Last Sunday, I took J.P. to his first Tennessee Titans game. The Titans were playing the Washington Redskins and although I'd pretty much decided to wait until next season to take him to a game, the weather was so nice - unseasonably warm with the temperature in the low 70s at game time - I couldn't resist the temptation to give him his first taste of professional football, live and in person. As we left the house and fought fairly heavy traffic for the short drive to the stadium, I think I was more excited than he was. Kickoff was set for noon and my plan was to stay at the game through halftime, then get J.P. home in time for his afternoon nap.
We arrived at the parking lot in time to visit briefly with our tailgate gang - Peter Klett, Dave "Big D." Stansell, Stuart Scott, et al. J.P. loves to see "Pedro" (Peter) and "Mr. Big D." While I got our gear together, he walked around in the back of my Yukon, checking things out. I had packed an Umbro bag with diapers, a change of clothes and a snack for J.P. I was a little concerned, because I didn't know if the security at the stadium would allow me to bring the bag inside.
It was a bit of a haul to get to our gate from where we parked, especially since J.P. insisted I carry him. As we got closer to the stadium and then, our gate, it got more and more crowded. I wasn't sure how J.P. would handle the crowd, but it didn't seem to bother him. As we waited in line at our gate, he just held on to me, his arms around my neck, taking it all in.
Inside, he enjoyed the long escalator we took up to our seats in the club section. I held his hand as we walked side by side down the concourse, until we stopped at a concession stand and bought a hamburger, french fries and a bottled water. We stopped by the windows in the inside lounge area and watched the Air Force jets do a flyover. Then, through the door and to our seats we went, arriving right after kickoff.
Mark (Puryear) was already in his seats with his son, Michael. They grinned at us as we made our way down the aisle to our seats. Over the past decade that the Titans have been in town, we've gotten to know the people that sit around us. They're kind of like our "football family" for eight Sundays every fall. I was a proud papa, as they patted me on the back, said hello to J.P. and held their hands out so he could "give them five."
The crowd was boisterous, cheering loudly, but J.P. didn't seem to mind a bit. He sat in my lap with a clear view of the game. Initially, instead of clapping, he waved in the direction of the field, first with his right hand, then with his left. I leaned a little closer to him and realized he was saying, "Hi football players!" while he was waving. Very funny and very cute. Early in the first quarter, the crowd exploded with cheers when the Titans' Marc Mariani returned a kickoff for a touchdown. We stood up and J.P. clapped excitedly.
When we sat down again, J.P. alternated between eating french fries, drinking bottled water and climbing in and out of his seat. He was perfectly content and seemed to be enjoying himself. "Man, this is going to be easy," I thought. "Maybe we'll stay for the whole game." Not so fast. With about five minutes left in the first quarter, J.P., turned to me and announced, "I'm ready to go home, daddy." Oh, boy.
I was determined to stick it out for the entire first quarter, which we did. After that, we went inside and visited a souvenir stand near our seats. I bought J.P. a Titans football and a small Titans helmet. We walked around a bit, then I introduced J.P. to the wonderful world of "Dippin' Dots." We sat on a couch and watched the game on television, while J.P. ate "Dippin' Dots" and played with his football. At halftime, we left, walked to my truck and drove home.
Overall, a successful and memorable day and one I'm guessing we're going to repeat many, many times over the coming years.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Jude and Cyndi
This is a great photo of Jude and Cyndi at the soccer filed at Belmont University, Sunday morning.
Leaf Party VIII
Hurricane Baines rolled into town Friday afternoon for Leaf Party Weekend. I took the day off and after running some errands in the morning, I met Troy, Cyndi, Wolf, Scout and Finn Baines at our house when they pulled up out front a little after 1 p.m. Troy and I immediately set out for Home Depot, so I could take advantage of his presence - as I do each year - to accomplish a few "fix it" items around the house.
Late in the afternoon, I went to Kroger, Troy and Jude took the kids to the Nature Adventure Science Center and Cyndi met a friend for a drink at Jackson's in Hillsboro Village. Friday evening, we all went to La Fiesta on Belmont Boulevard for dinner. J.P. and Finn alternated between eating, then crying, with J.P. crying loudest when he smashed his finger in a door inside the restaurant.
Saturday morning, a few minutes after 6 a.m., I awoke to the sound of voices murmuring nearby. I rolled over, confused, then realized Scout had gotten into bed with us and was talking to Jude. I was reminded of how happy it makes me to have the Baines back at our house, because Scout always gets into bed with us in the mornings when they're here. And, she always wakes me up.
I slipped out of bed, quietly, so as to not wake J.P., and put on my running gear. I drove over to Shelby Park, then had a fantastic 6-mile trail run in Shelby Bottoms. It was a beautiful morning with perfect fall weather. After I finished the run, I cooled down by walking up the road that runs out of the park, by the Cumberland River. There was a slight breeze and I amused myself by trying to catch autumn leaves falling from the trees like snow. With the Leaf Party and the entire weekend with our friends ahead of us, I was in a great mood. I even ran into Cyndi, who had driven over the part herself to get in a quick run.
About 11 a.m., guests started to arrive for the party. It was all we could do to convince Wolf, Scout and my niece, Kaitlyn, to wait to rake up the leaves and start playing in them. We had a great crowd and, as always, the kids absolutely loved playing in the leaves. On one side of the sidewalk in our front yard, our friends, Rob and Roseann, sat playing in a small pile of leaves with their 9 month old son, Jordan. On the other side of the sidewalk, it was mass chaos, as the kids took turns jumping into a huge pile of leaves. In our backyard, another group of kids played soccer, or a form of soccer, because there really isn't enough room to play a real game.
Saturday afternoon, after the party was over and everyone had left, it was nap time. Not for Wolf, Scout and me, though, as we continued our annual tradition of taking a Saturday afternoon walk. We walked up to the soccer field at Belmont University and threw the frisbee for a while. Then, we walked over to Belmont Boulevard and stopped in at a candy store on the edge of campus. On the way home, we played follow the leader. It was comical, actually, perfectly copied everything I did all the way home. Saturday evening, Troy and I picked up pizza for everyone from Mellow Mushroom.
Sunday morning, Cyndi, Scout and Wolf ran to Bongo Java. Jude, Troy, J.P., Finn and I drove to Bongo Java and met them there. We ate breakfast inside, all 8 of us crammed in together around a small table. When we finished eating, we walked over to the soccer field at Belmont. First, we threw the frisbee again, then we played soccer. Finn and J.P. ran around the tennis courts, as Jude and Cyndi watched them. It's hard to explain, but it was a perfect morning. We had the soccer field to ourselves and it was so much fun to watch the kids play and to play with them.
We watched the first half of the Titans' game, made smoothies, then it was time to load the minivan and say goodbye. The weekend flew by, like it always does, and Jude and I were more than a little saddened by the silence in our house after we put J.P. down for a nap. Hurricane Baines roared into town, then just as quickly, it was gone.
It was a great weekend.
Late in the afternoon, I went to Kroger, Troy and Jude took the kids to the Nature Adventure Science Center and Cyndi met a friend for a drink at Jackson's in Hillsboro Village. Friday evening, we all went to La Fiesta on Belmont Boulevard for dinner. J.P. and Finn alternated between eating, then crying, with J.P. crying loudest when he smashed his finger in a door inside the restaurant.
Saturday morning, a few minutes after 6 a.m., I awoke to the sound of voices murmuring nearby. I rolled over, confused, then realized Scout had gotten into bed with us and was talking to Jude. I was reminded of how happy it makes me to have the Baines back at our house, because Scout always gets into bed with us in the mornings when they're here. And, she always wakes me up.
I slipped out of bed, quietly, so as to not wake J.P., and put on my running gear. I drove over to Shelby Park, then had a fantastic 6-mile trail run in Shelby Bottoms. It was a beautiful morning with perfect fall weather. After I finished the run, I cooled down by walking up the road that runs out of the park, by the Cumberland River. There was a slight breeze and I amused myself by trying to catch autumn leaves falling from the trees like snow. With the Leaf Party and the entire weekend with our friends ahead of us, I was in a great mood. I even ran into Cyndi, who had driven over the part herself to get in a quick run.
About 11 a.m., guests started to arrive for the party. It was all we could do to convince Wolf, Scout and my niece, Kaitlyn, to wait to rake up the leaves and start playing in them. We had a great crowd and, as always, the kids absolutely loved playing in the leaves. On one side of the sidewalk in our front yard, our friends, Rob and Roseann, sat playing in a small pile of leaves with their 9 month old son, Jordan. On the other side of the sidewalk, it was mass chaos, as the kids took turns jumping into a huge pile of leaves. In our backyard, another group of kids played soccer, or a form of soccer, because there really isn't enough room to play a real game.
Saturday afternoon, after the party was over and everyone had left, it was nap time. Not for Wolf, Scout and me, though, as we continued our annual tradition of taking a Saturday afternoon walk. We walked up to the soccer field at Belmont University and threw the frisbee for a while. Then, we walked over to Belmont Boulevard and stopped in at a candy store on the edge of campus. On the way home, we played follow the leader. It was comical, actually, perfectly copied everything I did all the way home. Saturday evening, Troy and I picked up pizza for everyone from Mellow Mushroom.
Sunday morning, Cyndi, Scout and Wolf ran to Bongo Java. Jude, Troy, J.P., Finn and I drove to Bongo Java and met them there. We ate breakfast inside, all 8 of us crammed in together around a small table. When we finished eating, we walked over to the soccer field at Belmont. First, we threw the frisbee again, then we played soccer. Finn and J.P. ran around the tennis courts, as Jude and Cyndi watched them. It's hard to explain, but it was a perfect morning. We had the soccer field to ourselves and it was so much fun to watch the kids play and to play with them.
We watched the first half of the Titans' game, made smoothies, then it was time to load the minivan and say goodbye. The weekend flew by, like it always does, and Jude and I were more than a little saddened by the silence in our house after we put J.P. down for a nap. Hurricane Baines roared into town, then just as quickly, it was gone.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Pullups
When I got home from work today, J.P. met me at the front door with a big smile on his face. "I've got a surprise for you, Dad," he said. "I'm wearing pullups!" As he said this, he tugged at the waistband of his blue jeans and proudly showed me the top of the pullups.
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "That's awesome." He grinned up at me, really pleased with himself.
Inwardly, I think I sighed and felt a twinge of sadness and a little nostalgia. My son is growing up so fast and I'm powerless to stop him.
There's a first time for everything. The problem, though, is that there's a last time for everything, too. Like wearing regular diapers.
"Wow!" I exclaimed. "That's awesome." He grinned up at me, really pleased with himself.
Inwardly, I think I sighed and felt a twinge of sadness and a little nostalgia. My son is growing up so fast and I'm powerless to stop him.
There's a first time for everything. The problem, though, is that there's a last time for everything, too. Like wearing regular diapers.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Ghost Cake
Last Thursday, J.P. "helped" Jude mix the batter and bake the "ghost cake."
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
La Fiesta!
Saturday night, J.P., Jude and I had dinner at La Fiesta on Belmont Boulevard with our friends, Roseann and Rob and their son, Jordan. Roseann delivered J.P., as in delivered him at Baptist Hospital on March 28, 2008. It's Dr. Maikis when she's wearing scrubs.
This is a great photo of Roseann and Jordan.
Finger Painting
Sunday, November 7, 2010
The Magic Shirt
Maybe it was the food. Maybe it was the wine. Maybe it was the company. Probably, it was the shirt.
You work, you come home, you eat, you play, you sleep and every now and then, if you're lucky, you stumble into the perfect night. Tonight was one of those nights.
Tonight, Jude was set to attend "A Women's Thanksgiving," Renewal House's biggest fundraising event of the year. My friend, Hal Humphreys, called this afternoon and, since his wife, Kim, was attending the event, too, he suggested J.P. and I meet him at Rumor's Wine Bar on 12th Avenue for dinner. Nothing like boys night out, I thought, and quickly agreed to meet him there after J.P woke up from his nap.
J.P. and I drove up to Rumor's about 5:30 p.m. When we arrived, Hal was already there and we settled in at a table in a corner in the front room. Our friend, Michael (an amazing chef), was cooking and we had a fantastic dinner (Hal had the short ribs and I had the trout) and a nice bottle of wine (pinot noir). Actually, we had the run of the place, which was perfect for J.P., because he was able to walk around without bothering anyone.
At first, J.P. and Hal exchanged "you 'da man" pleasantries (a game Hal has played with J.P. since he was very young). J.P. alternating between climbing up, next to Hal, and feeling his beard, then climbing back up on the bench between us to grab a handful of food. He was particularly taken with Michael, as evidenced by the fact he spent the last part of the evening standing in the edge of the kitchen, talking to him and watching him work. Michael was nice enough to share several slices of apple with J.P.
We were there a almost two hours and, really, I wish I could've stopped time and just stayed there, enjoying the evening. Great conversation with a close friend, a great meal, great wine and my heart filled with pride and joy as I watched my son interact with Hal, Michael and Jenn. A night to remember and a memory I'll always treasure.
Oh, yeah, the shirt. Before we left, I fished my old, favorite rugby shirt out of my closet. The only rugby shirt, actually, that I have left over from the days - twenty years ago - when rugby shirts were "in." It's a J. Crew rugby shirt, really comfortable, and I probably haven't worn it for five years. I think the shirt just has good karma and when I wear it - which is rarely - good times are sure to follow.
You work, you come home, you eat, you play, you sleep and every now and then, if you're lucky, you stumble into the perfect night. Tonight was one of those nights.
Tonight, Jude was set to attend "A Women's Thanksgiving," Renewal House's biggest fundraising event of the year. My friend, Hal Humphreys, called this afternoon and, since his wife, Kim, was attending the event, too, he suggested J.P. and I meet him at Rumor's Wine Bar on 12th Avenue for dinner. Nothing like boys night out, I thought, and quickly agreed to meet him there after J.P woke up from his nap.
J.P. and I drove up to Rumor's about 5:30 p.m. When we arrived, Hal was already there and we settled in at a table in a corner in the front room. Our friend, Michael (an amazing chef), was cooking and we had a fantastic dinner (Hal had the short ribs and I had the trout) and a nice bottle of wine (pinot noir). Actually, we had the run of the place, which was perfect for J.P., because he was able to walk around without bothering anyone.
At first, J.P. and Hal exchanged "you 'da man" pleasantries (a game Hal has played with J.P. since he was very young). J.P. alternating between climbing up, next to Hal, and feeling his beard, then climbing back up on the bench between us to grab a handful of food. He was particularly taken with Michael, as evidenced by the fact he spent the last part of the evening standing in the edge of the kitchen, talking to him and watching him work. Michael was nice enough to share several slices of apple with J.P.
We were there a almost two hours and, really, I wish I could've stopped time and just stayed there, enjoying the evening. Great conversation with a close friend, a great meal, great wine and my heart filled with pride and joy as I watched my son interact with Hal, Michael and Jenn. A night to remember and a memory I'll always treasure.
Oh, yeah, the shirt. Before we left, I fished my old, favorite rugby shirt out of my closet. The only rugby shirt, actually, that I have left over from the days - twenty years ago - when rugby shirts were "in." It's a J. Crew rugby shirt, really comfortable, and I probably haven't worn it for five years. I think the shirt just has good karma and when I wear it - which is rarely - good times are sure to follow.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Halloween!
Sunday night, Jude, her parents and I took J.P. (dressed as a fireman) trick-or-treating on Oakland Avenue, a street a half mile or so away from our house. We met Jude's cousin, Chad White, and his wife, Misty, and their kids, Colton (a.k.a. "Cletus") and Maddie, at my old friend David Bailey's house. David and his wife invited several families over for Halloween, so we all left from his house and "worked" both sides of the street.
The homeowners on Oakland Avenue really take Halloween seriously. Several (including my friend, Ken "Frankenstein" Weber) dressed up in costumes to hand out candy to the children. There were Halloween decorations everywhere, on houses and in yards. Best of all, there were children everywhere, all trick-or-treating.
J.P. seemed to enjoy himself, although he was a bit overwhelmed at times by the crowd. Jude held his hand as they walked up to house after house to trick-or-treat. Jude's parents, Jim and Jane, enjoyed watching him while I took pictures. At one house, a nice lady gave him a glow-in-the-dark bracelet, which he played with the rest of the night. Good stuff.
The homeowners on Oakland Avenue really take Halloween seriously. Several (including my friend, Ken "Frankenstein" Weber) dressed up in costumes to hand out candy to the children. There were Halloween decorations everywhere, on houses and in yards. Best of all, there were children everywhere, all trick-or-treating.
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