I'm a Tarheel

Josh and I are both convinced that we have given our kids equal opportunity to be sports fans in general, and Tarheel fans in particular.  I would not say we are rabid, but we are Carolina fans and we have enjoyed serving the Carolina kool-aid to our kiddos.  We have watched basketball games on television with them both, we have taken them both to some of the more low-key sporting events (women's soccer, men's baseball), and we took them both to one Tarheel football game.  They both have been gifted with Carolina hoodies and t-shirts and hats.   Ella has shown some interest in the Tarheels but not any great enthusiasm.  Dash, on the other hand, is becoming obessed, no OBSESSED, with being a Tarheel.

Some Tarheel vignettes...

Dash loves to play in the backyard and pretend he is a Tarheel.  There is a lot of confusion between the various balls (soccer, football, baseball, and basketball) and the various goals.  But one thing remains constant:  he asks us to yell loudly "GO TARHEEL!" whenever he makes any kind of 'score.'  If I am inside cooking in the kitchen, I am required to yell this periodically out the window.

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At Family Shabbat at Dash's school last week, the Rabbi came to talk to the children and he invited a few of them to come up to the front to help him with a demonstration.  Dash went fearlessly to the front of the room, filled with probably 60 children, teachers, and parents, and when the Rabbi asked him his name, he said "Dash!"  The Rabbi then said "Well, are you named Dash because you run very fast?"  And Dash said with complete and total sincerity, "Yes!  I run fast because I am a Tarheel!"

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At dinner one evening, Dash announced that his Tarheel name is Richard.  So whenever he plays Tarheel sports, we have to call him Richard.  He also gave his grandpa a Tarheel name (LeMartin).  These names are no joking matter.  When a ball is in hand, the Tarheel names rule.

Richard and LeMartin playing Tarheel football (in Duke Gardens, no less)

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Dash's latest question (to anyone and everyone) is "When I go to college in a few weeks, will you come see me play in my Tarheel games?"  He seems convinced that soon he will go off to be a Tarheel where he will play in real Tarheel football games, and importantly, will be given a real Tarheel football helmet.  I keep suggesting other Tarheel sports (Swimming!  Soccer!  Debating!) that have less potential for head injuries but so far, he's pretty set on getting that football helmet.  In a few weeks.

Small and adorable Tarheel