In this difficult economic time being a family of five is extremely costly. I want my children to have fond, whimsical memories of their summer days, but I can?t afford to take them on the Costal vacations that so many of their classmates are enjoying this Summer. So, we are left to make due with our fair city and the surrounding 2hr drive radius. Recently though we were able to find a glorious activity right in our own backyard, a Chicago Sky game at the UIC Pavilion. We were running late as usual so both my husband and I had to drive. I was really worried about paying exhorbatant parking fees, but we easily found free street parking southwest of the site. After jogging the 3 1/2 blocks to the Pavilion we got our tickets at the will call window in very short order. We passed through the gate and entered an arena bustling with energy and excitement. Unlike the few times we have attend games at the United Center, US Cellular Field or Wrigley Field the energy of this pavilion was not all-consuming. As a parent of three school age children I was thankful for the set up being so open and visible. I didn?t feel as though I had to have a body part sewn to each of my children as we made our way to our seats. We were high up, but on the main level. Although from the floor every seat looked to me to be very good and visible.
The Fly Kids sponsored by McDonald’s were out in full force revving up the already enthusiastic crowd. During game breaks they and the announcer conducted competitions with fans from the stands, or performed crazy stunts with jump ropes and trampolines. The team?s mascot Sky Guy was particularly adept at jumping rope while bouncing on his back! All throughout the game the Fly Kids threw balls and t-shirts into the hungry stands. Speaking of hungry, as if on cue my children complained of hunger as soon as we sat down in our seats. It doesn?t matter where we go, or how much I feed them before we travel somewhere, as soon as we arrive they are hungry. It?s totally Pavlovian. Anyway, here?s where I as a mother on a limited budget always get nervous, the snack bar. Because, let me tell you, my children can eat. I was so relieved to find that the concessions were plentiful and had a varied menu. I was absolutely impressed with their $5 chicken nugget plate. It was so full of nuggets that my bottomless pit stomached children didn?t even finish them all! An absolute first. There was memorabilia to be purchased of course, (t-shirts, balls, hats, foam fingers etc…), but Office Max was also on hand with poster boards and markers that fans could use to make signs for free! My daughters took their sweet time crafting their masterpieces which they continue to display proudly in their rooms. The one thing we didn?t get at the game that we really wanted was a t-shirt that says, ?I?m With Sky Guy!?. (Which would be fitting in our household since Skyguy has been one of my son Skyler?s nicknames since he was a baby.) We were provided tickets to this event for free through One2onenetwork and the WNBA, but there are great deals on tickets available out there for everyone. Checkout http://tr.im/uOz5 for opportunities. One2onenetwork was also gracious enough to set me up with a press pass so that I could talk to Sylvia Fowles after the game, as well as her coach Steven Keys. You can see both of those interviews on my youtube channel missloridottv. All of this was very exciting, but so was the basketball. The players were very strong and skilled, and the game was competitive and engaging. Both my son and husband were especially riveted by the court action. It was a great example for all of my children about the often underreported athletic talent that women posses.
So, when the Summer of 2009 goes down in our family?s memory book, an evening under the Chicago sky watching the Chicago SKY will definitely be listed as a highlight. Even if it wasn?t during a vacation on the Coastline.
?
?
SMILE On!
ML
Miss Lori can be found Musing from her Minivan at MissLori.TV and ChiacgoMomsBlog. you can also see her Activating to Be Great at Miss Lori’s CAMPUS on Youtube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
?
About misslori
