Sunday Fun Day AL

Some post game notes.  What an epic football game!  Auburn wins!  Auburn takes down the #1 team again!  The fans stormed the fields.  Toomer's Corner was rolled, like it has never been rolled before.  The carnage was unreal.
     Caz was great too.  He made a hand crafted sign for the crowd shots during Game Day.  He walked with this sign, on full display, from Game Day to the dorms, from the dorms to the Stadium and from the Stadium to Toomer's Corner.  He must have been stopped 50 times for pictures.  Some took pictures of just the sign.  Some wanted him with the sign.  Some wanted him, with them, with the sign.  He was a total rock star. 
     What was fantastic, was that Caz verbally showed his appreciation for the tickets and for the effort of his dad coming to see him.  This game was the only game not included with his freshman football ticket package.  So not only did he get to see the Iron Bowl at home, he got to see it with his dad and his girlfriend.  Dad bought 3 tickets for this event.  Both of them were really appreciative.  The smiles they had and the excited they exhibited were worth it all. 
     Caz also made multiple references to the fact that he wanted to spend time with his Dad, while I was down there.  He recognized that I missed him and wanted to spend time with him.  His girlfriend was great too.  She offered to bow out of a couple of meals out.  But he will be home in a few weeks, and I have some one on one time with him then.  She is important to him and I want to be supportive in that.  He is happy.  What more could I want? 

Iron Bowl 2017

War Eagle!
     I fly down yesterday for a weekend with Caz.  We are going to attend the Auburn vs. Alabama game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, known is these parts as the Iron Bowl.  This annual game between the two Alabama colleges is a huge part of Rivalry weekend, and could be "THE" best rivalry in all of college football.  This year the surging Auburn squad is still an underdog to the #1 ranked and undefeated Crimson Tide.  Auburn beat the previous #1 team, 2 weeks ago and has a chance to win the SEC West and a spot in the SEC Championship game.  On top of all that, ESPN chose Auburn for it's College Game Day broadcast.  Mayhem.
     With all of this hype and with all my passion for college football, the highlight of the weekend is seeing Caz in person.  I really missed him on Thursday (as I mentioned in my previous post).  Some father/son time is just what the doctor ordered.  I am sure he's more excited about the game.  But I can tell you honestly, for me, it is all about the kid.

Thanksgiving 2017

This was a different Thanksgiving to be sure.  This was our first one without Caz.  It’s not like we haven’t known for months that he wouldn’t be home from college.  We did think for a while that we would all be together in Alabama.  But that didn’t work out.
     He was in a good place.  His girlfriend’s family was kind enough to take him in.  They gave him a nice place to be for the holiday.  Caz was good too.  He Skyped home to tell his Mom how thankful he was for all we had done for him.  It was the best past of the day.  He also Skyped while we were at my brother’s house.  It was nice to talk to him.  It was great to be able to see him.  Technology is excellent in that regard.
     I still missed him terrible.  Sure I know that things change.  I know the time is coming where the boys will want to be other places during the holidays.  They will have their own families some day.  Doesn’t make it any easier.

Drive to School

Today Coco drove to school solo for the first time.  Demi caught it all on video.  Then he drove himself to work.  Banner day today. A great day of firsts for the kid.

License To Drive Part Deux

Another milestone reached by Coco!  He passed his road test and is now a new Masshole driver.  It’s a new measure of independence.  And better yet he can drive himself to and from both work and school.  We all win!
     He is actually a very good driver for his age.  He has a good balance of confidence and caution.  Truth be told he is probably better at his age than his older brother.
     I am very happy for him.  He has accomplished a lot this year.  It’s nice to see his work pay off.

50th Anniversary

My brother and I threw our parents a party for their 50th Anniversary.  50 years to the day.  Family and friends were invited to the function room at Disch’s Tavern in Pembroke.  Almost 50 strong celebrated the day.
     Caz was of course, off at college.  Coco missed a portion taking the SAT.  But we made it work.  Demi rushed out to pick up Coco and made it back to eat.  Caz tried to Skype in.  The WiFi was weak.  The picture froze.  But my parents appreciated the gesture.
     The is what I wanted the boys to understand.  You have to make an effort for loved ones.  It’s not easy.  It’s often inconvenient.  In the end, it was worth it though.  Lead by example.  Now I hope they follow.

SAT Day

Today was a big day for Coco’s college search process.  Coco took the SAT for the first time.  Big doings for the little guy.  We skipped the essay this time.  He will take the ACT next.  Then we will decide which to take again.

     Just as I did with Caz, I let Coco study for the test his way.  If the result is not wear we want it, then next time, it goes my way.  And Coco would pay, if I choose a study course.  I know he used the study book I ordered for him.  That seems promising.