Catch Anyone?

The boys were getting ready for football practice when something interesting happened.  Caz asked Coco to play catch out front before their rides arrived.  Not once.  Not twice.  But three times.  I was really hoping Coco would take him up on it.  But Coco was in a mood.  I am not sure if it was a random mood, or Coco trying to get back at his brother.  Sibling rivalry has been alive and well.  Caz has been less than congenial to his little brother.  So one could see how the little one may have had enough.
     I hope Caz will keep asking.  I hope Coco will say yes.  I wonder if he will ask the old man.

When It's Time to Change

Holy Peter Brady!  Caz's voice is cracking like crazy.  He's not alone either.  Most of his football team sounds like they are purposefully tormenting dogs.  They go from Vienna Boys Choir to Barry White, back and forth more than a men's Wimbledon volley.  Caz's knows it too.  It's pretty funny, but he's not phased by it.  For which I am glad.  I really hope he doesn't feel lonely during this process, or scared.  We have had several talks.  It actually seems like he pays attention and doesn't dismiss them.  I wonder how long this process will go on for.
     Coco just stinks.  I mean, he is funky.  And not Rick James funky.  I leave his deodorant out, so he remembers to use it.  He doesn't use it much so far, but we hope to change that.  For a little guy, he can really stink up the joint.
     Ah, Puberty.  Such a wonderful process.  It's just like the video......

Open House

It was Open House night at DMS.  The premise is for parents to get to meet all of their kids' teachers.  For the 6th graders, its a whole new world, so there is an orientation too.  Demi and I decided to divide and conquer.  I would go through Coco's "day" and she would go through Caz's "day".  The "day" consisted of shorten periods of a full school day, so you could see each of your child's classroom and hear the teachers present their spiels.
     I admit I felt awkward at first.  I found it odd that I needed a map of the place, even though I went there when I was the kids' age.  The room numbers was the big thing.  I actually knew where to go, but the room numbers escaped me.  Demi and I both came back raving about the teachers.  I thought Coco's were very personable and approachable.  I like the details on the curriculum.  I was amazed at some of the resources the kids had:  smart boards, computers (Mac ultra light lap tops), Kindles, etc.  It a long way from #2 pencils , chalkboards, and mimeographs.
     I think it's important to know what is going on in your kids' schools.  You have to be an involved parent.  That doesn't mean you do homework for them.  That doesn't mean you bully teachers into adapting to your kids.  It means you know what is expected from the kids and teachers, and work with your kids to communicate that.  It was a well attended event.  Maybe there is some hope for these Deluxebury parents....

Bleary Eyed

This weekend went by in a blur.  When I say football season is hectic in our household...that is an understatement.  DFL week one:

Friday Night
Caz - 90 min walk thru practice

Saturday
Coco - Practice from 8:30 to 10:30 PM
Both - League weigh in at 10:30 - drop off for buses
Run home and help Dad & little brother close the pool
Pick up kids from weigh in - the whole process runs late
Take Caz to Bridgewater for a game
Stay in Bridgewater with Coco for DHS opening game
Stop at Dave's Diner for dinner (Saturday Burger gets a two thumbs up)

Sunday
Coco - Team pancake breakfast @ 8:30 to 10
Drive Caz to game in Scituate @ 11:30
Caz and Coco's games run until 5 (right during Patriots opener)

After dinner I sat on the couch and fell asleep.

Monday morning- repeat for Week 2

Back to School

Back to school shopping....and the Halloween items are already out in aisles.  Odd, right?  So is the fact that the kids have already been back to school for 3 days...before Labor Day.  When did that happen?  Labor Day isn't even late this year.  So what's the deal?  Are they expecting an especially harsh winter?  Looking to get our early in June?  And why do we need these in-service days for teachers?  That's a new trend too.  Don't like it.  Not a fan at all.

Labor Day

How is it that I need a vacation day from spending two long days at the beach?  I mean it.  I am wiped.  I got up early, so I decided to watch a movie - Battle: Los Angeles.  Much better than anticipated, after it got panned and bombed at the box office.  There was a long process of cooking breakfast, but then I spent hours cleaning the garage and organizing the shed.  But I felt much better by the end of it.  I guess the sun really does take it out of you.  Could have been the 8.5 mile run to the beach too, but who knows?
     What really made my day was throwing the football in the front yard with Caz.  I tried not to coach while we were doing it.  I really just wanted to spend some time with him.  I think if I critiqued his catching, he would get irritated.  The Lizard King would rear it's head.  Then I would have to bee hive him and wall him up.......It was really great though.  We threw until my arm fell off.  Then we grabbed Gizmo and let her chase us around the yard.  What better way to spend the last day of summer?

Preseason is Over

That's right.  The football preseason is over.  It did take a toll on my postings, but in the end, it was worth it. This is year one of going back to the future, with only one football program for the kids of Duxbury.  There were some anxious moments in the beginning though.
     Caz had every reason to be nervous.  Going back to the coach that was the reason for moving to a different program was daunting.  Demi and I had good preparation discussions with him leading into the season.  We asked him to give it a shot.  If the season didn't go as planned, then we would support him stopping, in season.  Demi and I usually tell the kids they finish what they start, but this was definitely an exception.  It certainly helped the cause that his coach from Pop was there.  He was the one that started Zac's turnaround with football.  I think it also helped that we showed that we were there to support him and only asked that he give it a shot.  So far?  Caz has stated a couple of times that he is having fun.  And he has stated that he likes this go around with his old coach (the one that he was fearful of returning to).  Honestly, that is better than I could have hoped for.
     Coco was fine with me not head coaching.  I didn't get into the politics behind it.  No need to burden him with adult nonsense.  He was open to the suggestion of trying a new position on Offense, moving to WR.  I think that position is better suited for his slender frame this year.  This year he could be giving up to 40 lbs away, based on the league weight limit.
     It was a long, hard 3 weeks.  Practice every night.  Double sessions on day for Coco's team.  The heat and humidity of late August in New England.  All the adjustments to new teams and coaches.  That goes for me too.  I am on a completely new staff this year.  It is a good bunch of guys.  We seem to mesh well.  What's best is that the other assistants are in it for the right reason.
     Now, let's start the regular season. Game time.  It's on.  Like Donkey Kong.