The Gridiron and The Pitch

For the past four years August has signalled the beginning of two things. School and Football. Not necessarily in that order, especially when one lives in Texas.

This year with the cool (dare I say cold?) temperatures of September and October we have again plunged into school, football, and now soccer in the mix.

A few shots of the kids for your viewing pleasure - and to explain where I seem to spend 23 1/2 hours a day!

The Gridiron.



Parker getting ready for a game.






I believe this was the halftime talk from Coach Bradford. He looks very serious here, actually they really do have lots of fun.

Parker listening to every word from Coach Mike, and also wondering what I made for dinner.

See the big kid with the HUGE "X" on his helmet. Yes, Parker. In this league all kids of the same age play together but those over a certain weight (100 lbs) have to wear this big "X". I think it is meant to keep everyone safe but in fact it just scares the kids on the other team when they have to line up against Parker and the other few kids on the team sporting the "X".

Spencer getting ready for a game. Note the serious face. This really is him. He is a bit of an animal on the field and takes it pretty seriously out there.

Spencer plays both offensive and defensive line this year. He also got the chance to start kicking this year. He loves that moment everyone is on the line, watching for him to drop his arm and make the kick. As in this shot (see the ball coming off his foot? Kinda hard to decipher without some help.)

Every game Spencer's team plays the same team, Blanding Blue. Yes, every game because there are not enough kids that age in this area to make more than 2 teams! Spencer and No. 11 in this shot have developed a bit of a thing. Right now they don't like each other much. Also, notice the size difference. Watching them match up is kind of like the scene from the Princess Bride when Wesley fights Andre the Giant.

Spence is #12 here, on the bottom of the pack. I think he may be trying to bite the ankles of the quarterback.

And finally to The Pitch.

Whitney is loving soccer again. She played in Texas in the spring and now gets to take advantage of the fall season here. Love this action shot of her playing goalie and throwing the ball in.

And this other action shot of her picking the flowers. The quintessential picture of 1st Grade soccer. Only thing I am missing is the shot of the mob of children following the ball around the field.

Whitney and her good friend Cory are on the same team together. Cory is the boy whose face got cut off in the shot because Daddy did not realized that it was important to get them together. Does the Overprotective Father phase start so soon?

The action shots of our lives. Oh yeah, and of course my action shot:

Yes, that is me with the legs sticking out forever. This is just the warm-up for the game. You should see the long line of us rockin' moms there on the sidelines! Please note the blankets, jackets, hat, gloves, etc. Football here is not for the faint of heart, or internal temperature.