Her first game

Last night we took Annabelle to her first Florida Basketball game. Devin's Daddy has some season tickets, so we try to go to a few games every season....

This year, I wanted to go to one of the first "small" games of the season so that we could take Annabelle and get her picture with Albert the Alligator. Since he walks around the crowd during the basketball games, he's pretty easy to get to... at least I thought...

It was an exhibition game against St. Leo, which happens to be the small private college that I graduated from! St. Leo worked out great for me and I'd recommend them to anyone, but I'm still a Gator fan! So no, I didn't wear green or cheer for the lions last night! Ha...

We parked and rode the shuttle to the O'Connell Center. This was Annabelle's first bus ride, and last night they were running the big RTS buses, but also a few Alachua county school buses. The school bus was our shuttle.

She was excited to be riding without being in a car seat! We wouldn't let her touch anything though... ewwww the germs.....I can't even think about it!

We got to our seats right at tip-off and AB was looking around trying to figure it all out. It's really loud in those seats and I was a little worried that it was going to scare her. When the gators made their first basket and everyone cheered she got a little scared, but after that she was fine.

She just tried to figure it all out and when the band would play something she'd dance and when anyone would clap, she would, too!

This is during a time-out. She was laid back taking it all in. Then, she saw Albert across the gym floor. She sat straight up, and started smiling and pointing at him! I was so excited that she saw him and that she wasn't scared. I just knew we'd get some great pictures....

Our plan was to watch the game until half time and then find Albert.

We didn't think it would be hard because he'd been around our side all night... then right before half time he went in the locker rooms. We walked around during the half and thought he'd come back out afterward. When the second half started, he was no where to be found. We decided we'd give him until 8:30, and then go if he hadn't come back. Right before 8:30, he had come out and was headed up the stairs to the main level! We jumped up and made our way to him...

Albert sat on the floor so that Annabelle could sit in his lap.

She wasn't sure about him. I think she thought he was a little more intimidating close up than he was across the gym floor! I guess those teeth ARE kind of scary!

DW picked her up after that, and she liked Albert much better when her Daddy was holding her. She pet him and waved goodbye...
And the reason we took her to the game.... DRUMROLL.....This is the best shot we got...

I was a little disappointed since it's not very good, but it does make me laugh---(poor baby, she looks SO scared, but like she's trying to be happy... she's so sweet), but at least we've got one! Maybe the next time we see Albert we'll get a better pic!

After that we headed home.

AB did so good at the game, like she does everywhere...

and while it will still be a long time before we take her to another one, a first is a first and any first is a big deal!

~amw~