Natsfest and the Caravan

This weekend was the first annual Natsfest at Nationals Park, and boy did I have a good time.  I've been waiting for this day for so long, and it was great to see Nats fans all over

the park in the middle of winter!  The event included player autograph sessions, clubhouse tours and a special Kids Zone.  I spent most the day in the Kids Zone and there was so much to do in that room that I didn't know where to go first!  I "rocked" the crowd after playing some guitar (hero that is), learned that I really need to practice my tee ball skills, bounced in one of those huge bounce house thingies, and signed a bunch of autographs!  After spending most of the day there, George, Tom, Abe, Teddy and I made our ways over to the Stars and Stripes club to meet some other fans.  Before I knew it, the event was pretty much over and everybody headed home.  Natsfest was so much fun and got me even more excited for opening day!

The next day I headed out into DC along with a bunch of the players as part of the Nationals caravan.  The first place we stopped was Amidon-Bowen Elementary School in SW Washington where the students were treated to a special assembly.  The players

handed out red curly "W" hats to all of the students and stressed the importance of reading.  Next, the players each took turns reading to the students a Dr. Suess book titled, Oh The Places You'll Go.  After the book was finished, the principle announced to the students that they were in for a special treat that would be arriving from behind the curtain on stage since they were behaved so well.  That special treat was ME!  I jumped out from behind the curtain and onto the stage.  The students were shocked to see me!  I did my favorite belly dance, much to everyone's delight, and stayed around for pictures.  I was thrilled to see that so many of my friends were enthusiastic about reading, and I knew they'd all have very bright futures.

After we left Amidon-Bowen Elementary school, we were off to the Children's National Medical Center.  When we got there the players and I signed autographs and entertained the children who were staying at the hospital.  I helped a bunch of children color the "Screech Pictures" they all had and realized most of them could color in the lines better than I could!  It felt great to brighten up the days of the children who all needed an extra cheering up.