Is This Normal?
The chaos that is the KerbersArchive for football
Ahhhh…
Today was seriously one of the laziest, most relaxing days we’ve had in a very long time, and I enjoyed it very much. Since we set the clocks back an hour last night, the kids were of course up super early, but we all laid around in bed watching cartoons for about 45 minutes before technically starting our day by getting up and ready for church.
After church, we came home and did very little the rest of the day. Both of the kids had a lot of fun working in their new Halloween coloring books from Aunt Theresa, and Ben worked especially hard on some sticker puzzles she gave him. Emma had a three-hour nap, which was desperately needed, and Daddy got a short nap in for himself, too. I enjoyed watching the Bears game without interruption for once. It was great, and they even looked good and won! We had a couple of battles over wanting more candy, but Ben didn’t beg for it too much, so I was happy with that.
It was one of those days where Dave and I look at each other, smile and say, “This is the good stuff, Honey.” The kids were in good moods and had fun playing with each other. The crying was at an all-time low, I think. Ok, sure, Emma did fall off the back of the couch downstairs, got a big lump on her head and cried really hard for a few minutes, but hey, no day is completely perfect, right? Overall, there wasn’t a ton of chaos in the house, and we all spent some really enjoyable time just chillin’ out together.
Homecoming ‘09
It’s Homecoming week at NCHS this week, which means a lot of fun for the students and a lot of headaches for the teachers. This year’s theme is “It’s A Jungle in Here” and this morning when we gt to school the atrium was decorated really cute. The student council had worked hard on their day off of school to get the building looking festive for the week.
They even taped green film over the lights to give the entire atrium an eery greenish glow. For a minute, when I walked in and saw all this, it made me smile and think, “This will be fun.” But it took me about five more minutes inside the building to retract that thought. Even though it’s only a four day week this year, the kids will just be totally nuts, and all of us adults in the building feel like we’re just babysitting. Every night has an activity happening, and the kids will get crazier each day closer to the weekend. To top it all off, the weather is supposed to be crappy all week, so there is very little chance of us going to either the parade or the game on Friday, which stinks. I swear, Homecoming seems to get less and less fun every year! Does this mean I’m getting old???
Illini Saturday the sequel
For our birthdays in August, 
Theresa got us tickets to the Illinois vs. Michigan St. game, which was today. It was Homecoming in Champaign, which is always a fun day, and Dave and I were really looking forward to going to the game. But since we had been to the game last week, and saw how badly the Illini looked then, we had trepedations about our chances today. We had hope for an Illini victory, though, and looked forward to the game.
We were way too optimistic, I’m afraid. The Illini are awful. And really…using the word awful is being too kind to them. They didn’t do anything well today. Truly, the highlight of the game was when two fighter jets flew over the stadium during the pre-game show.
However, it was certainly not a wasted day. We got to see Ryan again, and he even went to dinner with us after the game at Papa Del’s, our very favorite place in Champaign. There is nothing better than enjoying a Pop’s pizza on a Saturday afternoon. There is just something about that pizza that is indescribable yumminess. I liken it to Mystic Pizza…one may never know what’s in it that makes it so good. But we do love it, and both Dave and I look forward to getting there at least once a fall. We were happy that we could take Ry with us to keep the torch for Pop’s burning on.
We’re still holding on to some hope for the Illini, but it’s very little. I can hardy remember a time when we were this bad at football. Honestly, I’m not sure that we’ll win another game this year. It’s a sad day in Chambana-ville. 
Happy birthday, Uncle Brad!
Man are you old! 
Just kidding, of course…48 isn’t that old. After all, we’re all right behind you in years! You’ve always been a good big brother to me, and the seven years between us seem to get smaller and smaller all the time. There are lots of times I wish that we could hang out more, but alas, four states always seem to get in the way.
Sure wish we could all tell you happy birthday in person, but it won’t be long until we see you again. I hope your day has been great, and that the Bears and Jags both win this weekend for you!!
Illini fun
Family, food, and football…what more could you want, right? Yesterday was a great day spent with all three. The Swartzies bought tickets to the Illini vs. Penn St. game in Champaign, and were looking forward to spending the day with Ryan there. Then, at the last minute, our neighbors offered their season tickets to us for that game, too, so we decided to join in the fun. We quickly threw together some tailgating plans the night before, and it was on.
They picked us up around 9:30 and we all piled in the van to head to Champaign. Their tickets came with one parking pass, so this was the best way to ensure we could all tailgate together. We pulled into the lot, and were very impressed with the location. We were right across from the football stadium in the Assembly Hall parking lot. It was awesome!
Ry gave his brothers, Nance and me a tour of the campus, 
and it was so fun walking around with him now that he knows his way around and has experiences on campus. He showed us where he has classes, and where the house he pledged (and de-pledged) was, and had so many little funny things to tell us. I loved it. After the tour was done, we headed back to the stadium and Dave started grilling. 
We grilled brats and pork chops and had all kinds of yummy snacks on the side. Since the weather wasn’t cooperating too much, we brought hot chocolate with us, as well, and that really hit the spot, too. Some of Ry’s friends came to our tailgate, and it was fun meeting them.
It was all such a good time…until the actual game started! The Illini are so pitiful this year that it’s almost painful to watch them. We suffered through the game, with the intermittent rain and all. It’s so sad to watch. The ironic thing was that the Swartzie’s tickets were just a couple of rows away from ours…a total coincidence, but pretty fun.
We had such fun hanging with them and with Ryan. Even though he’s been a U of I student for almost two months, it didn’t seem as real to me as it does now, after seeing his dorm room and watching him interact with his friends. now it’s sunk in…the next generation has arrived and I’ve officially passed the torch!
Friday fun is not what it used to be
It’s sad, but so true. Tonight there was a social event scheduled for the NCHS faculty. I was so excited when we planned it, because I knew the kids would be gone tonight and that meant I could stay out as late as I wanted to. There was once a time when I would have been the first person in the teacher section at the football game and the last one to leave the bar after the game. Instead, right now, I’m sitting on the couch trying to catch up with my blog and trolling around Facebook. It was just too cold and crappy outside and I am just too worn out from the week to go back out tonight. Dave and I had an early dinner and went shopping at Meijer, but were home by like 8:00.
Man, when did I get so old?
Go Iron!
Tonight was the first home game for the Normal Community HS Ironmen, so the whole family piled in the van and headed to Mommy’s school. Ben was relatively excited, although he was nervous that people he didn’t know would want to talk to him…heaven forbid. Emma, as usual, had no idea what was going on, but was generally happy to go bye-bye. She kept saying, “We go to the badketball game?” (And that’s not a typo…that’s really how she says basketball) I’d say, “No, Sweetie, it’s a football game.” We parked and started walking out to the field. Ems pointed to the stadium and said, “Dere’s the badketball!” So close.
The highlights of the evening included meeting up with Danielle and Gracie & Anna there, walking down near the cheerleaders to give the Iron Man (our mascot) a high five, and getting to play Nick’s drum while the band was still in the bleachers. Ben absolutely loves the Iron Man. His face lit up every time that silly costumed cheerleader would come into his view. Both kids got a little impatient as the game moved pretty slowly, and at times Emma was a real handful. Bleachers are just way too much temptation for her. The way she loves to climb + us being almost at the top=a lot of wrangling and distracting to keep her on one level. NCHS was up 28-0 by halftime, so we knew we’d leave as soon as the band was finished. I’m so glad we stayed, though, because both of the kids were completely enthralled with the band. Emma was clapping along and swaying, and Ben was marching and directing like crazy. They loved it, and I loved watching them.
After halftime it was definitely time for us to go, which made Ben very sad. We finally convinced him that the game was over and it was time for everyone to go. I’m pretty sure at some point I said, “Some people just leave slower than we do!” Pathetic, I know, but the poor kid was heartbroken that we were leaving.
We all had so much fun at the game…I can’t wait to go to another one!!
What a let down
Woo HOO…the beginning of the college football season started today with the annual Illinios/Mizzou Arch Rivalry game in St. Louis. In the past, the Illini have not had much luck in St. Louis, having lost the last 4 meetings there. But this year was supposed to be different. All of the analysts agreed that this would be Illinois’ year. Everyone talked about how great we’d be with Juice Williams finally coming into his own this season and using his experience to lead a talented team.
I’ll say it again. What a let down!
For goodness sakes, Illini…could you please just play decently on national TV? We fumbled, we dropped balls, we threw interceptions, we missed a point after attempt, and our star receiver got hurt on the very first series. I’m sadly almost ready to admit that Juice Williams is one of the most overrated quarterbacks in college football today. He wasn’t playing like someone with experience. He was playing more like someone who maybe would like to win a game or two…we’ll see how it goes. And Mizzou, who, by the way had a sophomore starting his very first college game at quarterback, looked awesome. Let me make this perfectly clear…they had a 19 year-old kid who had never played in a college game before leading their team, and we had a 23 year-old Senior with three years experience behind him leading ours. And they kicked our butts. Ugh. I really hate to say that it’s going to be a long year, but if this game was any indication, we’re in some pretty big trouble come Big Ten season. I love you, Illini football, so please stop breaking my heart!
Final score-Mizzou 37, Illinois 9
#6
Woo Hoo! The Steelers won the Super Bowl…the Steelers Won the S
uper Bowl! I know most people were for the Cardinals, but I don’t care…I’m a happy member of the Steeler Nation!
I’ve loved the Steelers for a very long time…really since their reign in the mid to late ’70’s. Why the Steelers? That’s a good question, and I’m not really sure what the answer is. But I do know that during a time when my beloved Bears were lucky to gain a first down, this team had a cast of colorful characters who refused to lose. I just loved them.
Even now, it makes me very happy that they won their record-breaking 6th NFL championship. It’s nice to be a fan for the winning team for once!
Super Sunday
Tonight, even as I type right now, the Super Bowl is being played. This year (Super Bowl XLIII, or 43) the contest is between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Arizona Cardinals. As much as I want to root for the underdog Cardinals, making their first appearance in the Big Game, I of course want my beloved Steelers to rack up another Championship. You just can’t have too many, ya know?
I love the hype of the Super Bowl. Everyone’s all excited about the game, the half-time show, and of course the commercials. But I have to admit that it would really be nice to be part of a group at a Super Bowl party. When I mentioned this to Dave last week, he said, “well, Honey we can invite whoever you want over if you want to have a party.” Of course I appreciated that thought, but really…there isn’t anyone that we’d want to invite. Even though I really feel like I finally have some close friends here in Blo-No, we don’t really have any couple friends. I’m not really sure why, and I’m even less sure how to get some. Neither Dave or I am real great in groups with people we don’t know very well, so honestly, I’m not sure we’ll ever have any good couple friends. It’s a little depressing.
But on to some lighter things. While we were eating dinner the game was just starting and we were trying to explain things about it to Ben. When I told him that the guys in black were the Pittsburgh Steelers he said, “but Mommy, what did they steal?” After Dave and I cracked up, we still didn’t really have an answer to that one. A little bit later, when we actually saw the Steelers taking the field, I said, “Oh, they’re wearing their whites…that’s too bad. I like the black shirts so much better.” Ben said, “I like the reds. Well, actually I like the blacks. I don’t want them to be the whites.” I cracked up at that, too…it sounded so much like some kind of rascist discussion, but it was really just a conversation full of innocence.
I know we’re only a little over halfway through the game, but I think the commercials have been very lackluster up to this point. Maybe my standards are too high, but I’ve only had a small chuckle or two…and they’re supposed to make me laugh out loud! It could possibly be the fact that we had two hyper toddlers running around for most of the first half, but I doubt it…I just think they’re worse than ususal. It’s certainly not me.
