Can I start with football first? I know it's a little out of order, but I need to address it first. Andrew has worked so hard all summer at football install/conditioning. For whatever reason, now that everyone is back (not everyone does summer ball) he is really struggling and having confidence issues. I believe that part of the issue is that they had him on defense all summer learning plays and now they have identified a need for him on offense. Also, he is third string offense behind two equally great kids, but that isn't helping his confidence to tap in and take them out, so he can jump in and practice the position. If you have been with me for a while, you know that my kiddo isn't god's gift to athletics and that he has to work extra hard to even get close to where other more athletically gifted kids are at this age. Also, he is almost a year younger than the majority of his teammates, and it shows in their bodies and muscle mass. Even though he has gone through a major growth spurt and is pretty much as big as the biggest kids on the team, he still seems very soft and chunky like a younger kiddo and not like an almost high school kid that works out all of the time. While the hormones have started, they aren't 100 percent flowing yet.
For those reasons I don't think the coaches take him very seriously. Heck, I get it, next year is high school ball and you have to have your shit together to play, both mentally and physically. He's so close but just not there and we are at the point where we can't help him anymore other than helping him with learning plays. I had already given him an out this year to not play and just focus on racing, but he signed himself up voluntarily, so he really wants it now. I had secretly hoped this year would be different but knew in the back of my mind that even with new coaches, it probably wouldn't be. I hate when I am right. He's had several bad practices and several days that he claims he only got a few minutes of on field time in a two-hour practice. Since they have practice during my working hours, I can't confirm or deny.
Anyway, we had our first inter squad scrimmage and he got a ton of playing time on both sides of the ball, go figure. I hope this trend continues but I'm honestly not holding my breath. I am sure if I go back a year and read this very post last year, I will have probably said the exact same things. I hope next year in high school he picks marching band, but I am sure the football coaches are going to get their hooks in him. If he keeps growing like he is, he will be a big kid and he will fit on the line nicely. Sigh.
Shifting gears, we said goodbye to the grammy and the grandma. I wish we could keep them for longer. It's never enough time and we never get enough pictures. Mom got to see Andrew kick butt and race and I'm so glad as she's been there through the years when he wouldn't pass or be aggressive. Kind of cool to see him go full circle. I could have kept her another week or more.
I somehow had 4 work outs last week, two upper bodies, one lower body, and a core work out. I'm starting to increase my kettle bell weight, and I am almost ready for some exercises to move up to the 20 lb. dumbbells. I love seeing progress even if it's super slow. Some exercise I really struggled with at the beginning of this journey are finally becoming much easier. I love it. AND BONUS! It's getting cooler so we can start running again. It's going to suck and I'm not sure how I am going to balance both, but we are going to try.
Okay back to football. Since it's hard to get to games with Saturday day races starting next week, we had to get tickets and do it up right in the tailgating department. While it threated rain all day and would sprinkle at times, we had a ton of fun and sat in a new to us spot this year. We even splurged and got a parking spot and invited some friends over to our tiny spot for food and beer.
We and I say we because it was mostly Cole, cooked bacon cheeseburgers on our Blackstone grill. They turned out amazing!
We sat across from where we usually get tickets and it was an adventure. I think at one point I was sitting on Tony's leg we were so crammed in. I did like that at half time the band played TO us as Andrew could get the full effect of the brass section. Plus, him and Cole could go down and get autographs and pictures of Willie.
It was a nail biter of a game, and I surely thought we were going to lose, but the cats pulled it out at the last minute somehow. This is going to be a long year I fear for the cats. I think we are going to one more game this year and it's an in-conference game so hopefully they get their shit together.
Best part of the game was the drone show.
So glad we got to see it and the rain didn't affect it. It truly was a magical night even though the game was kind of crap. The field show and atmosphere was rocking, even when we were behind. I loved having our own tailgate and our bonus kid did great cooking and preparing the food.
I hope we don't sit in those seats again because that was a little too close and personal. When we sat on the other side, we actually had room to spread out.
We couldn't leave Manhattan without a celebration in Aggieville. Cole had never been, so we had to take him to the Varsity food truck for grilled cheese and bacon sandwiches and hot fresh donuts.
Of course, while we were waiting in line it started raining, but we could smell the goodness and didn't want to leave. We only got slightly drenched. I've never gone to the food truck at night since Varsity didn't exist when I was in college, but I bet if it wasn't raining, that place would be a happening spot.
Okay this is getting super long but it was a super fun weekend, and I am tired but pleased. I love this time of year with racing winding down and football winding up. Fall seriously is my favorite time of year and I can't wait till my two favorite holidays Christmas and Thanksgiving are here!
Have a great week y'all!!!!
.JPEG)
.JPEG)
No comments:
Post a Comment