Go Grizz!

Sunday, October 13, started out like any other Sunday -- we probably had pancakes for breakfast -- except that Michael got this idea that we should go to a Grizzlies game.  We have been to one since we moved here, back in January 2012, before Paul was born.  Paul is at the age now where we thought he would enjoy a game, but all the games start after his bedtime.  Except on this particular day, when the preseason game versus the Israeli team Maccabi Haifa started at 5 p.m.  Because of all of this, we were able to get awesome seats for a decent price.  Paul watches basketball videos with Dad all the time and he LOVES his hoop.  This kid can already shoot pretty well.  (Maybe it's time to raise it up...)

We spent the day excited for our night plans.  We couldn't wait to get Paul to the game to see how he would react to seeing an actual game in person.  I had made Paul one bow tie at this point (probably going to have a post dedicated to recent crafts soon) and I quickly made another he could wear to the game (multiple shades of blue is the best way to go here).  Soon enough it was time to head downtown to the FedEx Forum!

Even though it was only preseason, all of the big Memphis guys got some playing time -- Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Mike Miller , Zach Randolph and Nick Calathes (who is a fellow Gator/was there at the same time as us).  Before the game, not only was the US national anthem sung, but also the Israeli national anthem.  It was really beautiful and we enjoyed hearing it. 

Oh yeah -- the Grizzlies won, by a lot.  But I don't remember the score...

Paul loved the balls outside the arena.  "Soccer! Ball!"

He wouldn't look away from the balls to smile at the camera.

In our seats and already checking out the team.

Pointing to his lovely new bow tie.

The Grizzlies are in white, the Maccabi in green.

A few times he got upset because they were not passing the ball to him.

Paul kept an eye out for the mascot as he walked around -- on the court and off.

We made sure to leave a few minutes early so we could let Paul explore a bit.  He quickly found TVs plating football and soccer games.  He was set!

Such a happy guy!

Thankful for kind strangers who will take awesome family shots for us!

The only photographic evidence of Paul's wild night on Beale Street.

OK, there's one more.  What do you think he's trying to tell me?