Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Basketball Night

Last week we had a family night. After work we ate out at a fancy fast food restaurant. We then went to the local high school gymnasium to cheer on the boys basketball team. Number One Son had his play practice at the high school too, so he missed the first half of the game. Sweet Pea missed most of the game too even though she was present for entire game.

As soon as we sat down in the bleachers, Sweet Pea said she was hungry. Mind you, we just came from eating supper. She would have to wait for her popcorn. Well, then she was tired, and then hot and then thirsty and then hungry again. And then she was, "Soooo bored with this." Then the game started.

"Here's a dollar. Go get some popcorn.", I said. And then hastily added, "And bring back the change."

She came back with her popcorn, eating it as she walked. She kept spilling it on her way up the clumsy bleachers but it didn't stop her from feeding herself on the way. She sat down and I asked, "Where's my change?"

"I don't know.", she shrugged. And then ate a handful of popcorn.

"Well, how much was popcorn?", I pressed.

"I don't know." Another shrug, another handful.

I now had a decision to make. Do I go to the concession stand and ask for the price of popcorn, and then ask if they knew of a little girl who got ripped off a few minutes ago? I decided I was too lazy to do that. We found out later that popcorn actually was $1. Now who got ripped off? I can remember when high school basketball game popcorn was ten cents. We usually had to ride in covered wagons, battling dinosaurs on the way to the game in our day, but the popcorn was at least affordable.

Number One Son arrived at half time from his play practice. He was thirsty too so we sent him to the concession stand with a couple dollars to get two bottles of water for him and his sister. He came back later with nothing and said, "I didn't have enough money for two bottles."

"What!" I could feel an increasing ache in my wallet area. We told him to go back and get one to share then. He then came back with a bottle of Gatorade. He said that Gatorade and water were both $1.75 so he got Gatorade.

I can't fault his logic but since when did water cost as much as Gatorade?

I wanted the game to be a teaching opportunity for the kids to learn more about the game of basketball. We mostly had a lesson in economics and inflation. And the kids learned how cheap their dad is.

Well, we stayed until the end of the game and unfortunately our team came up a little short. It was a close exciting game so I believe we got our money's worth.

At least that is what I'm telling myself.

9 comments:

SciFi Dad said...

you forgot that the route to the game was uphill - both ways - and was always snow-covered... and you were in socks

delightful-d said...

I saw some drinking fountains on our way out of the gym. Next time I'll bring the Dixie cups.
Franky Frugel :)

The Father of Five said...

Or better yet... Either pre filled water bottles (filled from the tap, or the filtered 'fridge dispenser) - or even empty water bottles - filled from the drinking fountian.

Then the $1 for the popcorn wont seem TOO bad...

That's how we do it at the movies.. With seven attending, I am sure you can only imagine the 2nd mortgage I have to take out for a night at the movies..

(looking over my shoulders before speaking) Shhh... Dont tell anyone - but I bring my own "treats" and then we buy a (refillable) MONSTER soda (to share)...

Yeah, the soda costs more than my "commuter car" uses in gas for a week.. but hey... I save the cost of the car in treats.

samokdaddy said...

If I'm going to something like a game or movie, I stuff ziploc bags of gummi stuff in my jacket or pockets. When we go to see the Twins at the dome, I think it's best to buy bags of peanuts at the grocery store before making the trip.

With a 2 year old and a four year old, we haven't had too many opportunities lately to go to many events. I'm sure my "cheap gene" will kick into high gear when we take the whole family to stuff...I'll be even cheaper than I am now.

Hey, as far as that meme goes...I'll be getting to it this weekend.

Unknown said...

Hah. Try living in the UK, where your popcorn will cost you no less than £2.50 - that's about $4.50. And we've never even heard of refillable drinks.

Darren said...

I thought that the dollar popcorn was a bargain. Then again, I was once the guy who priced the concessions.

Marla said...

Popcorn for ten cents! Not anymore! :0

"Then the game started." Ahhhhhhh! That's not good. Maybe your daughter could start carrying a big ol' purse with lots of goodies and sodas in it! ;)

Anonymous said...

Because some silly people will pay $1.75 for water, thats why.

ALF said...

When we have to pay $10 (EACH) to watch JV soccer, I just try to think of it as, the money is going to the school so it's a good cause.

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I'm a 40 year old dad of two. My wonderful wife, Lady Di, and I try to keep the kids from blowing things up here in central Minnesota.