When I was little and we would go visit my (maternal) grandparents my grandpa would ask us our age and then say a rhyme about that age: eight is great, nine is fine.. And of course seven is heaven.
Zach complains about his birthday some days. He doesn't get to take treats to school, it is hard to pull together a party because most of our buddies have headed out to escape the Texas heat.
This year was special though because his beloved Reds were playing the Houston Astros in Houston on his birthday. What are the chances? So despite it not being the beach vacation I yearn for we packed up (it is almost like a military maneuver these days) and headed to the Houston for a few days.
We had dinner with Rick's sister, spent a lot of time in the rooftop pool, and made a trip to the zoo. And of course we went to the game. The game was great fun as we spent the last of our life savings and got seats as close we could to the Reds dugout (11th row is what that means and since the Astros aren't that great, seat prices are). We went early so the boys could watch batting practice and get autographs. The ballpark was packed with Reds fans and had a dramatic comeback 8th inning for the Reds which included them bringing out their star closer (Aroldis Chapman - Zach got his autograph). Every pitch he made except one was 99 or higher with the fastest topping out at 102.
If things weren't so hectic here, I would have time to contemplate Z turning 7. SEVEN! How can that be? I am getting old.
