Boys Night Out
Tobey shows off his new hat - “dude style”
Originally uploaded by aswitzer.
Last week, Tobey and I went to a Nuggets game at the Pepsi Center. The act of going to a Nuggets game was not all that unique, as Tobey has probably been to 6-7 games already in his life, but the fact that it was just “the boys” was a first.
I picked up Tobey from daycare and we grabbed some McDonald’s Happy Meal - Chicken Nuggets (how appropriate!) on the way to the nearby Light Rail station. It was a cold day in South Denver so we were happy to see our train come about 7-8 minutes after we bought my ticket. (Tobey’s still free) The train was packed with people trying to get downtown and other Nuggets fans. Tobey and I grabbed seats facing each other. Tobey played with a train and quietly on his Gameboy to pass the time while I looked out the windows of the train as it hurled towards the Pepsi Center.
We arrived at the Pepsi Center about an hour before the game. Tobey was starving as I had made him wait on his dinner since the light rail had posted signs saying no food. If it hadn’t been so crowded I was going to let him eat discreetly, but that wasn’t to be. I knew we had another issue facing us as we entered the Pepsi Center, but I convinced the bag checker that detected the Happy Meal that Tobey didn’t really eat anything they offered for food at the Pepsi Center yet. He took pity and we entered the stadium and headed towards our seats. I grabbed a huge hot dog on the way in so Tobey and I could eat at the same time. He was a little disconcerted as to why I didn’t put ketchup on my hot dog, but I told him that mustard was all I needed.
After we snarfed our food, we headed back out to the main concourse to stretch our legs. Tobey had to play with the Excel Energy display on the way down the stairs, just as he has every time we’ve been to the Pepsi Center in the past. We went to the main Nuggets store and I decided Tobey needed a Nuggets ballcap. Tobey decided that he really needed a Nuggets mini-hoop. He made a very sad face when I started to say that we really didn’t need it. One of the Pepsi Center employees picked up on this and declared that “I wasn’t any fun” in a teasing manner. Between the two of them, they convinced me. (Note: I’m actually glad we got it as it has rekindled Tobey’s joy of “dunking” that he had when he was much younger and we’ve had a lot of fun playing with it, where he enjoys “dunking on Papa”. He even tried a reverse slam the other day on his own realization. He may already have more coordination than I ever had when it comes to hoops! 
We got back to our seats about 10 minutes before tip-off, so got all the basics out of the way. Tobey likes to discuss what colors the Nuggets are wearing and what colors the “bad guys” are wearing. We then discussed the clock that was counting the seconds towards tip-off and looked on the court for our favorite players. We were both sad to see that Marcus Camby, our favorite player was not dressed to play.
Finally, game-time! The Nuggets played great team basketball and jumped out to a 31-22 lead over the visiting New Orleans Hornets. Tobey lost interest in the game itself fairly quickly, but he seems to really enjoy the atmosphere of the arena and the crowd. Of course, the Cracker Jack’s we shared could have been part of it too!
The Nuggets gave a few points of their lead back in the 2nd quarter, but I was happy to see that they were still in control as we headed out at halftime to begin the journey home. As much as I dislike leaving events before they are over, especially a Nuggets game, I will gladly do it every time Tobey goes as its still way too late for him to stay for a full game, especially on a weekday. The train ride home was much less crowded, and we entertained ourselves by driving matchbox cars on the window sills and seeing if they would hang on.
Tobey was pleasantly tired by the time we got home, and quickly drifted off to sleep after a quick kiss and story from Mama. I turned back to the game on TV and was sad to see the Nuggets squander a late lead, allow the Hornets take it to overtime, and then throw away what should have been a fairly easy home win in that extra session. Ah well. Make no mistake though, the first of hopefully many “Boys Night Out” was a blast.
February 14th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours! Enjoyed your e-mail and reading your blog. Very nice!
Thanks very much!
Love,
Gram
February 15th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
What an great description of your night out with your son! Your choice of words were so good I felt like I had traveled with you from the start to finish. Your pictures on Flickr were an added bonus!
Thanks for sharing your special night with all of us.
Love,
Proud Mom
February 19th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Oh how cute my two boys look! Im a little jealous that you went to a nuggets game. Glad to see you had fun! Love you.