Parenting: First trip to a Flyers game

April 7, 2011 (WPVI) -- This past Christmas, I got my husband four tickets to an afternoon Flyers game. I bought him and Luke Flyers jerseys and figured the two of them could go with another father and son. Greg told me, he would rather bring Emma and me.

Score!

So, this past Sunday, I made a picnic lunch and we all headed to the Wells Fargo Center. We left our house 90 minutes before the 12:30 start (I wanted to avoid traffic since the Phillies were playing at 1:30). With two little ones in the car, I made sure I had plenty of snacks for the drive.

We enjoyed a modified tailgate party: picnic lunch and chocolate milk boxes in the car with the windows down. We enjoyed the music from the car tailgating next to us. The guy there kept yelling about how much he loved his pineapple juice (I have a feeling he wasn't just drinking juice!)

Once at our seats, I helped Luke count along with the countdown clock. He, along with Greg, was so excited for the game to start that he was literally sitting on the edge of his seat. At one point, Luke actually fell onto the backs of the seats in front of him. Fortunately, the people sitting in those seats thought it was funny.

My spirits were dampened when, with about one minute to go before the START of the game, Emma announced: "Mommy, I don't like this." At that point, I tried to point out some interesting things around the stadium: the big screen that showed a few babies in the audience (Emma loves babies), the ice girls in their pretty dresses, the different colored lights, etc. I kept her interest for the first five minutes of the game. After that, we got up to walk around.

To enjoy a sporting event with a five and a three-year-old, it is necessary to divide and conquer. Greg sat with Luke and explained the game (although, he told Luke the players were "wrestling" each time a fight broke out on the ice). I walked around with Emma and looked at things to buy. A purchase of a pink Flyers hat and two soft pretzels kept her happy through the second period.

Finally, with one period to go, Emma declared she wanted to go play with her stuffed animal in the car.

Since it was such a nice day, as much as Luke enjoyed the game, he decided he wanted to go home and bike. We listened to the game on the radio on the way home (Rangers won in a shoot-out) and we avoided the post-game traffic jam. On the way home, Emma fell asleep and Luke declared that he wanted to be a football player AND a hockey player when he grows up.

Greg admitted, he would have liked to have stayed for the entire game, especially since the tickets were his Christmas present. But, with a three-year-old and a five-year-old in tow, you have to be flexible.

It was a great, family bonding experience. This morning, we all played field hockey in the basement and Luke asked for season Flyers tickets next Christmas.

Happy parenting! Cecily

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