Sneaky Mom, Me!

I've never really been a big pro-sports fan. In fact, in years gone by, I actually was quite scornful of the ridiculous idolatry that this nation perpetuates regarding our sports figures. But recently, I've been re-thinking this stance slightly. Only very slightly, and only as it pertains in particular to one sports team.

I have become an Eagles fan. Not a cutesie, hat-wearing, jersey and jeans kind of fan. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Rather, I've become a "Look what Eagles Football is doing for my family!" kind of fan. Let me explain.

When we moved to the greater Philly suburbs, my oldest two boys weren't (yet) huge sports fans as far as watching any one sport religiously or following one particular team or player with gusto. But this area is fanatical about Eagles Football: our local elementary schools sponsor Eagles Spirit Days, it's mentioned regularly from the pulpit and flags fly all over the neighborhood. It's like its own religion; not in a bad way, but with great fervor and excitement. I observed this closely the first year we were here and just "kinda" got into it for the sake of cuddling on the couch with The Boss for a good Sunday nap while he watched the game. The kids would come in and out, depending on the weather. As the season wore on, the Eagles became a huge topic of conversation among the "guys" of the Gang. I hosted a Super Bowl parties, complete with football and helmet cookies. No big surprise there, some of you have been to my Super Bowl parties. Fun, but not the driving force of our fall and winter entertainment.

Cut to last season, our third fall in Eagles' territory. I began preparing special "game day" lunches, and re-arranging the couches for optimal viewing. And turning off the phone (not that anyone around here wastes time on the phone on game day!) and inviting friends to join the fun, and getting the boys to STAY HOME and invite their friends to pig out and scream and yell along with The Gang. And I noticed that all 6 of us began looking forward to Sunday afternoons and evenings in a whole new way. And The Boss and I started planning fun meals and cooking together while we all cheered and yelled. We all hung out. TOGETHER. All. Day. My mental wheels were turning then! I found a key to prolong family togetherness, have fun, build memories and create connections. I even fly a gorgeous green and silver flag during parts of the season, especially when they make it to the play offs. And I get to be the cool mom - AFTER the pool closes :)

So now, I'm a rabid, all-out, crazy, screamin' yellin' cheerin' Eagles fan! And I'm loving every minute of it. I know more about the game than my boys give me credit for and I don't ask stupid questions any more. I know players, positions, strengths and weaknesses. And I even find spiritual lessons in things that happen or things commentators say. And The Boss and I look across the crowded, noisy room and smile. Yes, we are Eagles fans. And yes, I've snuck one more meaningful, memory building time in on those kids of mine. Sneaky Mom? You betcha!

My question for you today is this: what do you do to build memorable family times in your home? Maybe you could come up with something new, maybe even "out of your box" for the sake of the greater purpose of making connections and memories together?!