We just wrapped up our annual trip to Arizona for Spring Training Baseball. We went early this year and I think overall, that was a good decision. Smaller crowds, better souvenirs, cooler weather (I prefer it blazing hot, but that’s not baby-or-preschooler-friendly). It was very strange to see baseball in February, though.
I had a really hard time relaxing on this trip. I was so amped up getting everything ready, going, going, going, that it was hard to just…stop. I forgot how much stuff babies need. I could fit Mike, Annie, and myself into one suitcase, and then James was rolling deep with a bunch of duffel bags full of onesies, diapers, wipes, toys, snacks, the list goes on. So much stuff, and then where do I put it all in the hotel room? Especially because a) I ALWAYS unpack, and b) James gets into everything now that he can crawl, so my OCD desire to unpack the second we arrive anywhere was especially handy this time.
I was so worried I was going to forget something for the kids (which, dumb, I can buy anything I forget) that I completely forgot to pack enough for myself. I am pretty famous for forgetting something major on trips. Usually it’s like, my pants (seriously). This time, I just plain forgot to pack enough. I only brought two shirts, a skirt that no longer fits, and a pair of jeans. So, off to Target I went.
This was James’ first trip to spring training, so it was fun to introduce him to our family traditions. Those traditions are watch baseball, and eat (or watch baseball and eat at the same time). We went to a couple Giants games and a Dodger game. I hadn’t gone to a Dodgers spring training game since I took Madeline five years ago, and it was nice. I even ran into my old pal Tommy.
Jamesie and Mommy at the Dodger Game.
Jamesie and Daddy at the Giants game.
James is bored.
Annabel loves this trip because she enjoys sanctioned junk food eating (cotton candy, popcorn, ice cream), and then gets to swim off all the sugar in the pool. Basically an ideal vacation for a four-year-old.
Hey batter batter swing batter!
I got lotsa cotton candy!
Cheering for homeruns.
I also took one of my favorite photos of the two of them together:
We missed all of the crazy rain in Los Angeles, although a fair amount of it did follow us here to Arizona. Luckily, it never rained during any of the games. California desperately needs the rain as we’re in the middle of the state’s worst drought in 100 years. I wish the extra-cold and snowy states could average out with California’s hot dryness.
Here comes the rain.
And now that we are done with our vacation…I need another vacation. Traveling with children, no routines, worrying that the kids will be too loud and disturb other hotel guests…it was tons of fun, but it was definitely not relaxing!
Becky says:
As someone who has seem over 50 inches of snow and ice this winter, I would gladly trade you some of it, for some of your dry heat.
Jen says:
That “Hey batter batter” shirt is perfection. Sounds like a great weekend!
Steph says:
Yes, traveling with small children is exhausting but so worth the memories. Do you all go to the college games? We love going in February to the UT baseball games here in Austin (and march and april:)
Sheila says:
That first picture of you and James at the Dodger game, I honestly thought it was an old picture of Annabel! I know you said he looks more like Maddie and normally I agree, but something about the hat and his little cheeks just made him look like Annie to me. So cute!
Julie says:
I completely agree!
Maggie says:
James looks so much like Annie in that first picture!
Rachel says:
I agree with Maggie, at first I thought it was Annie in that first pic!! Even in the lovely pic of the two of them together, you can clearly see they are siblings.
Anna says:
I was going to say the same thing – I thought you had posted an old picture until I realized it was James!
Lisa says:
I can totally relate with the kids and hotel thing. I have 4 kids and hubby would go on military travel and we would often tag along. I would spend half my time hushing the kids in the room so we would not bother others. But we were told many times we were perfect guests with the kids…
Amanda says:
I think that it would be great if you started blogging about your clothing deals from Target and other places! I would love to hear more about how you put outfits together. I think that you would put a funny and unique spin on the whole thing, and I know that people would love it! I loved your cooking/recipe posts and also love your sewing posts, so maybe this is just another topic to cover
Jeanie says:
Such cute pictures. I love the kids’ shirts!! So baseball-y.
Jolene says:
Oh Heather, that is too funny. That reminds me of our first little getaway weekend after Abbie was born. She was about 6 months old and I packed everything under the sun for her. I felt proud and I was one prepared mommy! HA….until we got to our hotel room and I realized I had LEFT MY BAG IN OUR BEDROOM AT HOME. That’s right…no clothes, no toothbrush (ew), no makeup (ew X 2…you do NOT want to see me without makeup! LOL)…no nothing. I made the best of it and bought some clothes and sucked it up and went without makeup. I figured I preferred forgetting my bag than Abbie’s. Now that would’ve been a disaster! Looks like you all had so much fun. The t-shirts are cute…but the kids in them…oh dear God…perfection!
Lisa says:
We will catch you next time-I worried about you guys on Saturday when we were hammered by some good monsoon rain! Glad you got to see some games. We went to one on Sunday, with our dogs and kids and one eight month old!
Sandra says:
Where did though get Annie’s shirt? It’s so cute! Of course, I would need it in Dodger Blue, though!
Heather says:
It’s from http://www.peekkids.com. I wish it came in Dodger blue!!
RzDrms says:
Came back to your site tonight to see if you’d posted yet for tomorrow, and seeing the photos again made me miss Maddie again. I won’t say that James reminds me of her, because every day I come here reminds me of her (as does purple, and any 5k race I ever walk), but seeing James’s eyes does sometimes make me think of her, although I know he’s Just James! Anyhow, I miss her for y’all. Glad your trip was nice and the weather cooler than normal; I just can’t high-five the scorching heat idea!
Jackie says:
I’d gladly trade the nearly 90 inches of snow we’ve had here in southeast MI…it literally started snowing on New Years Eve and hasn’t stopped! It’s been so cold the snow is barely melting. Whoa is me. I. Can’t. Take. It. Any. More!!
Sharon says:
After a few too many forgotten necessities on trips, I started a notebook with our packing lists. My hubby thinks it’s crazy but it helps me not forget anything. I make a list of what I need for each kid, and myself and compare it to the last time we went to that place (or somewhere similar). Life saver! Though I wouldn’t mind being “forced” to buy some new clothes…my mama wardrobe is getting really old and tired.
Susan says:
Ok, tad jealous looking at the pics. We love winter here in MI but wowsers we have had enough
Christina says:
Okay… browsing through Nordstrom’s, that shirt that Annie’s wearing is classified as a boys shirt. WHY??? Why isn’t it unisex? Why aren’t so many of them unisex? You browse the “girls” category and the clothes are a lot less playful and fun. There certainly is far less sporty shirts (if any at all). I’m saving images on Pinterest. Starting a kids clothing company with the focus on fun, playful, humorous girls clothes. ‘Lean In’ early, tots. There’s no other way. Mark my words. I. Will. Do. This.
Heather says:
I know, I ordered it from the “Boys” section, too. I was pretty disappointed in that. At this age, kids don’t need their clothes to be cut differently (their bodies are pretty much the same), so I don’t know why that couldn’t be unisex. I love your clothes idea!