The Lone Wolf and Pam Oliver

The final football game of the season could not have gone any better. Snap five and Evan ran up the middle for a touchdown.

A few plays later, Evan ran up the middle again for the two point conversion. 

We won 27 to 6, but as much as Evan might have celebrated or as much as others might have congratulated him, this is where he stood when the defense took the field. 

One could argue his interest in the game is so intense, he can't be disturbed by sideline chatter. He stands next to the coach listening to play calls. He contemplates the strategies for winning and absorbs the entire game day experience. 

Or one could argue he is the Lone Wolf. The boy who would rather contemplate the game on his own, rather than listen to the opinions of the group. The boy frustrated by the mundane chatter of the other boys. The boy overwhelmed by the large group and much more content on his own. 

Either way, it was such a joy this fall to watch him play the sport that brings him such happiness. 

All season Evan has dismissed and doubted my football knowledge. He has shared all of his new plays and game plans with Wes and has assumed I couldn't possibly understand such a complex game of throws, catches, and runs. I'm a female, after all, and my wisdom is limited to advance mathematics and analytical reasoning. But today Evan paid me the highest compliment. He called me "The White Pam Oliver" of football. Finally, my voice will be heard! I'm reading "Football for Dummies" in the off season to live up to these high expectations. 

Until August.

One Smart Cookie

Keagan has had a great start to fourth grade. Today honor roll students were recognized at an awards assembly.

He made all As and received a ribbon for meeting his reading goal. To top it off, he received a letter stating he qualifies for participation in a national talent search because of his test scores. 

Smart, athletic, AND cute? How did I get so lucky?

No Longer a Baby

My dear baby boy turns twelve today! Although no longer a baby, we are continually in awe of the boy we are so privileged to call our own.

 

 He is the master at answering at every question with the single word, "Good." He is the boy who detests technology but spends every waking moment logged on to yahoo checking his fantasy football points. He is the twelve year old that insists vacations are spent as far removed from other people as possible. He is the quick-witted tween that few are lucky enough to laugh with. He is the man-child that can eat his weight in ice cream. He is the sports analyst who can rattle off just about any statistic you would every want to know about football. He is the intellectual that can argue and debate even the most mundane of topics. He is the athletic one that loves to hit in football and loves to stop a scoring play in soccer.

 

And today he is the proud owner of his very first gun.

 

 

(I'm not holding it against him at all that he opened his gun this morning and immediately thanked Wes - even though it was my idea. Nope, not holding it against him at all.)

 



 





We wish you the very best birthday yet, Evan! We are so excited to see where this year takes you and the person you will become. We love you to the moon and back!

Tricks and Treats

 
 
 
This brings me so much joy! I'm so happy to see Evan going trick-or-treating with a friend. I have been saddened that my little boy has become so grown up in such a short amount of time. I am relishing today's costume choice and his excitement for tonight - even if he is ditching us to hang out with a friend.

Keagan and Alex have ditched us, too. Alex's family knows me well enough to know I don't do temps below 55 degrees, and they have agreed to take the boys around the neighborhood. I am so grateful because 41degrees and wind gusts of 30mph spell misery. I lucked out this year getting to sit on the couch in my warm house drinking Port.                                                          Happy Halloween! Hope your night is filled with tricks and treats!

 

Winner, Winner Italian Ice for Dinner

We played eight games this weekend and won them all. We haven't won this many games all season, much less in one weekend. 

Evan's team won first place in this weekend's soccer tournament, too. 

That's my son standing with the coaches. Yep, he's really that tall. Yes, he eats 'normal' food, and yes, I know he looks 15 instead of 11. 

Funny story. A couple of weeks ago the dads took the boys to a sports bar in between games to watch football and grab a bite to eat. Evan was bent over his menu trying to decide what to order, when the waitress asked, "And can I get a beer for you today, too?" Evan looked up. She gasped, and he said, "Sure. I'll take a root beer."

Both boys are coming home today as champions! 

A weekend filled with sports, wins, and beautiful weather? Perfection! We celebrated with Italian ice. 

Savoring the Win

Look at those smiles! The Hawks left today's game with a win - the only win of the regular season. 

In the after-game recap, Evan received kudos for two blocks that led to two touchdowns!

Let's hope this winning streak will be good for one more win! 

Hungry for Goals

Between the two boys we watched eight games this weekend. Friends tell us we're crazy for spending our weekends on the sidelines. I hear them say "think of all the fun you're missing." They must have never experienced the high you feel when your child scores a goal or when your child hip checks the opposing team's player to get to the ball. They have not experienced the joy of winning. 

Our old team is back and playing better than ever! They took home the gold today.

Coach told Keagan he wanted him hungry for goals and there were several pep talks given to him encouraging him to shoot more and pass less. I guess it worked. He scored five this weekend.