I walked home in the company of four cheerleaders, an unhappy football player, and a four-year-old boy. Savannah's football team, The Mighty Mice, had lost yet another game. This would make them 0-3 for the season, so far.

"Don't be sad! Its not all bad!" The chanting came from Sarafina. "You burned off a lot of calories."

"Sarafina!" I shot her a look that said knock it off.

"Sorry, Mom. I'm just trying to cheer up Savannah."

"I know."

Long faces marched on, and I could tell that Savannah was going to sulk all evening.

"Mom, Look what I can do." Josh sprinted ahead, lay down on the sidewalk, and spun around on his back. His arms were swinging in all directions. "Are you looking? Are you looking?"

"Yeah, bug, I see you."

"Knock it off, Josh. You're acting like a retard!" Caiti yelled at her brother in her contagiously giggly voice. She was trying to keep from laughing.

"Oh, yeah! Well, your face looks like my butt!" He answered his big sister, as he got up off the sidewalk, and then quickly stuck out his tongue at her.

"Get him, girls!" Caiti screamed and her sisters, Lyssa, Abigail, and Sarafina, all ran with her after their little brother. Their laughter filled the streets.

Savannah, holding her football equipment, walked slowly next to me. Her eyes looked at her feet. She had begged me to let her play football this year, and I had given in.

"Wanna talk about it, bug?" I placed my arms around her shoulders, and felt them shrug. "Are you upset because you lost?" Her head motioned yes. "Is that the only reason you're upset?"

"Mom, those guys suck!"

"Which guys suck?"

"Those wimps on my team. They can't catch; they can't throw; they can't block. They're wimps!" She rolled her eyes at me as if I was the biggest idiot in the whole world.

"Wimps, huh?"

"Yes, and I can't believe I have to play on their team! I have to do everything on the field." Her voice rose in her frustration.

"Hmm, I see. Weren't these the same guys that gave you a chance to play when all the other teams voted no girls?"

"Yes." An exasperated tone escaped her lips.

"Weren't these the same guys that stuck by you when the other teams teased you for being a girl?"

"Yes" Her voice had that frustrated I-know quality to it.

"Do you think you are being fair to these boys who treat you like you're one of them?"

"Mom, they suck. I cannot change that. Mike screamed and ran away from the line when the center said something rude, Mom! How wimpy can you get?"

Savannah's eyes looked back at her shoes. I could tell she was beginning to feel a little guilty for her harsh assessment of her teammates.

"Maybe they just need some more practice."

"We already practice twice a week."

"Maybe you should invite them over to do homework, and then you could play a game or two in the backyard with your uncles."

"Do you think that would help?" Her voice was sounding better. Hope was injected into her tongue.

"You have to ask, but I am pretty sure I could get your uncles Paul, Jake and Tomas to show up."

"Could we have a no body slamming rule? Jake gave me a bruise last time."

"I am sure something can be worked out."

"Are you sure the whole team can come over?"

"A couple more kids in the house won't make a difference. Just make sure they tell their parents where they are. Is Monday too soon?"

"You're the best, Mom!" Her smile came back, and I laid a big hug on her.

Looking at my house, I saw my other children were all rolling on the front lawn. Caiti, Abigail, Sarafina and Lyssa had caught up to Josh, and were tickling him on the grass. Savannah dropped her gear in the cool lawn and jumped in.

What had I gotten myself into now? I guess I better go shopping for snacks. I had a feeling the football team was going to wipe out my pantry.