A Ruby Day at Bama

Ruby could not have been more excited for this day.   She made sure she had her brand new Alabama shirt and laid out her red Alabama bow.   Having two brothers at the University has definitely converted her over to the Roll Tide section of the state, already planning her college to be in Tuscaloosa.   We woke up and had some leftover Chick-Fil-A from the night before for breakfast.   

Once in Tuscaloosa, we parked in the free deck just off campus, and then took a $1 trolley (perhaps better said as a bus, but the sign said trolley) ride to the stadium.  There we went into the "Champions Field" to play some "spin this wheel, get some junk" games.   And she waited with me while I played one of those reaction speed games where I was proud to catch 4 of the dropping batons.   Afterwards, the publix booth let us pick a prize.   I picked an Alabama bucket hat, and Ruby picked a see thru bag that we could take into the game.   The bag had a small piece out of place, and as I tried to fix it, I completely broke it.   Then the publix people let us just get another one.   I then opened the zipper and broke that.   Oh well, the zipper was at least manageable, so we made it work, and it was nice to have a bag for the rest of the day.   

We continued our fun Bama day getting some pictures with the old coach statues, then watching the team arrive in the busses for the game, and getting a quick picture with Nacho Alabama.   On our way to the student center, we saw Big Al dancing on a golf cart as it passed by.   And since we had Chick-FilA the night before, and for breakfast, we decided to eat it again for lunch.   In the store, we found the best gift that we laughed at for the rest of the day...the little #1 Finger.    One of my treasured memories was sitting with Ruby in the Student center when she saw Davis across the way.   She jumped up and ran to her big brother that picked her up and swung her all around.   I love to watch both of those big brothers with their little sisters.   

We tried to catch the Elephant Stomp with Davis and Rowan now in our group, but it was not happening in front of the library.   So we made our way in through the secret worker gate, and made our way up to the student section...with a quick stop so Both Davis and Ruby could get a picture with Nacho Alabama.   Then more big hugs as Sam and Noel came up the stairs to our seats in the student section...I will not try to decide who got a bigger hug.   

The game was a cupcake match against Eastern Illinois, so it was fun, and nice weather and light crowds so we could spread out and enjoy the day as much as the game.   Rowan for some reason tore up his pom pom.   All of the kids went to some area where they could make there own football card pictures.   And then Ruby saw Big Al and wanted her picture with him.   I did not think we could get down there in time, but Sam and Noel told her sure, and off they went.   And our sweet happy girl got even happier when she got a picture of Big Al in his "6, 7" shorts.   Ruby also laughed at me during halftime when she told me "It's an elephant" while the band was on the field.   I looked out there and saw big Al, and said, "Yes, I see him out there, right at the edge".    She giggled and said "No, look at the shape of the band", and haha, the whole band was marching in the shape of a giant field sized elephant.   After a Pretzel and coke snack, and a game clearly over by halftime, we left our seats to head to dinner right at the beginning of the 4th quarter.   One last surprise was a guy handing out free hot dogs near the concession stand, and he made sure little Ru had one.   

We all had dinner together to end Ruby's special day in Bama, and even tho the chicken kabobs spilt tomato juice on her pretty new shirt, I don't think this girl's day dropped at all.   The ride home was long with lots of traffic.   And my little Ruby was quickly asleep after a long fun day.   But in her sleep, I looked over to see her still with a little smile after her day at Bama.