Santa's $5 giftcard to Starbuck's took Mama and Lil' on an unexpected adventure today.
While waiting for our tasty treats Lil' spied a very tall woman wearing the BSU logo on "both her pants and her shirt!" She immediately struck up a conversation with this gal and sang her the BSU fight song with more enthusiasm than I've ever seen. As it turns out Lil' was singing to the assistant coach of the BSU Women's Basketball team and got herself invited to the game at 2:00. Coach thought it would be fun for Lil' to sing to the team in the locker room before the game and sit on the bench with the team during the game. Lil' and I came home and Lil' spent the next few hours preparing. She got her pom-poms and BSU baton (orange and blue from the dollarstore) out and practiced her moves.
Lil' was full of questions as we drove to the game.
"How long until we are there?"
"About 10 minutes"
"Where were we going"
"To Bronco Town" - a term Lil' came up with for the BSU campus.
"But where?"
"To Taco Bell Arena where the basketball team plays"
"I'm going to Taco Ballerina?!"
"Huh?"
"Taco Ballerina?"
"No darling, not ballerina. Taco Bell Arena" --Although from her spot in the backseat of the car I can see how it all got messed up in translation.
We arrived at the game and discovered that due to a scheduling change she wouldn't be going to the locker room but she was given a "Ball Girl and #1 Fan shirt". While chatting with our new coach friend I asked if I could get Lil's picture taken with a few players. She told me that we could do it right after the game.
We opted out of sitting with the bench as it was not the way that Lil' was going to get a great view but instead got great seats perpendicular to the bench right behind the basket in the third row. Warm ups were exciting but Lil' wanted her turn to shoot the basketball. She did get more interested in the players when during those warmups one of the players waved to Lil'.
This made her excited. The player introductions with orange and blue spotlights was also pretty cool. She wasn't very interested in the game but did enjoy running up and down the row flipping all the stadium style seats down (which wasn't a problem since we had the whole row to ourselves). Mid way through the first half we took a snack break. While in line we saw the secretary from Mama's school, which was an added bonus at this point in the adventure. Popcorn, a hot dog and a huge drink got us through the rest of the first half and once again Lil's interest was peaked when a few more players waved as they headed to the locker room. During halftime Lil' went to the very edge of the floor and did some dancing. She had quite an audience since the cheerleaders are all currently in Arizona getting ready for the big game on Monday.
Towards the end of halftime when I finally had to go out on the floor myself to get Lil' before the teams ran out I went to the section of the stands lining the corridor where the team would return. The girls were gathered at the far end of the corridor as a group waiting to return. Lil' knew this was a great opportunity to do some cheering and again belted out her fight song chant. This made the girls momentarily turn to look at Lil'. A few moments later as the Broncos were brought back into the stadium by announcer an amazing thing happened. Her name is Stephanie Storms and she is a freshman on the basketball team. She was also the first one to run down the corridor and as she neared Lil' she ran from one side of the corridor to the side where Lil' was still cheering. As she ran up to Lil' she threw her hand in the air to give Lil' a high five. I didn't even have to tell Lil' what was happening. She was ready! She got her high five from Stephanie and every other member of the team who followed her lead. 20 or so high fives for one very excited Lil'. During the second half Lil' wanted to leave the game. I kept reminding her about the pictures which would hold her attention until the next time the very loud buzzer went off and she was ready to go home again. As the end of the game drew near and a Bronco victory was assured Lil' and I got ready. With camera in hand and my girl at the very edge of the floor we waited. The final buzzer sounded and all the girls came over to get pictures taken with her. They again all gave her high fives and got down at her level to say hello and hear her do her cheer.
Starbuck's Giftcard from Santa $5.00
Popcorn, Hotdog, Soda $9.50
Spending the last day of 2009 with the BSU Women's Basketball Team: Priceless
