The Eternal Optimist

We were lucky enough to be given tickets to the NC State/Clemson game (a real slaughter) on Saturday. We had heard that the weather might be warm, but my sweet husband (the eternal optimist) thought that it would be a stellar family activity. So we all piled into the trusty minivan and headed over to the stadium.
Not being too experienced in these events, we forgot to bring cash for parking and assumed we'd be able to park somewhere nearby. (Rich assumed) The only free parking place was at least 2 miles from the stadium, so by the time that we arrived at the game, the kids were none too happy, complaining from the back seat every 30 seconds, "Daddy can't find the football game!!" Rich was carrying Miles in the baby Bjorn, Aydan on his back, and I was schlepping Regan. The entire time we're all moaning about the heat and the hike (it was 91 degrees, typical NC humidity, etc.). Rich was just grinning and loving it, cheering us all on to be happy for this great opportunity for family bonding and memory making. We slid into our seats in the student section, sat down, and took a huge breath of relief. At this moment, we begin pulling out snacks we packed for the kids in our Cinderella lunchbox (with sparkles), everyone is standing around us so we can't see the game at all, and realize that the sun is directly above us beating us with 200 degree rays of blinding heat.

At this point, I think Rich finally woke up to the reality of the situation - we were in way over our heads here. Highlights of the next 3 hours (with Rich clinging to our glorious family outing, i.e. Clark Griswald) :

• arms aching from holding everyone up to see the game
• drunken students
• heat (!!!)
• Rich waiting in line for 25 minutes to get cash at the ATM
  
• nursing Miles in the ticket booth in front of the first aid station - complete with cigar smoking old man just outside the only open window
  
• being heckled by apparent non-lovers of juice boxes
• questionable restroom facilities
• NC State losing miserably
• The best tasting $3 ice-cold drinks ever
  

We're excited and optimistic about our next few family outings, that Rich has already begun planning - hiking the Swiss Alps, walking across the Kalahari, and deep-sea diving with the sharks.

Some people.....