My kids have been so spoiled! When I was a kid, Boston sports teams weren't all that great. The Celtics won a championship in 1984 but I was eight and don't really remember it. I remember the Red Sox and Patriots losing championships in 1986 when I was 10 and then the Bruins losing two in '88 and '90. Of course, we always watched because we thought "this is the year." It just never was. But then finally, in 2002 (the 2001 season), the Patriots won the Super Bowl and the spoiling began. Boston sports won championships in 2004 (two), 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2015, and....2017!! Calleigh has already "seen" six championships in her nine years. Not too shabby.
At about 7:45 on Sunday evening, there were many who didn't think the one this year would happen. It was Super Bowl LI (51 for those not familiar with Roman numerals). The Patriots versus the Atlanta Falcons. Everyone in America (and outside it) was rooting for the Falcons if they weren't Patriots fans. And who could blame them? I wouldn't be rooting for them either.
As usual, we were at home for the big game. I like being in my own domain, in control of the TV. Only Patriots fan are allowed in although some try nonetheless! For various reasons, only Ron and Elaine were able to be here. We were a small, but hearty group! I decided to change it up and order in pizza this year rather than worrying about food.
![]() |
| Sporting their tattoos |
![]() |
| Taking a snooze during the pre-game show. That's his jersey next to him. I didn't want him to put it on until game time so it wouldn't get all dirty. |
![]() |
| Megan was sick and couldn't join us but she sent a picture of Sushi all decked out. |
Things went down hill as soon as it got to the second quarter. Blount fumbled the ball and the floodgates were opened. By the time it was halftime, it was 21-3 Falcons and Duncan appeared ready to turn off the TV. Ron and Elaine decided to head home and watch the rest of the game there and I hopped into the shower. Before I went in, I told Duncan, "I have a strange sense of peace about all this...like it's going to be okay."
![]() |
| My text exchange with Aunt Toni. The top looks strange because I had to redact a prior conversation! |
But, pretty soon it was 28-3 and even I was feeling a little leery. I decided I needed a break which took the form of me taking the boys up to bed much to Brady's consternation. When I got back, things started to pick up a little and before long, we had a real game going and our hearts were beating a hundred miles an hour. The Pats got the touchdown to bring it within two but then the most stressful part of the game came...they needed the two point conversion to tie it. No easy feat since they're successful only like 50% of the time and they'd already converted one earlier. I was pacing, pacing in front of the TV. And then...SUCCESS. TIE BALL GAME!!!! Unbelievable. Never count out Tom Brady. EVER!! Somehow you just knew the game was ours after that. The Pats won the coin toss, drove it down to the Falcons two and then James White, aka Ellen's husband, ran it in for the winning score. Euphoria. The girls were screaming and we were all jumping up and down. What a game!! We did feel bad that our Brady was sound asleep but I guess that happens sometimes when you're five. And hey, considering the ten championships since 2002, there'll be another one soon!
![]() |
| Watching the postgame coverage...Aubree finally fell asleep. |
Sports are a small thing in the big scheme of life. But they can teach us important lessons. In the middle of the third quarter when they were losing 28-3, the odds of the Patriots losing the game were something like a minuscule 0.05%. Basically zero. And yet, somehow, they kept playing hard and won. Never, never give up.
![]() |
| The moment many of us were waiting to see. Roger Goodell handing the MVP trophy to Brady on Monday morning. AWKWARD!! |
We enjoyed soaking in the victory all week. Calleigh wore her jersey every day including to PE on Wednesday and Ninja class on Thursday night. And we had these conversations:
Calleigh: "We should really get another jersey for Brady so that we can all have different players. Maybe Bennett?"
Me:"Well, here's the thing. Some of the players are going to be free agents now and it's possible they may not back to the Patriots for next season."
Brady:"What?!" **sits on the steps of the stairs and starts crying genuine tears at the thought of some of the players leaving the team.
Colby is looking at my neck and notices little moles or whatever growing there...
Colby:"What are these things?"
Me:"Oh just little things that adults sometimes get."
Colby:"Does Tom Brady have them?"
![]() |
| Calleigh in the front of the far group in her jersey at PE. |
![]() |
| Still wearing it Friday while out and about. |
I guess other things must have happened this week but it's hard to remember them. I'll just show some pictures.
![]() |
| Aubree didn't follow the directions on here during church but I liked her version better. I really liked her first "e" which says "eat anything besides meat." |
![]() |
| Had a nice Sabbath lunch with Aunt Lori, Uncle Charlie, the Conrads, and Ron and Elaine. The northerners all left on Sunday morning because they had specifically booked their tickets for the morning in case the Patriots made it to the Super Bowl. They wanted to be home to watch it. |
![]() |
| Duncan took the kids to Adventurers on Sabbath afternoon. I love my little blondies. |
![]() |
| Monday evening we went to the church to get our family picture taken for the church directory. The photographer also took pictures of each of the kids which I thought didn't come out that great. But, it was fun watching the kids pose for them. |
![]() |
| One night this week, Duncan went up to check on the kids and found the girls both sound asleep with the boys. He did end up moving them to their own beds. |
![]() |
| Aubree was even in Colby's crib. |
![]() |
| Working on their spelling with a little help from Dasher. |
![]() |
| So sweet and innocent. |
![]() |
| But then this is what happens when you leave them downstairs at midnight for a few minutes because Colby starts crying in his crib. That's a charger that they chewed in case you can't tell. |
![]() |
| This is what happens to my arm in the span of 60 seconds after they rub against it. I really need to look into solutions for this! |
![]() |
| Church today. |
Have a great weekend.
