If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Here in Auburn, Alabama, "they" breed little Auburn fans from birth. It doesn't matter if your parents graduated from LSU, Ole Miss, UGA, or, Heaven-forbid, Alabama. (BTW, Roll Tide). No one respects your alma mater unless it's A-U-B-U-R-N!



Now somehow my older two children, AAA and L'il Man, managed to withstand the pressure and they are Georgia fans tried and true. But alas, we have a rebel in the family. And I don't mean an Ole Miss Rebel. I'm pretty sure that by now you know who I mean.



Kit Kat bleeds orange and blue. She LOVES Auburn with every fiber of her being. Either that or she just loves to torment her family. Or she loves being a rebel. Take your pick.



Each year at the Kindergarten, they celebrate with Tailgate Day. The word "celebrate" doesn't seem to give enough emphasis to this affair. It is an over-the-top, mucho anticipated, all -out blue and orange EXTRAVAGANZA.



Let me make just a small list of who all is in attendance:


Aubie!


The AHS cheerleaders (yes...they get out of school for the day to attend Tailgate Day at the Kindergarten. And yes, KitKat came home saying, "I want to be a cheerleader!")


THE Auburn University cheerleaders!

The girls who twirl the flags and batons on the field during half time (I'm sure they have a name)


football players!


The Auburn University Band!


This year, even the man whose voice you hear on the radio - the announcer man - was there! Yes, him. Rob somebody (for real!). If you are an AU fan, you know who I'm talking about!

Here. Take a look. See for yourselves:

(everyone smile and say "War Eagle")

(Subliminal message: If you are an Auburn fan, you'll be able to do back flips and back handsprings)

(Below: Dancing to songs like "Eye of the Tiger")

(One paw print wasn't enough!)

They paint the kids faces with tiger paws and cute AU's. They cheer and dance and spell Auburn as loud as they can. They have contests to see who can yell "Auburn" louder. They teach them the fight song.

These kids don't stand a chance. They WILL be Auburn fans.

I'm not saying that being an Auburn fan is a bad thing. Unless your mom graduated from Alabama and your dad graduated from Georgia.

Well War Eagle, anyway.

I'm just sayin'...