Dead computers, travel and baseball games… Oh My!
So I just got back from a certain conference with a certain manufacturer in New Jersey. (Yeah, I know! I have NO clue why they’d invite me either.) I can’t wait to talk about the all expenses paid trip but will have to do so on my review blog.
My computer is hosed right now. The hubby has let me use his laptop for a few minutes. So I just wanted to post a little “hi.” And let you know my posting/visiting/Twittering will be sporadic over the next few days. (Or until I get a computer to use.) Am all twitchy — haven’t read your blogs in about a week. Am dying to know what’s going on with you all.
We took Seth to his first Cards game this past Friday night. It was FREEZING. But fun. Even with discounted tickets (in the nosebleeds) it still added up to be an expensive family outing. So I’m just wondering, have you taken your kids to a professional sporting event yet? If not, why? If so, why? Is cost an issue? Do you figure “it costs what it costs” or do you cringe anytime you add up how much you paid for the entire adventure?
Just wondering…
MammaLoves on 06 Apr 2008 at 6:15 pm #
My husband’s firm has season’s tickets to the Nats. It makes it easier for us to go–though feeding three hungry boys and their parents isn’t cheap and the new stadium prices are supposed to be outrageous. Given how much my boys (and their mamma) love baseball though it’s always a fun outing. We don’t even get to use all the tickets we have actually because we’re out on the field so much.
Missing you. Wish I knew you were going to be in NJ, I would have gone. Still not facing the reality that you won’t be at BH.
Stimey on 06 Apr 2008 at 9:42 pm #
We took two of our guys to a Nats game and it cost us a fortune. I don’t even want to think about the cost per minute divided by fun had equation.
Hope your computer heals itself.
mayberry on 07 Apr 2008 at 12:49 am #
We’ve only done minor league baseball so far. Kind of the same experience from a kid’s POV but way cheaper.
abunslife on 07 Apr 2008 at 12:59 am #
We just went today! We usually buy a 5-10 game pack every year and take the kids a few times, but we can still get away with both of them sitting on our laps. I take bottled water and snacks so we don’t have to pay SO much while we are there. The kids share a big pretzel and popcorn while hubby and I each get a nachos and beer. There’s 30+ bucks. We all have fun and I try not to think about the fact that we just spent 100+ bucks for a few hours of fun after the tickets, parking and food. It’s family time and knowing that they really enjoyed themselves and that we did too is what it is all about. I’m willing to sacrifice eating our lunch out for the next week or two for that.
Believer in Balance on 07 Apr 2008 at 5:17 pm #
You must have been at this same mysterious conference I see referenced on different blogs. I feel so out of the loop! Camp Baby? What is that? Is that where you were too? Anyway, my Dad and I take my daughter to a Red Sox game every year and unfortunately it is expensive. (My hubby and other daughter are Yankee fans. Booooo!!!) I just deal with the cost though because we’re creating lifetime memories. Of course, I wouldn’t waste the money unless it was our absolute favorite team!
Jenni on 07 Apr 2008 at 5:58 pm #
I haven’t taken my daughter (8 yrs old) to a professional sporting event - yet. I think this summer I’ll take her to a baseball game. We live on the other side of Missouri so we’ll be going to a Royals game. My boss’s wife’s company has tickets and if they aren’t all claimed by people at her company they’ll offer them up over here. The tickets are fabulous seats - I took my parents the first summer I was working here - and they come with a free parking pass. I hoping to get tickets on a dollar day (WooWhoo $1 hot dogs!).
I did take her to High School Musical on Ice! Talk about over-priced! After tickets and all the random crap that I got suckered into buying we were well over $100 for just the two of us! And all I bought for me was a $1.50 cappuccino…
mamatulip on 07 Apr 2008 at 6:14 pm #
Cost is always an issue for us, especially if it’s something that’s out of town, given the way gas prices are right now.
Sad, but true.
candid on 07 Apr 2008 at 6:23 pm #
We haven’t done the big game out yet, they’re just too small. I’d love to take my nine year old to a Drillers game (not major league, but still pricey!) but the others would want to go. My daughter would bore of it easily. My Midget would climb all the bleachers! Blah! So….we wait….
From the Air & Space museum to the Zoo….everything is crazy expensive when you multiply it by four or five!! My oldest son loves to go paint balling, I feel like I just hand them my checkbook!!
Andrea on 07 Apr 2008 at 7:47 pm #
The only time we ever go to professional sporting events is when I get tickets through my work. The ticket and parking are free, but it’s still an expensive night what with babysitting, dinner, and of course game food and a ballpark beer. So yeah, there’ll be very little whole family outings to baseball games in the future, except maybe minor league. Grizzlies games over in Columbia, IL are a lot cheaper and still just as much fun.
Nap Warden on 07 Apr 2008 at 9:24 pm #
Oh no…I hate computer crashing:( That’s what pushed me into buying a Mac.
Husband is at the season opener today…haven’t brought the kiddos to any sports events yet. I don’t think they could sit still that long:)
Kathy on 08 Apr 2008 at 11:57 am #
I am a huge Cards fan. My kids both went to their first game when they were two. To quote an overused cliche: 4 tickets- $120, Parking - $5, Hotdogs & Soda - $35, the look on your child’s face when Albert Pujols hits a home run - priceless. I will give up a shopping trip or two to see that look. GO CARDS!!!!
Lisa on 08 Apr 2008 at 12:11 pm #
We just went to a yankeee game, just the husband and myself. $50 tix, plus a beer and a hot dog and a hat. We have tix to 3 more games and I might give one of my tix to my son. Would love to go more often but damn! Too much money!!
Alexandra on 08 Apr 2008 at 6:27 pm #
I don’t have any rugrats of my own, but I have on occasion taken my nephew to see the Astros. Yeah, thank God (for that reason) that he lives out of town, or I’d be collecting welfare! OUCH!!!!
It’s, “Tia, buy me this, Tia, buy me that…” for hours! I guess I COULD say no to him, but I figure, I don’t see him that often, so I can spoil him. Besides, I’m his favorite aunt!
Jen on 09 Apr 2008 at 2:37 am #
We took our daughter to her second Cardinal game on Friday. She is 14 months old. It is tough to find a sitter, and we have no family in town. We will probably rethink things once she needs her own ticket.
Ree on 12 Apr 2008 at 1:44 am #
My kid grew up at Tiger Stadium and The Palace. I could have put 5 kids through college for what I’ve spent on sports tickets. But he loves it and he’s a great kid.
mp on 19 Apr 2008 at 7:09 pm #
We go to the game if we get free tickets…free parking is a bonus..sometimes we take metrolink..
No beer..a couple soda’s..it’s still expensive.