Payton's 5th Birthday Party

Back in March, Payton turned 5...in April he had a great party at the Cougars baseball game. 

Payton's 5th birthday party was held at the College of Charleston baseball stadium during a CofC baseball game.  His original party was supposed to be in mid-March while our family was in town.  Unfortunately, a very untimely and very brutal stomach bug attacked our house.  Meme, Payton and Owen were very sick and the birthday party has to be cancelled.  We rescheduled for Sunday afternoon on April 7th.  We wish our family could have been there for the game (and we wish we would have missed the bug completely!) but the game and party turned out to be perfect! 

Side note....On the day of Payton's first party, he got a very special phone call.  Eric found out Payton was sick and was having to miss his party...so, he made a special request and had Payton's favorite Tar Heel basketball player call Payton.  Reggie Bullock called Payton to wish him a happy birthday and to tell him to get well soon.  It turned out the day of Payton's original party was also Reggie's birthday.  The Heel's were playing the Terps at 3:00 that day.  Payton told Reggie good luck in the game....and Reggie responded by saying "We're gonna get the W for you!"  Reggie had an awesome game and the Tar Heels did indeed win the game.  Payton was SO excited and I think this is something he will remember for a long, long time!  Thanks to Reggie for being such an awesome person and role model...her certainly earned a few life long fans! 

Back to game day/party time....Payton was SUPER excited to learn that he would be able to throw out the first pitch for the game.  He lives for this sort of opportunity so it made his day!  

Payton warmed up on the sidelines before taking the mound. 

Payton is the little guy in the burgundy shirt out on the mound during the National Anthem.  

The announcer called his name and Payton walked up to the pitchers mound to throw the first pitch.

And, the pitch....

The wind up...

...the release....

...the ball floats through the air....

...and....the crowd goes WILD! 

The catcher catches it right over the plate...it is indeed a strike...the small crowd and players do indeed yell and clap...and my little 5 year old walks off the field like he gets paid for this sort of thing!  

The face of a champion.
He is meant to be a baller! 

And, over on the sidelines, Mommy is SO grateful to have her new sunglasses....not for the glare...but to hide my tears...I know he is only five and I know the fact that he made it over the plate for a CofC game will get him no further in life than if he had never stepped foot on the field...but, it was indeed one of those priceless moments in your child's life that money can't buy and photos can't really capture.  He may as well have thrown the game winning strike out of the World Series.  If that day ever comes, my tears will be the same...note to self: always pack sunglasses! 

The Cougars were awesome enough to give us a DVD with the live action shot as well.  We might cherish it forever!