are you ready for some football?

I thought I was.  Ready for some football that is.  This is going to be a very hard post for me to write without saying some words that I know I shouldn't say.  Mama bear is a bit angry tonight.  And hurt. Mostly angry.  Let me give you a little back story on Dilon and football.  The kid has wanted to play since he was about three.  He used to talk about it ALL the time.  Last year was the first year he was old enough to play and he chickened out because he had to get a physical.  His buddy told him that they check his goods during it.  That was enough for him to say forget it.  Do you blame the kid?  Then he was all bummed out when it started and his friends were playing and he wasn't.  So this year he put on his best brave face, puffed up his chest and walked into the doctor to let him take a look around.  He signed up a few months ago and has not stopped talking about it since.  He was soooooo excited to start.  He has been practicing every day in 90+ degree heat for an hour and a half and has loved every minute of it.  Today was his first game. He has been looking forward to it for years.  Seriously, years.  This has been better than Christmas for the kid.  Lets just say he walked away from the game heartbroken.  He's the smallest kid on the team, the most non aggressive kid on the team, and the newbie.  Most of the other kids have played 2 or 3 years.  He barely got to step onto the field.  Do you know how heartbreaking it is to watch your kid stand next to the coach for 2 hours looking at him with those cute little blue puppy dog eyes just waiting to get put in.  I know he's not the best at it but he didn't even get to play much.  All 5 coaches kids got to play pretty much the whole game.  Funny how that works out.  That's where the mama bear comes out.  I know they want to win.  Of course they want the best players out there.  But these kids are 9.  I didn't think this would happen for at least 3 or 4 more years.  He walked away from the game looking like he was going to cry.  Thankfully by the end of the night he was pretty dang excited because they won 24-6 (go bears!!).    I hope he doesn't get discouraged and sticks with it.  I like watching my kiddos play sports (even though today broke my heart). 

I asked Grif if he was going to play football next year.  He has a great build for football and he has the anger/aggression issues to back it up--that's got to be a plus.  His response was "nope, I don't want to get butt sweat".  What?  Where does that even come from (not the butt sweat.  his response)? 

Here's to hoping next week dilon will get to see a little more action.  I don't know if I can handle a whole season of seeing him look so sad.  I'm as proud as a peacock but I don't think he cares.