Well, I found Florida's better version of Disney world. It's called the Super Bowl and its being held in Tampa this year. There are many festivities going around town and since a $1,500 ticket is out of range for us (my dreams of attending a Super Bowl systemically crushed by capitalism) we decided to attend the NFL Experience being held adjacent to Raymond James Stadium where the SB is being played. In a word it was NFLtastic. It was a sunny, warm day (finally!) and we spent the afternoon partaking in the myriad of events offered. The experience was over 850,000 square feet of interactive games, information, food and fun. They had every actual super bowl ring on display so we got to see the Packer's three rings from their SB wins (I, II and XXXI). They had the Vince Lombardi trophy on display that will be awarded to the winner this Sunday. "Weighing in at seven pounds and stretching to a height of 22 inches....no not Quentin but the Lombardi trophy!" Tiffany and Company actually makes the trophy. So there! There is something for the girls if they don't enjoy the hitting.
Quentin measured up pretty well. He got to see if his feet were as big as Champ Bailey's (dad's were bigger) and he got to see if his pipes (biceps) measured up to some offensive linemen (they didn't...yet) and he watched as Wilson turned out regulation football after regulation football only a few feet away. It was actually quite interesting. The price of an NFL football? That would be $130. To watch one being made before your childlike eyes? Priceless. They are hand stitched you know. There was an opportunity to play in a sandbox the size of a football field complete with goal posts. You could practice extra points on a regulation field or kick field goals. You could meet players and get your pictures taken with them. You could drink $8 Coors lights. Sccccrreeeech (record skipping)! $8 Coors lights?!!?! Geez, I wouldn't drink a Coors light if it was a dollar. The NFL needs a new beer sponsor. You could practice throwing a ball or catching one, go through the NFL combine where you get to measure your speed, strength, agility and jumping capabilities. (I was breaking records). Oh, and Quentin enjoyed it too. Too much fun. We need to have more kids so we can go back next weekend!
Quentin was great through the whole experience. It was a ton of fun to get out of the house for that much time and be with a well behaved baby. He even made it through a session of NFL films, which led us to wonder if he could make it through a longer film at the theatre. We put that theory to the test on Sunday by taking him to "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" which we thought was a good film. This is the story of Benjamin being born an old man and aging backwards. Very interesting concept and provides perspective on the role death plays with the living. It got the wheels turning a bit and was fun to see. Quentin was a little loud at the start and had to be taken out for the first five minutes or so and then settled down. He made it through about three hours in total of being at the theatre. I think you really need to get out and do the things you normally would or you will go crazy with your newborn inside all day. It's good for all of us to get out of the house and learn to navigate places with a giant stroller. We feel it gives us handicap-like access. "Ya, I can sit here because I have this stroller. See? And do you see that newborn? Ya, exactly so stop harassing me and my kid." Works every time.
It was a great weekend for all of us. It was the last hurrah as I hit the road tomorrow morning. Heading through the Tampa airport should be interesting with celebs, athletes and the like heading through the airport too. Who knows, maybe there will be a bunch of famous people coming from Moline (ya right) on their way to Tampa on Thursday and I'll get to sit next to some billionaire yapping in my ear how great life is. I'll have to tell them what great would be...me in their luxury box for the game on Sunday. (The Suites are going for about $150,000). I've attached a pic of Carrie and Quentin (in the stroller) in front of the Packers section. I thought I got a great picture of the SB roman numerals only to later discover they hadn't put up the X yet so I have a great picture of SB LIII, which won't be happening for another ten years. Maybe back in Tampa? I'm always looking forward...
Quentin measured up pretty well. He got to see if his feet were as big as Champ Bailey's (dad's were bigger) and he got to see if his pipes (biceps) measured up to some offensive linemen (they didn't...yet) and he watched as Wilson turned out regulation football after regulation football only a few feet away. It was actually quite interesting. The price of an NFL football? That would be $130. To watch one being made before your childlike eyes? Priceless. They are hand stitched you know. There was an opportunity to play in a sandbox the size of a football field complete with goal posts. You could practice extra points on a regulation field or kick field goals. You could meet players and get your pictures taken with them. You could drink $8 Coors lights. Sccccrreeeech (record skipping)! $8 Coors lights?!!?! Geez, I wouldn't drink a Coors light if it was a dollar. The NFL needs a new beer sponsor. You could practice throwing a ball or catching one, go through the NFL combine where you get to measure your speed, strength, agility and jumping capabilities. (I was breaking records). Oh, and Quentin enjoyed it too. Too much fun. We need to have more kids so we can go back next weekend!
Quentin was great through the whole experience. It was a ton of fun to get out of the house for that much time and be with a well behaved baby. He even made it through a session of NFL films, which led us to wonder if he could make it through a longer film at the theatre. We put that theory to the test on Sunday by taking him to "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" which we thought was a good film. This is the story of Benjamin being born an old man and aging backwards. Very interesting concept and provides perspective on the role death plays with the living. It got the wheels turning a bit and was fun to see. Quentin was a little loud at the start and had to be taken out for the first five minutes or so and then settled down. He made it through about three hours in total of being at the theatre. I think you really need to get out and do the things you normally would or you will go crazy with your newborn inside all day. It's good for all of us to get out of the house and learn to navigate places with a giant stroller. We feel it gives us handicap-like access. "Ya, I can sit here because I have this stroller. See? And do you see that newborn? Ya, exactly so stop harassing me and my kid." Works every time.
It was a great weekend for all of us. It was the last hurrah as I hit the road tomorrow morning. Heading through the Tampa airport should be interesting with celebs, athletes and the like heading through the airport too. Who knows, maybe there will be a bunch of famous people coming from Moline (ya right) on their way to Tampa on Thursday and I'll get to sit next to some billionaire yapping in my ear how great life is. I'll have to tell them what great would be...me in their luxury box for the game on Sunday. (The Suites are going for about $150,000). I've attached a pic of Carrie and Quentin (in the stroller) in front of the Packers section. I thought I got a great picture of the SB roman numerals only to later discover they hadn't put up the X yet so I have a great picture of SB LIII, which won't be happening for another ten years. Maybe back in Tampa? I'm always looking forward...
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