Here we are again 6 months later and going into the fall of 2018. This summer has been an incredible one – and the change is you in happening daily. What hasn’t changed – you are still sweet as ever.
Lots of firsts this summer:
- Caught first fish
- First MLB game
- First dance recital
- First bike
- First swimming lesson
- First Starbucks
Swimming
As you can see it has been busy! Probably the most surprising part of the year has been your new found love for swimming. When we first took you to Maui getting you into the pool was a struggle. We would hold you and swim around with you and half the time you cried and screamed to get out. However this summer was different. Your friends Ally and Macy from two doors down have a pool – and in an effort to play with them more you have taken to swimming. After you started swimming more we needed to ensure that, well, you could swim. You started lessons and have been in the pool multiple times a week. You have improved tremendously and hoping that by next summer you can swim on your own.
Fishing
You were finally old enough for me to take you fishing as well! After a failed attempt at finding a pole in Hailey (bought a pole that then didn’t have a line on it), we found you a Mickey Mouse pole in Ketchum. We then headed to Penny Lake out warm springs, where basically you will catch fish unless actively to try to not catch fish. After a few minutes there we hooked one, and you reeled it in (see video below) almost all by yourself. You were so excited, and to my surprise wanted to pick up the fish and hold it. You were not squeamish at all about it being slimy or alive – you picked it up and posed. We stuck around for a while longer and caught a couple more fish until you got bored. I want to at some point take you out fly fishing but hopefully in this case just made it fun enough to instill excitement.
Baseball Game
Selfishly, and probably not surprisingly, this was the highlight of my summer. I wanted to take you to a game last year but you were still a bit young to both appreciate it and deal with the travel. This year was perfect, and I picked a day game in August where the Rockies were playing the Pirates. Here is the play-by-play (pun intended).
We flew out of Boise on a Wednesday morning on a direct flight to Denver. One of the perks of traveling as much as I do is that I have flight status, so we were both upgraded to first class for the flight.
You watched the Greatest Showman (your favorite movie at the time) and had apple juice. At this point you are an expert flier.
We landed at DIA and made our way down to the train that goes from the airport to Union Station. Because I didn’t bring a carseat we did all public transit or walked. I got us a hotel in the middle of downtown so that we could access everything easily. This was your first time on a train, and to say you were excited would not be fair – you were ecstatic.
When we arrived at Union Station we were immersed in people. You haven’t had too many instances like this – where there is actually a crowd. We made our way through the station and walked to the stadium. It was a perfect day.
We went into the stadium and got snacks, stopped by the gift shop and then took our seats. We were pretty close behind home plate, but it was a sunny day and you were getting hot so after a couple innings we moved up a few rows into the shade.
You did awesome at the game. It didn’t hurt that I bought you a hat, beads, popcorn and, actually another first, cotton candy. You were skeptical at first, as you are about most things, but ended up loving the cotton candy.
Mom was of course nervous about the trip for a variety of reasons – but one that stood out was foul balls. In the years after your mom and I got married and before we had kids I played in baseball leagues while we lived in San Diego and Denver. It was pretty fun, and in SD specifically pretty good competition. One game I remember looking back and not seeing mom in the stands anymore. I wasn’t concerned, but was curious as to what happened. After the game ended I was packing up and she re-appeared. I came to find out that during the game a foul ball had gone into the stands, and she had a striking fear about getting hit by one. She had disappeared and spent the game reading a book in the car.
When I got our tickets her first question was about foul balls. I assured her that I bought tickets directly behind home plate specifically because there would be a net that extended from the backstop to the announcers stand – protecting everyone in that area from foul balls. When we got there I realized that Coors Field did not have one of these nets. My first thought was of your mom.
I am obviously not scared of foul balls, and the probability of one coming near are slim to none so I didn’t think much of it. But sure enough in the fifth inning, a Rockies batter fouled one off right in our direction. The first thought was of your mom and how I was going to get you hit by a foul ball and never, ever live it down. Fortunately it was a high foul ball so I had time to react. I stood up, reached over the seats in front of us (which were vacant) and caught the ball with my right hand. The crowd cheered and I sat back down next to you and gave you the ball. In true Harper fashion, rather than being excited about the ball you said “you bumped me” with your bottom lip hanging out. I apologized and gave you the ball. Then sent this pic to your mom to let her know you were ok.
You made it to the 7th inning stretch – which for a 4 year old is impressive. After the game we walked to our hotel, checked in and went up to the room. This was not your first time staying in a hotel, but the only other time was a Holiday Inn Express when we were moving from Trailwood to 14th so this was the first time you remembered. You were pretty excited. Jumping on the bed, watching cartoons, and we even got a little room service.
After getting settled we headed out to dinner. The 16th street promenade has busses that go up and down it all day/night, so we jumped on a bus (you love busses) and went to Yardhouse because it was near the theatre. We had some dinner and then went to see Christopher Robin in the movie theatre. You had more candy and snacks and sat through the whole movie.
After the movie we took a bus back towards our hotel, walked to the room, and as soon as we got inside you said “Daddy I’m tired, I think I’m going to go to bed” – and you were out like a light. The next morning we got on the bus, took it to Union Station, got on the train, got on the plane and went home. You told mom and Ethan all about our trip. You had the best time – and for me you created a memory that I will never forget and forever cherish. Since then you ask to watch baseball proactively – and we have watched many games together.
The rest of summer
You got your first real bike! I bought it in Sun Valley when we were there and got the last one they had. Was crazy because I didn’t settle and just grab the one I could find – the bike fit your personality perfectly. Since getting the bike you ride almost daily all around the driveway and cul-de-sac. Your friends have bikes too and you guys ride around in a little posse. We ride to the park nearby and to Bown Crossing to get lunch.
At the end of May you also had your first dance recital. You can see in the video – you are obviously a gifted dancer. You did so well and had so much fun doing it – although I think your favorite part was the flowers that you got afterwards.
We also went and saw the hot air balloon festival one morning while it was going on. We woke up around 6, got dressed and was at the park before 6:30 to get a good spot (had to get there before it got light out). It was a little cold and wet but you loved it. We watched the balloons for a couple hours. They were letting kids get int he baskets and go up 20 feet or so in the air – but you refused, which came as no surprise.
The rest of the summer was spent playing with friends, trips to Sun Valley, more swimming and hanging out with us. You are growing up so fast and can do so many things now. You started your second year of preschool in September and love it, and we are beginning to look at kindergartens for you next year. You are more fun to play with every day that passes, and as always a joy to have around. Can’t wait to update you again 6 months from now.
I love you more than you will ever know.
Love, Dad
