Big Boy Experiences Big East Basketball (Finn does too)

Our friend Rich is a huge Big East basketball fan. Growing up in Syracuse has a way of doing that, I guess. He wanted to go see a University of Cincinnati game with us sometime and I figured that Finn should come along too. We all got into the trusty car and Sarah dropped us off by UC. There were quite a number of noteworthy events on the trip. First, it was Finn's first trip in his new car seat. Second, it was his first college basketball game. Finally, we passed the St. George Cathedral that was on fire the night before.


After 13 months, Finn is finally not an infant anymore having met two criteria: 1) attended a college basketball game and 2) is too big for the infant car seat. The above picture shows his new fancy car seat, complete with a cup holder. Many babies pass the infant car seat's 20 pound limit well before they reach a year old, but not our little guy.

Besides the new car seat, this photo also highlights his Elmer Fudd cap. It has been cold around here lately, and the fleece cap with ear flaps works well to keep his head warm. It's a touch of Wisconsin that has followed us to Ohio.

At the game Finn was a perfect child. He watched the game, clapped at the appropriate times and batted his eyes at the cheerleaders. The bearcat mascot came up to say hi to all the kids in the section, but Finn was fast asleep as he was for all of halftime and the second half. I still got a picture of the bearcat. Having been a mascot (at Chuck E Cheese) I know what the guy in the costume is going through and it's not fun. Luckily I didn't see anyone hitting or kicking him.


Finn didn't miss much in the second half. UC lost the lead late in the first half and never threatened in the second thanks to poor shooting and worse defense. On the walk back we passed the Old St. George Church that had caught fire the previous night. The metal framework of the steeples can be seen peeking over the campus building. Luckily, it was mainly the steeples that burned and the building was saved.


So it was quite a day for Finn. He got to see a Wisconsin basketball team win, ride in his new car seat, and see how firemen protected his city. All-in-all a very nice Saturday.