Play Ball!!!

Well, it's official... the 2010 season of the Magnolia Little League has begun.  Every year, right around now, the community comes out of hibernation, and celebrates the day with a parade down McGraw in the middle of....oh, let's just call it.... Mayberry.  Yep, Magnolia Village is about as close as you get to good old Mayberry (you know, the Andy Griffith show from way back when you were just a wee child...at least I was).  Everything you need is here in the village (family doctor, dentist, dry cleaner, ice cream shop, boutique, hardware store, drug store, book store, grocery store(s), bakery, pie shop, gym, karate studio, Starbucks, Tully's, and of course the local watering hole).  You never really even need to leave Mayberry, I mean Magnolia, if you don't want to.  As a matter of fact, one would have no need to ever drive to or through Magnolia if you didn't live here or know someone who lives here that you were visiting.  Yup, it's our little 'destination location' right here in the city.  Close enough to downtown Seattle so that you can enjoy the urban life, but still a sleepy little bedroom community like the burbs, safe enough to raise the kids in (but we have way better views of the Puget Sound, Olympic Mountains, and Mt. Rainier than those suburban east siders). 

Mt. Rainer looming big. 








Snow capped Olympic Mountains.

Ferry in the Puget Sound

The Olypmic Mountains 

Photos taken from our back deck...hello!!


Anyhow, back to the parade....everything from street closures, police at the ready, firetrucks driving down McGraw, followed by the Ballard High School band.  The only thing missing this year was the Seattle Mariners mascot!!!  Where was the Moose??  He usually makes an appearance at the top of the hill keeping the kids entertained before they start the parade, but I didn't see him mingling this year.  Must have been booked for another high paying gig.  Here's a picture of him from 2 years ago with the kids:

March 2008 - MTI Physical Therapy Tball team with Mariners Moose

(Nikolaus was 5 and Alex 3) 

Alex wasn't even on the team, but marched in the parade with them anyways!  Big surprise!

Once again, hundreds of kids all geared up sporting their new uniforms and hats, and then the marching started, down the huge hill (McGraw is quite the incline if you want to get a cardio workout in).  Luckily, I didn't see any major trips or tumbles this year, but I bet there was one or two...always is.  A few years ago (same year as the picture above was taken I think), Nikolaus was one of the tumblers when he got caught on the 'way too long' banner for 5 year olds and the whole team went head first into the pavement.  Nikolaus ended up with a bloody nose during the parade.  That's the way to start up the season...intimate the competition with a little blood.  You go, Nikolaus!!

Anyhow, each team held their mostly custom painted banners proudly and tossed candy out to the anxious crowd.  One little girl (who I guess was about 10 years old), was waiting at the ready on the side of the parade grabbing all the candy she could get her greedy little hands on, and stuffing her white trash bag FULL.  Save some for the little ones darling.  Hope she's got a good dentist and some good brushing techniques, cause she's gonna need it!!  Here's Alex with his buddy Caplan throwing the stash at the crowd and the lovely custom made banner:

Luckily, the weather was gorgeous today!  Sun and mid-60's today.  Great start to what is sure to be a great season.  Alex participated in the festivities with his team (MTI Physical Therapy), this is his 2nd year playing T-ball.  So he should prove to be quite the star this year.  Unfortunately, Nikolaus woke up with a fever this morning of about 101, and is still nursing this dang sore throat (that's a whole other story I'll have to blog about soon).  So he decided to stay home with Peter and rest up .... Poor bud.  But better to stay home and get well, so you can be a starter in the game next week!!   Here's a picture of Nikolaus' team (sans Nikolaus).  He's on David Ardnt DDS (one of Magnolia's local dentist and team coach, standing on the right in back row).

Now let's 'PLAY BALL'!!!