Birthday Time

It felt like I spent most of my birthday at the Reggie Lewis Center for Caz's track meet.  The first meet of the season.  I really would have it no other way.  It was fun to watch him compete again.  He performed well, too.  He was pleased with his performance.  This in turn made me smile.
     We had a late cake session.  We ate got home late from the meet.  We ate dinner late.  But they still wanted to do cake and presents.  I told them we could wait.  But it was nice.  They were excited to see how they did with their gifts.  Caz's stole the show.  He went to get a collapsible snow shovel for my car.  He ended up getting a real shovel.  A real child's shovel.  "Use under adult supervision."  "For ages 6 and up."  "May cause injuries."  Well, at least he tried....

Week 1 in the Books

3 consecutive days of school & XC are complete.  The boys are getting back into the groove.  Coco seems to have taken it in stride.
     Coco is challenging himself to do more too.  He needs to take a foreign language.  This means dropping a Learning Center.  Coco didn't hesitate in making the decision.  That was so nice to see.
     Caz showed a caring side to hi as well.  Demi asked about practice.  Caz laid out his sprint practice.  When asked if Coco participated, Caz answered that Coco did regular XC practice.  He also offered earnestly that he felt Coco should stick with XC and run the distance.  Caz said it taught hi to push himself and he feels Coco needs that.  I think Caz is right.  What a great family/Sibling moment.

Packing with Care

It's all a part of the growing up process.  We had quite a night, last night.  Demi and I had arranged our schedules, asked for favors, and made Caz a priority, all in order to go see him run.  He has a state meet on a Friday night.  It was going to be a family outing.  But then, just before bedtime, Caz declares that he likely isn't running.  One of his relay teammates had pulled a hammy at the last meet.  Two others were home sick from school today.  "I likely won't run."  So we explain to Caz that it's fine, but then we are going to save our chips for another meet, so we won't be going.  "That's fine.  I am still going to the meet."
     Fast forward to 4 pm today.  The meet starts at 4:30...at the Reggie...in Roxbury.  Text - "When you come, can you bring my compression shorts.  I can't run without them."  Next Text - "I am definitely running".  Needless to say Demi had to pause and take a breathe.  I started running calculations in my head about how to make the meet.  Demi explained to Caz that he was SOL.  I ended up at home having dinner with Demi and Coco.  He knew the story.  He needs to prepare better.  He needs to communicate better.  But it's all a part of growing pains.  He did run.  And he ran well.

Dragons Lair

I will say this for the Duxbury High School Sports programs, they have a top notch strength and conditioning program available to them.  The Dragons Lair will tailor a program to one's sport and position.  They are very responsible teaching technique and making sure the kids don't over do it on the weights.  The use cutting edge regimens for speed, agility, and flexibility.  If the kids in this town don't take advantage of the opportunity, they are crazy.
     Coco is finishing his summer session this week.  The football program "strongly encourages"/"makes mandatory" a summer programs for all it's players.  We didn't have to say a word about it.  Coco accepted it as part of football, all on his own.  He was looking forward to it.  He didn't love it when it was actually time to do it.  But he went.  I hope it pays off for him.  It kept him active, that's for sure.  No Summer of George.....

Green Letter Day

Congrats to Caz on earning his DHS varsity letter in Spring Track.  It was announced at the season wrap banquet tonight.  He was really excited.  And proud.  As well he should be.  Demi and I are very proud of him.  Sure, this is a sports achievement.  It is more than just physcial prowess.  He should some growth mentally and socially.  He competed.  He cared.  He is a great teammate.  

     He is also a great sport.  He went out of his way to shake hands with his competitors.  All of them.  At the end of every race.  He was always the one to approach them.  That is really one of the things of which I am most proud.  Caz is really done well.  Great job, my son.

Decathalon Day Two

From a performance standpoint Day Two did not go well.  But from a personal growth standpoint, Caz won big.  His scrawny frame was not built for shot put.  But he threw it.  Not far, but he gave it all he had.  He made sure he was not going to trip over a hurdle.  He cleared each one by a mile.  He hurt himself in the triple jump.  But even after that, he didn't quit.  He passed on his next two jumps.  But he threw the shot put right after.  He then ran the 1500.  He ran it well too.  Much faster than I could ever have hoped to run it at any age.  He bonded with his teammates.  One graduated.  The others will be senoirs next year.  That is big for a younger kid.  He got a lot out of this.  I hope he understands its and/or realizes is someday.

Decathalon Day One

Caz is going to finish the track season with a decathalon.  The South sectional state decathalon.  At least his coach signed him up with 5 of his teammates, 2 teams of 3.  8 of these events he has never down before.  I think it will be good for him.  He can really test himself.  Both physcially and mentally.  He can push himself.  I hope he does.  I hope he doesn't hold back.  I hope the tests his limits.

He did really well and after day one is in 22nd place.  Not bad at all.  He did really well with a PR in the 100M.  He missed the state qualifying distance for discus, which was the first time he has ever done the event.  He seems please with himself.  He should be.  We are all proud of him.

D3 Track Meet

I love that Caz wants to go home on the bus and bond with his team.  They are going out to eat on the way home. But I could really be asleep now.  I am wiped.  This was a very long meet.  It was also far way, in Fall River.  Ah, the price of parenthood, huh?

Caz ran well.  He really ran a great leg in the 4 x 100 M.  The turn is hard to run. He nailed it.  They set a PR too.  It was nice to see their excited faces.

Taking Flight

It was nice to see Caz take a risk today.  He stepped out of his comfort zone.  This was a great example of a little encouragement going a long way.
     He finished his sprint practice the other day.  He and his buddy, Reese, were watching the end of javelin practice.  Goofing around, they both decided to throw.  Reese got of a decent throw.  Then Caz stepped up and let it fly.  One of the throwing coaches just happened to look up as it went sailing out, over 110 feet.  The coach then asked him to do that again.  Which he did.  He was promptly told he would be throwing in the next meet.
     He was very excited when he came home that day.  He bypassed his usual nervousness over doing something outside of his comfort zone or outside of his routine.  Never mind the fact that Dad had been telling him to go to javelin practice all season.  What does Dad ever know, right?  But hey, he did it.  He threw in the meet today and threw well.  He only used a two step, as opposed to a full run up.  That will come. But he threw very well.  Had he been throwing with the top throwers, he may have nearly placed.  It doesn't matter how he got there.  He got there.  Hopefully, he will continue.  Success breeds success, correct?