Rediscovering the world through a new set of eyes is one of the best things about being a parent, no doubt. It is very much so my favorite thing to take Mila or Alexis somewhere new for the first time and watch their reactions.
Mila is, of course, a treasure trove of new discoveries. Pretty much everything is new and shiny to her.
Pretty much everything is exciting, too.
A few weeks ago, Mila had the opportunity to attend her very first basketball game. Alexis was cheering at a high school game, so Mila and I piled into the stands to watch. The first moment of fantastic was the very second we walked in. Bright lights! BRIGHT LIGHTS! Mila flapped her arms as if she was going to fly up to the lights and admire their shininess up close.
By the way, her eyes are always big. Always. But when she purposely makes them bigger because she sees something amazing? All the awesome. ALL. OF. IT.
The next moment of fantastic came when the National Anthem started. If you've ever wondered what aliens would think if they were to show up just as we all stood staring at a flag and singing in unison, there it was. Her face told the story. It's one of confusion similar to what happens when a room full of people are in on a joke and you don't get it. Mila looked around the gym, as if searching for the video cameras that would prove it was all a prank. She was so very confused.
Then the game started. So much running! And jumping! Weeeeee! Mila stared intently at every second of the action. She tracked the players from one end of the court to the other and back again, over and over. She was totally and completely captivated.
It's possible I let out a happy sigh. My girls enjoying basketball is one of those things I hope for but try not to count on.
But then there were fouls. Mila took every foul very personally, the whistle that stopped the action causing her to spontaneously cry. She was sadder than Kanye's going to be when he finds out that prenup is iron clad.
What?
You know you're surprised it has lasted this long.
The best, though. The absolute best thing about Mila at a basketball game is her reaction to the voice of God. I mean, it wasn't really God, but it was a disjointed voice that boomed over the loud speakers from time-to-time. As the announcer declared that someone new would be entering the game, Mila would do the startled baby arm flap, her eyes would bulge out of her head, and she would look around desperate to figure out who was talking.
It was a kid at the scorekeeper's table, by the way. Just don't tell Mila.
Now that I think about it, that basketball game is about when Mila stopped sleeping independently. Perhaps her fear of the voice of God is what sent her over the edge ...
