Friday, I picked up the boys after school shopping with Freddy and my mom in Birch Run. We ran up to the high school because Freddy had to be dropped off for the first football game that evening in Charlotte. Then Walker, Joey and I all stayed to help with the team dinner. It's kind of funny, but I really am learning all kinds of new things about a sport I've known my entire life. I never had a football playing brother, so I guess I just missed many of the things that go along with having a football player. It's a very interesting learning experience. I'm also learning all about the St. Johns community and school traditions. We've lived in St. Johns for over 5 years and you miss out on a whole portion of the community activities and traditions without kids. I knew that all along, but I guess it's just more fun than I thought it would be.
Let me give you an example. For the team dinner we worked quickly to get the food all ready for the boys and coaches. At the appointed time the team all filed in very seriously and silently. I was very surprised at how quiet they were and then I was quickly informed to be extra quiet as well. The captain gave the marching orders to the rest of the team as to how they would proceed through the line (seniors first, of course) and said a really heartfelt prayer. Then the boys came single file through the line quiet and polite, each saying thank you as they got their food. We gave them more water and they finished up eating. Then another surprise! I was quickly told that each player gives each of the Moms a hug after eating. I stood with a huge smile, told each boy good luck and received about 40 hugs. I loved it!
On we went to the football game. It was fun. St. Johns killed Charlotte 54-21. Freddy even got to play! He went in on defense in the 4th quarter. He got tripped up his first play in and then came out to talk to the coach. Then he went back in for the next play, where he was actually close to getting a tackle. But instead of a tackle, he got a 15 yard personal penalty! He followed the offensive player right out of bounds and apparently the referee thought he pushed the opposing player once out of bounds. We don't tend to agree, but oh well, at least he got to get in the game.
Saturday morning we were up bright and early so that we could head up north and go offroading! The boys were bright eyed and excited through the whole 2 1/2 hour drive. We got to the trails about 11:30, unloaded and headed out. We had so much fun. The jeep was a lot to handle with the big tires, so Mike drove it pretty much the whole time and I drove the buggy with rotating passengers. I had a lot of fun ripping around the corners and up and down the hills of sand. I must say we all looked pretty sweet in our skull bandannas too! I think people were jealous.
The next morning I made pancakes and the boys packed up the truck. We all ate and then we decided to drive to Lake Michigan near Ludington to hit the beach. Mike found this fantastic little beach where the boys found a geocache. Then we swam in the frigid lake for a few hours and had a picnic lunch before heading home. Freddy had football practice that we had to hurry back for or else I think we all would have liked to stay on the beach a few hours longer.
It was a wonderful weekend with the boys, we really enjoyed our time with them. And for the record... Joey and Walker won the cow game, despite my best efforts to sabotage them.
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