A few weeks ago, our house was football central. My husband’s 49ers were up against my beloved Saints for a championship game. A Super Bowl lead up.

Now, let me back up and say that football is rarely, if ever, on in our house. Mainly because we spend Sunday’s at the in-laws. Also, we’re fair weather fans. Oh, my husband would tell you different. That I’m the fair weather fan. He’s right; I am. But still!

That said, for this championship game, we were pumped. Either way, there would be celebrating. I was hootin’ and hollerin’ most of the way. Then at the end, we looked like that whack-a-mole game. I’d pop off the couch and cheer only to plop down defeated. Then he’d jump up, fist in the air only to wither back to the couch. Each 30 seconds or so of the last 2 minutes we were crazed, jumping up or falling down.

Our kids wondered who we were and what we had done with their parents.

Raucous. Screaming. Clapping. “Get em, get em, get em!”

The 2 year old picked up the rant, too, only she did it consistently for both teams. Such a big heart, that girl.

Anyway, all this to say that after, when the game was off by hours, we were once again awash in screams. Only these were tear filled, tantrum screams. And it hit me – all of our excitement deposited itself inside my children, only to come oozing out of their eyes and mouths.

I looked over at my husband, deflated, and said, “We kinda did this, didn’t we?”

Good thing he took that the right way and together we realized that our two sponges had indeed soaked up the craziness of the day. And the only way they could release it was to cry. And cry they did.

It got me to thinking about tears and how to best deal with them – which I’ll cover later. But. Coming up is another big football day. The Super Bowl! So beware!

If you’re planning on watching it with the kids, do know that they will gorge on more than just the visual eye candy of the commercials and the boys in those tight pants! Whatever loud fun you’ll have in your house, you’ll have to figure out a way to wring your little child-sponges dry by the end of the day. For your own sanity.

Care.com has a great list of things to do with the kids pre-game and during the game. Like making flags or pom poms to wave around. They’ll be the cheering section; might as well give them props.

And after,  if you have a yard, re-create some of the game. Give them a football and chase them round and round. Or, if you’re too tired, have the doggie chase them! (kidding!) Just find a way to work them out. Exercise will be your best friend come night time

Oh, and last but not least…what yumminess are you cooking up? I love 7-layer dip, personally. This year, I think I might try these pigs in a blanket. What is your favorite junk-food for the big game?

photo credit: iamjohntmeyer

Shocked to see a football reference on a Mommy blog? Well, hell has frozen over, you see, and the SAINTS ARE IN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!

In case you need to identify a Saints fan this coming Sunday, here are some tips (stolen from a great article in the Times Picayune):

1. Beer. We love our beer and in case you’re planning a Super Bowl party I have one piece of advice. More beer. New Orleans folks are beer drinkers and have just discovered that beer tastes even better when you’re winning! Or losing. So, you see, you’ll need more beer. Lots.

2. It’s Mardi Gras time in New Orleans so even if you’re not in New Orleans this Sunday you might get pelted with some beads. Don’t take offense. It’s just our way of saying “hi!” Best to play along.

3. Ear protection. Saints fans are loud. REALLY LOUD. By our very nature we’re loud because, well, we’re drunk. So imagine how loud we’ll be when we’re winning (see #1).

4. Hugs and tears. You might get a big ole bear hug…because, well, you see, we’re a winning team and we’re (most likely, I hope) going to win the Super Bowl and remember what I said about winning? It all leads to beer. So, get ready for the hugs. And then the tears. Tears if we win, tears if we lose. It’s all the same.

Just a short primer on this Sunday and a key to understanding your Saints fan friends from a native New Orleans girl who was there when we were the “Aints” and there when we got a shot at the big time. (Though, to be honest I’ve been a fair weather fan in between). Not now! Now I’m part of the WHO DAT NATION!!!!!

Ok, enough football – time to change a diaper.