We ended 2014 with a early morning trip to Chapel Hill so the "big" boys could attend the annual holiday kids clinic. Owen was a bit under age....or maybe two full years too young...but, a few "connections" helped him get checked in for the morning clinic.
We often forget how we viewed Carolina basketball when we were their ages. Actually, I will never forget but after going to school there and marry someone who wears a Final Four ring on a daily basis the shock and awe is different than it once was. We realize our children are "privileged" and unfortunately will never know what its like to stare at the Heels in amazement only on the TV dreaming of the day they might, just maybe, get lucky enough to catch a glimpse of them or even better possibly watch them in person. I once saw JR Reid in the mall and it made my entire life at the time.
Our boys have been to games from birth and to them walking onto the court is just something they get to do with Eric....as if they are just playing in the back yard. Games are expected and at this point they complain that our seats don't have arm rests. Never mind that we actually have seats which is a privilege that many dream about.
It's impressive kids and you don't even get it!
On this day, it was fun to see them actually "get it" a little more. To see them interact with the players, laugh and smile with them and high-five them when their shots went in the basket. It was fun for Mommy and Daddy to watch as well. Worth the early wake up call...after Daddy and the big boys had just returned from CH at 11:00 pm the night before from going to the game and sitting in the seats with arm rest. Not sure if it was fun for Sawyer - the five servings of cheerios seemed good enough for him and at the end he got to hold a ball. Yeah, it was probably good for him.
I'll let the pictures tell the story for the rest of the morning...
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| Front and center - the little guy is #40 and Payton is to his right in grey |
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| The Heels and our favorite staff member second over from the far left |
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| Little but looking' good! |
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| Owen went 4 of 4 on lay up and jump shots |
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| Payton, swish! |
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| ...and a high five from Jackson |
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| ....and those little smiles tell it all! |
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| In the practice gym learning from JP and Joel |
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| Interview session with Marcus Paige where the questions ranged from his middle name (Taylor - which would have been his name if he had been a girl), last name (while obvious to most...Paige), favorite NBA player (Chris Paul), NBA team he wants to play for (he would play for any NBA team) and if he had a girl friend....and probably the best, "Do you like to play basketball?" Good news...he loves basketball! |
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| Joel signing Owen's calendar |
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| Payton with Kennedy |
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| Owen...who merged in line and cut off about 40 kids...getting Marcus' autograph |
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| Owen...who says Roy was saying "Hey"....with Roy Willaims |
Thanks Coach Williams and the entire Carolina Basketball team (who I realize will likely never see this) for giving your time to a bunch of kids who think you are all super stars....even those of you who may never play....you were a Carolina blue uniform and that's all that matters. Right now, my boys are convinced that they too will wear Carolina blue one day and they are most excited that they will be able to play on a team together at UNC. They don't even know its a "dream," at this point it's just real like to them (which I can relate to because I was once certain I would marry Jeff Lebo). Thanks for making some of their dreams seem like a possibility. Thanks for laughing and smiling and high-fiving and giving them positive guidance! I bet most of you probably had other places you would have rather spent your morning but, I promise, to this momma and her little "we bleed blue" boys, you made their day! And, thank you Eric for the assist with the final autograph at the end! You will forever be their favorite Tar Heel of all!
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