school spirit

A couple of days ago, the little boys and I were driving and passed Mesquite High School.  There was a huge Wildcat painted on a wall we passed, which got Aidan going.  With excitement.  So I explained that every school has its own mascot.  This fascinated his 5-year-old animal/character/team-loving mind.  So he asked what my school's was. 

A toro. 

What's that? 

A big bull. 

(I chuckled knowing what the next question would be.)

What about Dad's school?

A jackrabbit.

Aidan was incredulous (mouth literally gaping).  As in, he thought I was kidding because how could the coolest person in the whole world, perhaps whole galaxy, have possibly gone to a school represented by such wimpy nonsense. 

But then I kindly saved Dad's rep by reminding Aidan of Sparky, the ASU (dad's true blue school) mascot.  Sparky trumps all in his world. 

And it's not just Sparky.  ASU owns a decent chunk all three of my men's hearts, big and little alike.  Each morning when Jim heads to work, the boys kiss him, high five, then end with an enthusiastic "Go Devils!"  Seriously. Every. Morning.

So this Valentine's day, Jim and I decided to take a gamble on delighting the little boys.  We hopped on the light rail in Mesa.  And headed to Tempe.

They thought it was a simple joy ride, and were excited when we passed the ASU football stadium, getting off in front of A Mountain. Excitement turned to positively overwrought as we hiked up the path that led them to the glorious "A".Where they climbed.

And slid.

Then climbed some more.

I had to snap this picture to show the enormity of some of the stair steps up the mountain in comparison to Davyn's little legs.  The boy was a trooper and would accept no assistance as we worked our way to the top. My expression is a bit on the freaky side in this picture, but behind us is the ASU stadium, and I had to include one of me to mark the day..despite.

My 3 Valentines.  You can't get much luckier.

I discovered something about my two littles at the top:  they have no fear.  Their scampering around the rocks made me psychotically nervous.  But Jim was at ease, so I worked hard to keep my insides calm{ish}. 

We walked down Mill Avenue after the "A" highlight (you seriously should have heard them go on & on about the "hike"). {This jackrabbit monument made me laugh after the conversation earlier this week, so I had to snap a picture here.}

Then we headed home, beat.

I realize they're still young (and I've yet to delve into my own subtler version of BYU love), but I will be shocked if my two don'tgo to ASU. 

But we'll definitely be coming back to campus with them before that.

Comments

[Lucy]

Your winter weather does look awfully nice. My Seth knows most of the mascots to different schools. we got them the Wii game NCAA football 09 and you can play games mascot against mascot. I'd hate to see what you happen to your jackrabbits because...well...they don't sound very tough:) But they are quick.

When we lived in Spokane, the high school mascot was Anglo Saxon. I found that to be hilarious. Go Whitey! I mean...I guess at one time, they could have been fierce.

I'm getting so excited to meet you for real!

[Neighbor Jane Payne]

Oh ho! I loved this post. I couldn't believe it when Calvin told me about his jackrabbit mascot, either. How fierce is a jackrabbit? But, like Jim, he is a red-blooded ASU fan. I quite love fall and spring evenings where he sits here at the computer with his earphones on listening to the games....and watching the marker on the screen move according to the play.

What a great idea to take them on that hike. Truly, brilliant of you guys. And what wonderful, wonderful pictures and expressions.

[Katie A.]

That sounds like a great Valentine's Day outing! Those steps do look enormous--high five to all of you for getting there and having the energy to play around afterwards! The jackrabbit picture made me laugh, as did Aidan's reaction to a jackrabbit mascot. Too cute. Dominic is at the age now where sports and teams (mascots, colors, everything) are all-consuming. I never thought about taking them on a hike to the M in Bozeman...I don't know if I would make it!

[Tiffany]

Light rail in Mesa. Now that blows my mind (not quite to the level of something like a subway...)--it seems so big city to me.

Aside from that--what a fun outing! The pictures of the desert hike took me back. I spent many, many Saturday mornings going on various hikes in the desert. Perfect for your boys!

[Loretta]

I love the shorts in February! I remember those days. It was snowing on Saturday here in Logan. I am soooo ready for spring to get here. What a great way to spend Valentines day.

[Jill]

What a fun and ambitious outing. The jackrabbit thing cracks me up. There's a high school in Sandy with Beatdiggers for a mascot...for real!

[Elizabeth]

We need some mascot pride over here. Ours was the Seasiders. I loved your Grandparents love story

[Leilani]

OK - my high school mascot was a Foothiller - whatever that is??? (He looked a bit like a mountain man w/ a coon skin cap - our school was in the foothills above a valley, but still, what a lame mascot!) We have stressed people pleaser Rachel out at our house with our mixed marriage - 1/2 BYU, 1/2 ASU - She has asked if she can go to both schools (so as not to offend either of us). What a fun family activity!

[Alex Cichon]

I love that picture of your boys sitting on that huge step looking down the mountain. They look so adorable!

[michelle]

That was hilarious! I loved the image of Aidan being aghast at the wimpy jackrabbit mascot. I was at American Fork Junior High last week and their mascot is the Caveman. I am not even kidding.

[Brady]

Oh how fun and what great pictures! ASU rocks, I graduated a little over 2 years ago and I seriously miss the place! funny how that works, you hate it when you're there, you miss it when you're gone!

[jenny c.]

I have hiked the Y but never the A such a shame. I love all of those photos you documented, especially those large steps. Maybe I should rethink taking my littles I am not sure Weston could climb those things!

[Marie]

Wow. So much fun. I am much more nervous watching Carter do these things than he ever is. Just part of motherhood I think.

I loved your pictures, as always!

[April]

I loved the hero-worship in this post.
And your pictures were as lovely as always...my favorite was the bike racks...so "boy."
(David's mascot was the "Chemics"...ya, there's nothing quite as intimidating as a chemist. Ha!)

[Annalisa]

I think you just guaranteed that your boys will be going to ASU :). How have you been? I've been thinking about you lately. Your boys are getting so big.

[Shanon]

Oh the Scotts and their school spirit! I am pretty sure that all kids that have the last name Scott will be required to go to ASU. You guys are fun to take them and do all that. Love the pictures. You really have a good eye for things.