Cotton Bowl Watching Party

Well the Aggies took on OU at the Cotton Bowl last night.  Even though it was in the metroplex at Cowboys Stadium, Jerry Jones jacked up ticket prices to the point that the only more expensive bowl game is the national championship ticket. 

Standing room only tickets were $200.  Top row/ Top deck were $300+.  What student can afford that?  Heck, even alumni probably had to take out a loan to take their families to the game. A lot of people I know were willing to pay the RIDICULOUS prices, but a lot of people I know refused to give JerryWorld a dime...

.... and had Cotton Bowl Watch Parties instead.

The kids and I went to Robyn's house to enjoy the game.  Jason worked late. There were probably 8 - 10 kids and 8 - 10 adults there.  And everyone was pulling for the Aggies.

I don't care which team you're rootin' for... if you go to a party where everyone is cheering for the same team, it's SO much fun!!! Nobody's "awww"ing while someone else is "woo-hoo"ing.  Alcohol doesn't flare tempers.  No one has to make an effort to be a good sport or endure heckling.  It's best when the party isn't divided.

Now for the pics...


Robyn's boys had these creepy  maroon masks. :/

This is Jack and Asher. 
Jack is on the left.  Asher is Robyn's 5 yr old son who goes to PreK at our school.  He has been a sweet friend to Caroline this year....despite the fact that he looks like a serial killer here.

 

One of the dads there looked so familiar to me, but his wife wasn't there so I couldn't place him.  Then his daughter walked into the kitchen, and I figured out who he is. 

This is his daughter, Ryen. 
Sarah and Ryen were in preschool together.  She came to Sarah's Alice in Wonderland Tea Party.  Sarah went to her 5th birthday party too.  Then Ryen went to kindergarten in Frisco, and Sarah started in Plano.  The girls hadn't seen each other since then.  Crazy meeting up with her again at Robyn's party.

The kids played upstairs while the parents watched the game. But during commercials, we'd DVR the game, take Just Dance breaks, and play the Wii. :)  Parents vs Parents.  Kids vs Kids.  It was hilarious!

We had a great time and didn't get home until 11:30.  Poor Caroline was wiped out!! But when she woke up this morning, she asked if we could go back today.  I'm glad they had fun too.

 

Scottish Rite / A & M players with Jack

Monday Jack and I got to go to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital to see the Aggies since they're in town for the Cotton Bowl.   Apparently it's tradition for the hospital to invite the Cotton Bowl teams (if one is from Texas) to visit with the kids the week before the game.

I was most excited -- heck, EVERYONE was most excited-- about meeting Johnny Manziel and getting his autograph.  Unfortunately Johnny, the other 3 captains, and Coach Sumlin visited with patients who were hospitalized and couldn't come to the event as opposed to those of us who just came for the afternoon.

Very disappointing for us but makes sense.  Jack said that if you have to be stuck in the hospital to get to see Johnny Manziel then he's glad we didn't get to meet him.  Good outlook!

But we did see the Heisman Trophy.

I was afraid if Jack stood, he wouldn't be in the pic.  So I picked him up, very awkwardly.  This is sort of the "I'll pick you up as if you weigh 25 pounds and can sit on my hip.  Oh wait... you're heavy.  And Jack is thinking 'Agh! You're gonna drop me!'" pose.  But whatever. ;)

When the players came out, they passed out hats and beanies.  Jack got an A&M beanie.  Which he wore the entire time.  Tag and all.

We brought a real football for the players to sign but quickly realized that a black sharpie didn't show up very well.  Thankfully the hospital had these white balls.

I wasn't very good at getting Jack's pic with the players while holding his gift bag full of stuff, my purse, the bag we brought with things for Johnny to sign.. (which we didn't end up needing)... so these pics are few and lacking in quality.  I know.

Notice Jack in the foreground.  I told you he wore the beanie, tag and all. :)

A professional photographer... I'm guessing for the magazine the hospital puts out or maybe their website??... took Jack's pic with a group of about 5 players.  It turns out Jack's maroon and gray matched the players' warmups perfectly.  So if I see that pic somewhere, I'll post it.  He had a terrified smile on his face, but it's a cool pic.

Jack was great about asking the players for their autographs.  He ended up with between 15 - 20.  To be honest, they all start to look alike after a while, and it's hard to know who's signed the ball and who hasn't. 

I'm sure we didn't meet anyone who's gonna go on to do great things in professional football, but we did meet a lot of guys who knelt down to talk to Jack and shook his hand.  We met a lot of guys who-- truth be told-- probably felt a little out of their element and is if they were doing court-mandated community service, but you'd never know it.  They were friendly, had huge smiles on their faces, and would have a conversation with you. 

I know they made an impact on Jack because when we left he said, "Ya know, Mom, I think I've changed my mind on what I want to be when I grow up.  I either want to be an author, a teacher, or... an athlete."

A shocking idea from my computer-loving braniac.

"You can be whatever you want to be, buddy.  I think an athlete would be great."

"A mini golf athlete. I bet they have the most fun." 

Now THAT sounds like Jack. :)