolute blast. We played two round and Evan was extremely enthusiastic after each hole. It was a lot of fun watching him play golf. He even got a hole-in-one and just missed on a few others.
At the game, Evan fell in love with the Pirate Parrot. He made us follow the Parrot around the ballpark. At some point, the Parrot obtained a water gun and he shot Evan with it. Evan thought that was hilarious. He then made us find the Parrot again where he proceeded to convince the Parrot to shoot me - which he obliged. Evan was laughing so hard at all of this. We sat next to a nice woman who was trying to become a baseball reporter. A player at the Pirate City training facility had given her a ball and she gave it to Evan. Evan was very excited by it.
Today, we went over to Pirate City. There are 6 fields, but four of the fields come together at their home plates. You can sit and watch all four fields. The minor leaguers train here. As we were walking in, a player yelled "Here you go" and tossed a ball to Evan over the fence. Then, as we sat watching batting practice, a player came out and walked up to Evan and handed him a bat. A real bat used by one of the major leaguers. It was cracked but it had the players name engraved in it and his number written on the top and bottom. It was still sticky from whatever resin they put on it. Many people were very jealous of Evan for getting a bat. It would not fit in my suitcase so I had to ship it home.
The flight home was uneventful, but Evan seemed to have had a great time in Florida.
At the airport when Evan and Noah saw each other they were giggling and jumping up and down together. They were so hyper. They hugged and hugged until they both fell down. The first fight between the two didn't occur until we were almost home.
They are now in bed.
Until next time...
Rachel suggested I post about Evan and my trip to Florida with Zayde/Jack. It was a very fun trip and Evan really seemed to enjoy himself. Evan came back with a full load of stuff including, two baseballs that had been used, a game-used bat, a hat, two t-shirts and a Pirate Parrot stuffed animal.
The first night in Florida, Evan convinced Zayde to get him crab. Evan and Zayde share crab at Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Then, to top that off, Evan was able to coax some ice cream out of Zayde as well.
On Saturday, we drove to Clearwater, Florida to see the Pirates play the Phillies. We stopped at Perkins for breakfast where Evan got a balloon sword and parrot. He seemed to enjoy the game, especially when Neil Walker hit a homerun. He was really cheering. They also had a playground at the stadium and Evan played there a lot. After the game, Evan got change from Zayde and threw it in a fountain outside. For dinner, we went to a pizza place.
On Sunday, the prediction was rain. Rain woke me up in the middle of the night, but it was a beautiful day when we got up. We went to Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf to play some miniature golf. Evan had an absolute blast. We played two round and Evan was extremely enthusiastic after each hole. It was a lot of fun watching him play golf. He even got a hole-in-one and just missed on a few others.
At the game, Evan fell in love with the Pirate Parrot. He made us follow the Parrot around the ballpark. At some point, the Parrot obtained a water gun and he shot Evan with it. Evan thought that was hilarious. He then made us find the Parrot again where he proceeded to convince the Parrot to shoot me - which he obliged. Evan was laughing so hard at all of this. We sat next to a nice woman who was trying to become a baseball reporter. A player at the Pirate City training facility had given her a ball and she gave it to Evan. Evan was very excited by it.
Today, we went over to Pirate City. There are 6 fields, but four of the fields come together at their home plates. You can sit and watch all four fields. The minor leaguers train here. As we were walking in, a player yelled "Here you go" and tossed a ball to Evan over the fence. Then, as we sat watching batting practice, a player came out and walked up to Evan and handed him a bat. A real bat used by one of the major leaguers. It was cracked but it had the players name engraved in it and his number written on the top and bottom. It was still sticky from whatever resin they put on it. Many people were very jealous of Evan for getting a bat. It would not fit in my suitcase so I had to ship it home.
The flight home was uneventful, but Evan seemed to have had a great time in Florida.
At the airport when Evan and Noah saw each other they were giggling and jumping up and down together. They were so hyper. They hugged and hugged until they both fell down. The first fight between the two didn't occur until we were almost home.
They are now in bed.
Until next time...
Monday, March 8, 2010
Back from Florida
Hello everyone, this is Morry.
We are back from Florida. It was a good trip for three generations of Belkin men.
Some highlights:
All in all it was quite and eventful trip and Evan was incredibly well behaved. He enjoyed seeing Zayde and I know Zayde enjoyed seeing him.
Evan was excited to see Noah when we got back and the two boys hugged each other. Then we went to Evan's sports class where he played more golf. Honestly, I don't know how Evan had energy.
When we got back to the house, I saw how much Rachel had cleaned. She went through the toys in the toy box and cleaned up the game room and Noah's room.
The boys are now in bed. Evan really needed to get to sleep. Hopefully he doesn't come out of his room.
Until next time...
We are back from Florida. It was a good trip for three generations of Belkin men.
Some highlights:
- We went to a fair at Mixon's which is a fruit farm as well as took a tour. On the tour, Evan was the first volunteer to have a snake put around him. Everyone cheered for him after it was over. He got to pet a baby alligator as well.
- We saw two baseball games. We had good seats to both games. Evan also got to eat popcorn and cotton candy. And he hugged and high-fived the Pirates Parrot. And of course, he got some Pirates gear while we were there.
- We got to play two rounds of miniature golf. Evan was very good and he really enjoyed it. One of the rounds, there was absolutely no one on the course so Evan played each hole at least twice. He also insisted that the two of us hit our ball at the same time which added an interesting handicap to me.
- We got to go to Pirate City which is a training area for the team. Some of the minor leaguers walked by us and said hi to Evan.
- We ate dinner on the Manatee river where the restaurant had a DVD player for Evan to watch while we ate. He got to pick out a movie and he chose the Clone Wars
All in all it was quite and eventful trip and Evan was incredibly well behaved. He enjoyed seeing Zayde and I know Zayde enjoyed seeing him.
Evan was excited to see Noah when we got back and the two boys hugged each other. Then we went to Evan's sports class where he played more golf. Honestly, I don't know how Evan had energy.
When we got back to the house, I saw how much Rachel had cleaned. She went through the toys in the toy box and cleaned up the game room and Noah's room.
The boys are now in bed. Evan really needed to get to sleep. Hopefully he doesn't come out of his room.
Until next time...
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