Travellin’ Boys
December 4, 2008
Full contact football practice inside the gym. Holy cow they hit each other hard.
And you know how I know this? Because not long after this photo was taken I got a helmet in the sternum when two players came flying at me.
It hurt so much that it took my breath away. It still hurts today when I move, or breathe, or poke unnecessarily at my chest. All the football players took a knee while I sat there and willed myself to not cry.
Honestly, I am thankful that they hit my chest and not my face. I have paid too much for these teeth over the years to have them all knocked out. My son thinks I am tough now. I hate to break it to him that I gave birth to him and his freakishly large head through MY VAGINA, that was tough. This? This was nothin’.
*****
Tonight was our last practice before Florida. Tomorrow night we bring the boys’ packed bags to the field for inspection to make sure no one forgets things like their cleats or helmets. Or underwear, though they are boys so really no one expects them to actually CHANGE their underwear. Then at 4am we travel to the airport.
Just what every early morning traveler hopes for… a plane filled with children and adolescent football players.
*****
As of this morning my son weighs one pound UNDER the weight limit. There was much rejoicing. The mother of one of his friends bought my son and her son lightweight flipflops. You know the kind that you get when you have a pedicure? Those feather weight almost paper-like disposable flip-flops? It won’t at all be obvious which kids are close to the weight limit. The pediicure shoes, lightweight short-shorts, and cropped jerseys won’t give it away AT ALL. What? It is a new fashion trend! I have already told my son that he is not to wear underwear to weigh-in. Why risk those few ounces? He looked at me like I am crazy. Which, I am.
*****
I am still trying to pack for everyone. I know I am making this unnecessarily difficult for myself, what with all my lists. And yet, I can’t help myself. We have three largish suitcases, one carry-on, a laptop, six backpacks, a carseat, and a partridge in a pear tree.
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Good luck!! Let us know how things go!
December 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pmChris, kudos to you for actually using the word vagina in a post.
When the theatre piece “The Vagina Chronicles” came to our town some years ago women flocked to the show, but many could not say the title out loud. We have to get over that.
Love your blog. Best of luck in Florida.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:23 pmA football helmet to the sternum? Holy crap that sounds painful.
May you have safe travels.
December 4th, 2008 at 11:45 pmThank you so much for writing about all this. It sounds crazy since I’ve never met you or your kids but, boy, am I cheering that team on! I hope they all have a great trip.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:16 amgood luck! have fun……
December 5th, 2008 at 12:18 amI know from all your writings that you do appreciate and savor the time with your kids right now, but it does go by so fast. Today I was clearing out a cupboard and realized I no longer need the storage containers for the cereal, ritz bits, and goldfish crackers - no one lives here who eats that stuff anymore. They are away at college. I can throw out the spare container for syrup as I will never need to buy the supersize from Costco ever again. I am sad…
December 5th, 2008 at 12:39 amHave a great trip!
December 5th, 2008 at 1:15 amGood luck to all and thanks for the blog…it makes me laugh/cry/empathize/sympathize etc….makes my day!
December 5th, 2008 at 1:43 amBest wishes for a safe trip and a great game for your son’s team!
December 5th, 2008 at 2:39 amSafe travels! Take lots of fun pics of warm sunny FL!
December 5th, 2008 at 6:06 amPlease tell me your dh is coming and that you don’t have to do this trip by yourself.
I wish you all a great trip and good luck! I hope the boys have a fantastic time. And I just hope for the parents to return with their sanity more or less intact.
P.S. What does “take a knee” mean?
December 5th, 2008 at 6:12 amYouch! But I can’t help imagining how horrified all the boys would have been if you DID cry.
Congrats, and good luck!
December 5th, 2008 at 6:19 amOw. Once again, I think I’m very happy to only have girls. Football’s scary. And painful
December 5th, 2008 at 7:33 amOUCH! I hope you feel better soon. Good luck to the boys in FL. They sure have worked hard for this (as have their parents!)
December 5th, 2008 at 7:42 amWhatever you do, don’t forget the partridge in a pear tree!!!
December 5th, 2008 at 8:27 amStill keeping you in my thoughts for an easy weigh-in and drama-less trip!
December 5th, 2008 at 9:14 am“P.S. What does “take a knee” mean?” what she said.
Chris says: When someone gets hurt during a game all the boys are required to take a knee (kneel on one knee) while the person is tended to. Then when the person gets up and walks off the field (hopefully!) they clap. It is just to be respectful and show good sportsmanship.
December 5th, 2008 at 9:21 amOne time my two youngest were having a full on brawl and I stupidly got in the way of a toy they were hurling at each other. It hit me in the sternum and I thought I might die on the spot. Ouch. (It only hurts that way for about 5 days, then you will feel human again!). Best wishes for your trip.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:17 amHave a great trip!! I hope they pull out a win.
December 5th, 2008 at 10:33 amWhoo Hooo! Off to FL, be sure to post some great pics! Have fun. :o)
December 5th, 2008 at 11:09 amGood luck and thank God, I won’t be anywhere near that airplane.
Have fun!!!
December 5th, 2008 at 11:14 amI think he should choose…lightweight short shorts OR no underwear. Not both. Definitely. Not. Both.
Have a great trip.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:52 amWow, the way you write the excitement and anticipation is palpable. Have a wonderful memorable trip.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:45 pmYay, glad you are packing the holiday decorations to go!
When my oldest played ice hockey, instead of clapping after taking a knee, they’d bang their sticks on the ice (or the boards if they weren’t on the ice). Still brings a tear to my eye.
December 5th, 2008 at 12:56 pm“A knee” indeed. A fitting tribute to an innocent bystander. Take care of that bruise, and those boys…will NEVER mess with you.
Congrats all around for making weight, getting the money together, and persevering with football in the cold. May your unexpected holiday trip be fun for all. Just ditch the partridge, TSA does NOT like live animals.
Best of luck on the tournament and to your fellow passengers on tomorrow’s flight.
December 5th, 2008 at 1:00 pmGood luck in Florida!
December 5th, 2008 at 1:23 pmI am so proud of you all. I hope you were the good luck “take a knee” and everyone comes home safe and uninjured.
P.S. When they measured my son’s head in the ultrasound right before his birth, the sonographer started laughing.
December 5th, 2008 at 4:32 pmWishing you the best of luck! Be sure to have your boy go to the bathroom before weigh in as well - its amazing what an empty bladder can take off the scales! Keep us posted!
December 5th, 2008 at 4:51 pmDid I miss it? What did your kids do/say when they found out they were all going to Florida? Sorry you got hurt–my son broke his sternum in a car accident this summer and it hurt for a long time.
December 5th, 2008 at 8:24 pmYou all so deserve this trip to Florida. Actually, after the football games are over and done with, ship the kids back home and enjoy a few days on a private beach with gorgeous hunks serving you Maitais whenever you snap your fingers! Have fun!
December 5th, 2008 at 9:47 pmYikes, glad you are ok! I break out in hives at the thought of needing to pack for myself, God bless you in packing for your entire crew! I hope you have a blast in Florida! I lived in Jacksonville for a while, Florida is beautiful. I hope you will post lots of pics?
December 6th, 2008 at 8:46 am