A Twelve Year-Old Trip

*this is a catch-up post

One of my favorite things about being a parent is making up the rules.  Call it a God-complex (although, aren't we actually trying to become like God?  OK, debatable about whether he decides the rules or if the rules are the rules), but I enjoy the responsibility and reward of child development.   Most of the time.  Sometimes, it is actually awful.  But, I'm focusing on the positive!

After admiring a few different friends' traditions for milestone birthdays (one takes her twelve year-old to Disneyland for a one-on-one trip and another goes on a motorcycle odyssey with a custom itinerary and destination for the twelve year-old), Jay and I decided that rather than a gift, turning twelve was a great age to celebrate with an experience.  The offered gift could be an event at a reasonable location (location was added after the London Olympics were mentioned by Seth out loud).

We don't own a motorcycle and aren't superfans of Disneyland like some (I do like it.  Great family vacation.  I'm always surprised, however, by adults who love it all on their own) so decided to leave the final decision to the twelve year-old - veto power and parental discretion firmly in place.

Seth must have understood the value of the offer because he took a long, long time to decide what his birthday trip would be.  I think both of us assumed he would immediately choose a sporting event for a favorite team.  He sort of nodded whenever different ideas were suggested, as if agreeing that they would be fun, but never locked in his final answer.  I saw his vulnerability and thought I'd suggest a thing or two, including a New York trip with me including a Broadway show, but he just smiled.  Drat.

He eventually decided upon the BYU v. Notre Dame football game in North Bend.  I think visiting college campuses while in middle school is an excellent opportunity to expose the variety of possibility for higher education and was thrilled that he and Jay would be visiting such a historic and established university.  There was one brief week when I was almost the parent who got to take Seth when Jay's work schedule conflicted with the already purchased airline tickets but when left with the choice of having me accompany him instead, still leaving on the originally planned Thursday, or changing the itinerary and waiting until Friday (losing a whole day!) to go with Jay, Seth chose to wait.  It hurt but in a good way.   I'm a huge fan of father/son bonding.

They flew into Chicago and after a lot of one-way street turning and a few stops to see famous landmarks,  they got out of the big city and drove to Indiana.  There, they attended the BYU football player fireside, which they described as dangerously packed.  As in, there was no way this many people inside a stake center passed fire code.  There wasn't room in the chapel or overflow so they put people in the various auxiliary rooms to watch via closed circuit TV.  They said people were even standing in the hallways.  They managed to find a bit of floor in the primary room.

The next day, they visited the campus, seeing the most famous sites, and then left plenty early to enjoy all pre-game festivities.  Jay is definitely an enjoyer of all things pre-game and usually has less than willing accomplices (me), and Seth is a lot like Jay.  I'm sure he's learning all the proper neuroses about not being late.  They got sweatshirts and programs and made friends in the stand with Notre Dame fans (who they said were very nice and polite) and even though BYU didn't win, they still had a good time.

At the time of the game, Notre Dame was a good team and even ranked in the top 10 but not really considered a plausible contender for the BSC national championship.  It was fun to watch both Jay and Seth feel a little bit invested in Notre Dame's football team after their trip and continue to cheer for them throughout the remainder of their season, for Manti T'eo to get the Heisman and for them to win the National Championship game.  We even all had Notre Dame gear like real fans, thanks to their trip.

I'm bummed that I can't find any of the pictures of the actual game (they must be on Jay's phone.  These are the ones he emailed to me).  I know there were a couple more of campus as well.  Oh well, maybe I'll find them later. I think these are worth preserving.   Each picture includes Jay's sent captions.

It begins

On the plane

Second breakfast.  Buying him a cinnamon roll made me cool again.  (My response:  You were already uncool?  Jay's response:  Permanently) 

Excited about Direct TV on plane

Other things that make me cool: Dodge charger rental car.

Going for coolest Dad of the year! (clearly, Jay is a little concerned about being uncool)

Wrigley

Only seats left

Our view:  on the floor of the primary room

Welcome to Notre Dame

Touchdown Jesus

You would not love the seats (Jay has learned over the year that I do not enjoy benches or thigh touching strangers)

Straddling (My response:  I would be having strong emotions right now.  Good luck with your new intimate friend!"  

***********************I HAVE FOUND THE MOTHERLODE!************************

Got a hold of Jay's phone and found the FULL-SIZE non-compressed photos that will be much better for the memory book.  I don't have captions for these photos so I'll create my own:)

non blurry picture of cinnamon roll

 non blurry picture of Seth in cool Dodge Charger

 Seth "not cold" in front of Wrigley Field - Home of the Chicago Cubs

 Five Guys - Jane, Jay gets a burger without a bun and the fries are gluten-free because the oil is exclusively used for fries and not contaminated by breaded chicken things or onion rings.

 non blurry picture of welcome sign

 A dad considers a hat and sweatshirt a worthy investment to improve chances of fun day for a "not cold" underdressed for the weather kid.  Look at all those BYU fans!

 The Golden Dome

 Sacred Heart Basilica

 Tabernacle inside the Basilica.  Beautiful

 #1 Moses

 Seth is a little less into posing like #1 Moses

 OK, Dad, I'll put my finger up.

Touchdown Jesus with Seth (look, there are other posers in the background.) 

non blurry picture of Jay doing touchdown Jesus 

Some statue dedicated to a former coach 

 I can't remember the exact story of either of these but suffice it to say, Jay is a fan of bands, uniforms and marching or walking in time.  

 Like wise with these Scottish guys.

 Finally making their way to the stadium

 Seth is almost as tall as his dad!

At the game!