As a friend of mine mentioned yesterday, I didn’t say anything about the Steelers, the Super Bowl, our big party or anything even remotely sports related in yesterday’s post. That’s because we were traveling back from Pittsburgh and the camera post was pre-set to publish. I could have published something on Friday congratulating the Steelers on their victory over the Cardinals but I would have jinxed the team. And I think we can all agree that one more jinx could have ruined it all. I’m glad I went with the safe post, aren’t you?
And so, two days out, what do I have to say about our Super Bowl experience back on The Farm?
It was fabulous! Some points.
1. My Texas Soup (viewed in my NewBaby.com video) was a hit with everyone, even my paternal grandmother who is the cook of all cooks. It fed all eleven adults at the party with a small amount of leftovers. I feel this point is a total win.
2. LittleBrother asked to go to sleep just as the game was getting underway. We did, however, get some pictures of both him and BigBrother in their brand new jerseys. This one, in particular, is a favorite. It’s not technically great but they were having such a blast playing the sit and stand game on Yia Yia’s steps. Anyway, LittleBrother went to sleep without issue and didn’t wake up until the next morning.
3. BigBrother asked to go to sleep around 7:15, his normal bedtime. I got him into his jammies, read him a book, said prayers and said goodnight without issue. Ten minutes later, after some yelling at the television by more than one person, there was screaming. I ran up to the room and asked him what was wrong. “It’s too noisy.” Well, I couldn’t argue with that one. He then told me that he wasn’t sleepy anymore. We put his jersey back on over his jammies and allowed him to come down for awhile. At this point, he walked around with his camera and took pictures of everyone at the party. He stayed up until 8:30, at which time he was laying on the floor just kind of staring at the television. Papau was able to put him down in bed without further issue. This picture is of BigBrother asleep in Papau and Yia Yia’s king sized bed. Note the jersey still over the jammies and Buzz Lightyear tucked under the covers as well.
4. Seriously though. The game was intense. I’m really surprised, as FireDad, my Dad (aforementioned Papau) and I were all in the family room directly under the room where BigBrother was sleeping, that we didn’t wake him up. Because in that last quarter? The yelling was frequent. And loud. And when Fitzgerald ran back for that go ahead touchdown, well, some tears were involved as well. Even my Great-Grandmother, the eternal optimist, declared in the upstairs living room (where my cousin’s 50 inch plasma was set up) that “we lost.” Phone calls after the game informed us that one uncle and one aunt gave up and left the room at that point. I won’t say that I wasn’t worried but I didn’t give up the hope. And we prevailed. FireDad and I were stoked. See? (Also my chosen shot for Project365 for February 1, 2009 over at Stop, Drop & Photograph.)
5. And one should always have a hot tub to celebrate in after such a victory! After cleaning up the party, kicking out those that didn’t need to witness my hairy legs and donning bathing suits, a few of us sat outside with snow on the ground, a celebratory drink in hand and enjoyed the steamy water. There are no pictures of this because my glasses were too fogged to see across the hot tub. (Also? Why did my parents get a hot tub, in the ground pool and a hundred other awesome things after I moved away? Hmm.)
Really, it was a great time. I was really proud of my children for not being overwhelmed by the extra people and all of the fuss. I was also really proud of my team for sticking it out to the very, very end and pulling off the win. I’d be in trouble if I didn’t give a shout out to George and “THE” Ohio State University for sending us Holmes. And, of course, Roethlisberger hails from the state of Ohio as well. I guess I can’t hate the state in which I live all that much.
But BigBrother is wearing his Steelers jersey to preschool today. Now none of those Bengals and Browns fans can make fun of him. (Until next season when the slate wipes clean again. Also, how many days until football season?) Anyway, all that said, TheBrothers and I are off to meet our friends at Denny’s for our free Grand Slam breakfast(s). What’s better than winning the Super Bowl? Free pancakes. Oh yeah.
[Also: I did notice that in this post and two of the three prior... I am wearing the same outfit. Go Steelers? It was washed twice. I swear. But only because I kept spilling stuff on it.]