Football camp started the week after we returned from Canada. My commute to work and home was fun as I transported three boys to and from camp. During the day I walked to the stadium to see what they were doing. They enjoyed camp even though the days were hot. Four hot and humid days! I treated them to ice cream and cold drinks on the way home. Elliott said he would like to be a resident camper next year so I have started saving my pennies so he can attend.
Youth football practice started at the end of that week. I have been taking Elliott to practice three nights a week. While he practices, I have been walking/jogging on the track. Games started on August 24 and the last regular game takes place on October 4. So far, Elliott’s team is undefeated (4-0). They have three games to go. If they continue to win, they will go to playoffs. I won’t go there now though. We’ll see how each of these games go.
Here's my favorite player deep in thought
Mixed into the craziness of juggling practice and dinners, the kids had to get school supplies and clothes. They get excited shopping for supplies. It makes me smile to see their excitement and how they organize their supplies. Both Olivia and Elliott are attending new schools this year. Olivia is now a freshman in high school. Elliott is in 5th grade in the middle school. Elliott and I attended a BBQ at the middle school for the incoming 5th graders and their families. We met the 5th grade teachers, ate dinner with friends then toured the building. We then went to Elliott’s homeroom and his teacher talked to us. He changes classrooms this year and was a little nervous about learning his schedule and being on time but he had mastered the middle school life. With practice three times a week, it’s a challenge to complete homework but he has been good about tackling that when he arrives home.
So high school…let’s just say Olivia is loving it and we can’t believe it. Four more years and we’ll be taking her to college. In the meantime, we hope she has a blast and enjoys these years because they will go by so fast. She has a wonderful group of friends that she hangs out with. She is enjoying her classes and teachers. She is a great student. She comes home and gets right to work on her homework. Last night she started coming down with a cold and today I told her she could stay home (I could tell she wasn’t feeling well). Well, she had to check her schedule first then she asked if we could pick her up at 12:45 pm. Since John is home, he could have but she decided to stay home and rest. Olivia sent a folder with Elliott to give to her best friend on the bust so she could collect all assignments for Olivia. She is responsible and very committed to her studies.
Football game days are long for me because I have adopted Elliott’s team. I provide oranges and bananas for half-time. So I have to prepare for the games. There is more to do when we have home games since I bake treats for the concession stand, I volunteer at the concession stand for one of the other games and this year, I have started making welcome signs for the visiting team as I want to promote good sportsmanship.
By Saturday night we are all tired and we sleep really well. Sunday is another game day - in front of the tv if one of our football teams is playing.
John has started training Ruddie again as they have an upcoming trip to Maine in October. I am hoping the weather doesn’t get too cold before then as he won’t start the coal stove until he returns. We have been having some cold nights but fall is here and it is my favorite time of year.