And So It Begins

Football season is once again upon us. With two playing this year (pause for a moment and digest that info, next year we''ll have THREE) football pretty much rules. Homework is accomplished at the field, dinner is sometimes accomplished on the way home from the field (and occasinally from a cereal box). Yes, I did just admit that. Fortunately, this was the last week of two practices every night, so we will soon be back to eating food that doesn't come from a paper bag. In spite of the nutritional impact, we're having a GREAT time. It probably helps that the bakery outlet is beside the football park. Of course, we only go there for their gigantic donuts freshly-squeezed organic juice. Ahem.
Now, some of you who know us would have assumed that Scooter is the other player. He's the obvious choice. Not so. We all know how Quab feels about sports, being outdoors, competition, and being hot and sweaty. But he is 100% into the game! He must have caught some of Bugs' enthusiasm, or perhaps the daily off-season discussion of football worked into his subconscious. However it happened, we're proud of him for going so far out of his comfort zone and trying something new. He wants to be good at football, so he is always looking for Bugs or Dad to practice something he struggles with as a rookie. He was pretty sure he would be killed by one of the lineman in his first game and I'm hapy to report that he's alive and well. Quab was beyond excited to get the same #12 that Bugs had last year. It makes us smile to see him all suited up like a (much) smaller version of his older brother.
Bugs moved up to an "A" Team this year, so the play is pretty intense and somehow he is NOT the biggest kid on the field this year. I think it scared him a little bit to walk into tryouts and see himself standing beside boys who were a foot taller. And Bugs is still a BIG kid! Nothing intimidates this boy, though. He knows what is expected and he will rise to that every time. Like everything else, he wants to do football well or not at all. Bugs has a unique gitft in that he is convinced that he is good at anything he does. He's not cocky at all, but he doesn't see himself as inferior no matter how unfamiliar or demanding the experience. He expects to win. It is awesome.
Anyway, if you have wondered where we all are, that's the story. We'll be back to reality in early November. Until then, join us at a Saturday game or a weeknight practice. It is fun to watch. Today's season openers were an exercise in losing gracefully for the boys. And they did us proud, like always. We came home and had an impromptu family football clinic on the front grass. I was awarded Bug's last-year jersey for my hard work, and in spite of my dismal performance. I can hear the cheering now.