Are you ready for some football?!

Queen Roach has been busy. I had 2 meetings last week and I have 2 this week (in addition to all the regular stuff that I juggle). It’s funny to see that other people are just as surprised as I am at my new titles. I was at TRX class last week and a friend asked why I wasn’t going to lunch with everyone after. “I have an FRG meeting.” She got a puzzled look on her face and said, “Wha . . .? Huh? Who am I talking to? First SAC and now FRG? I’m not recognizing this person standing in front of me . . . ” Exactly. Good thing it’s not a permanent fixture in my life. I’ve got enough to handle managing all of my athletes’ schedules.

Calvin tried out and made the High School varsity basketball team last week. He’s so excited. This fall I wasn’t sure if he was going to make it because although he now has the height (he’s 5 9″ or 10″ and growing) he had the confidence of a much smaller player. He played short. He’s a great athlete, but he over thinks things, gets nervous and is afraid to make mistakes. (hmm, wonder where he gets that from?!)

I told him I wanted him to come home at the end of tryouts and be able to say with certainty, “I made it” or “I blew it” before the coach posted the list. Our mantra for those three days: go big or go home. No regrets. I said I’d rather have him miss 6 three-pointers in a row than not try for any at all. He was able to get out of his head and play like he loved the game. I’m so proud of him, but I’m already dreading the 5:30 am wake up tomorrow morning.

So Calvin has basketball and flag football right now (one evening a week and Saturday games). It’s a really fun league that is run by the base for kids ages 4 – 15. Carter and Calvin are on the same team so that’s even more fun. Both logistically and for cheering purposes. I love seeing them work together, encourage each other and talk strategy.

LOVE THIS.
Caleb is playing flag football and baseball. Yes, I caved on baseball. Go back to my January – May 2013 archives to read all about the weekly double headers. Against the same team. Caleb wanted to play so badly, saying it was his favorite sport (which I had a hard time believing when he asked if I would buy him a “baseball mitten.”), but since the practices and games are at school this year and not at a field 30 minutes away and because he and Carter could play together, I caved. I will have to remember the raw joy expressed by dancing and leaping throughout the house when I get annoyed by the endless innings later this year. 

His coach is giving the quarterback the play to call. I love this league because it’s made up of people we know from base and school (both on our team and all the opponents), it’s coed at all the age levels, everyone plays at the same field, bunches of our friends are there and we chat while we sit in the sunshine, and it’s all very Pleasantville. The coaches are competitive, but also teaching the kids how to play and giving everyone a chance to try different positions. I don’t think we even keep score (officially. The kids keep score, of course.)

Caleb’s first try at quarterback

hike!

looking for an open man

going long . . .

Carter, the lucky kid, is playing 3 sports right now. He’s got flag football and baseball and he joined the Middle School soccer team this month. They’ve had 2 games so far, 1 win and 1 loss. I think they’ll have a good season.

Carter at QB
going for the touchdown

He did score, but I’m not sure if it was on this play. Carter and Calvin have the same football coaches as Caleb, so all 3 boys are having a great football experience. They all got to try QB and wide receiver, nose tackle and some other positions I don’t remember the names of. 

While some of you are having snow, we are having a heat wave. It had to have been almost 90 yesterday. Ugh. So hot. Camille and her friend were pouring water on themselves to keep cool. 

I didn’t get many photos of Calvin this week, but he just caught a pass here. 

My favorite photo of the day — right through Carter’s fingers (look at the football in the foreground. I almost didn’t see it the first time.)

Busy days, but good days. My calendar is maxed out.