Feeding Twelve Hungry Varsity Football Boys

It's the day of the big game against the Jal Panthers and this morning I told my son to invite some of his friends over for a pregame meal. I knew the boys wouldn't go for the usual organic healthy food I usually prepare, so I made what any proper West Texas mom would make, fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls...I did whip up a salad and some steamed broccoli just in case there were a few health conscience boys in the mix.

After the pep rally, I asked my son how many of his friends were coming over and he said he hadn't gotten around to ask, so I figured maybe the usual 4 or 5 would be coming. I got home and started preparing the meal when a group of 4 came strolling in the door. I smiled asked them if they wanted a soda and continued cooking. Then another group of 4 came in the door. Okay, that's fine I can handle it. Then there was a knock at the front door, and 4 more boys came in. (YIKES!) So, there were a total of twelve hungry boys!

They dual linked the XBOX 360s, had 6 boys in my bedroom, with another 6 in the living room all playing HALO. There was a lot of hooting and hollering back and forth between the rooms, but I didn't mind, it was nice to hear them all having a good time. I busied myself in the kitchen frying up the chicken strips, boiling potatoes and whipping up gravy. A first batch was done and I called out the dinner bell. Within minutes the plate of strips were gone, I told them not to worry more was on it's way.

Annie, my daughter, was also in on the fun and commented that having them all there was better than watching television. I had 12 boys all calling me mom and saying thank you for letting them all come over. 64 chicken strips, 24 potatoes, 24 dinner rolls, a large pot of white gravy and 3 12 packs of soda...devoured in less than 30 minutes! They all had to be up at the stadium for 5:30, and within 5 minutes the house was clear and quiet once again.