Reggie's flag football highlights

Our city's athletic association transitions to tackle football in 3rd grade.  We didn't think Reggie was quite ready for that responsibility, so he (and a friend) signed up for a flag football league in a neighboring city.  It was an interesting bit of a culture shift from our city's league.  Maybe it was just the team, or the league, but, overall, the experience was less....passionate. I don't know if this was just our experience, or a growing trend in youth sports, but no one seemed very excited about winning.

I think someone was keeping score during the season, and certainly the kids were, but nothing was ever said about the teams winning or losing a game.  That's all fine, I'm not saying the winning team should be smug about it.  But when it came to the final tournament, although it was much of a side note, the three teams with the highest ranking where scheduled to play two games in a mini-bracket, while all the other teams played one game.  I thought, Okay, here we go!  Finally, some competitive enthusiasm!

Not so. The games came and went, and Reggie's team won both games, so we concluded the Broncos won the tournament.  The stereotypical "everyone gets a trophy" didn't happen. Instead - no one did. But it's not about the trophy. Not even the coach acknowledged the victory - at least not publicly.  No one held up a #1 finger when the team posed for their end of season photo op, not even one kid.  The league had sponsored an ice cream truck, and even though it was 45 degrees, all the kids had a scoop of ice cream.  And then it was done.

Don't get me wrong - I agree youth sports should be about kids having fun, trying new things, and learning to be a team player and a good sport.  But it seems like there was such a concern about a nine year old feeling bad about not winning that we couldn't celebrate a job well-done.  Isn't there something to be learned from both winning and losing?  I see value in both.  I see value in placing somewhere in the middle and being proud of what was accomplished.  I see value in placing last and saying, "That was a tough break.  Let's see what we can do to change that next season" or "Well, maybe football's not your thing.  Let's find something that is." And to the winners, "Wow, you worked together, and it paid off. Congratulations!"

Regardless, Reggie had fun, and we enjoyed watching him.

(And they won.)

Brett's golf highlights

Bryan was excited Brett decided to try golf through the Special Olympics.  Bryan loves to golf, so he hopes his kids will learn to golf so they will golf with him!

Everyone starts at the "skills" level.  There are six skills that they work on: short putt, long putt, chip shot, pitch shot, wood driving range, and iron driving range.  Once they get a high enough combined score on these skills at an area or state competition, they can move up to 3-hole.  Brett scored above 40 at both area and state, so he will do 3-hole next year!  Brett also got a hole-in-one on a long putt at the state competition (but of course I didn't get it on camera)!

We are proud of Brett for trying something new and working hard at it.  It paid off!

Brett makes some new friends

Brett's Special Olympics flag football team got the privilege of scrimmaging at the Vikings practice field with some of the Vikings players!

I love this picture of Brett hanging out by the watercooler with O'Neill, as if this is something he does every day!  Also, Brett looks so tiny!

 After some game-play, there was an opportunity for autograph signing!

 Brett with Kendricks.

Brett with O'Neill.

To recap, August:

 September:

Lydia's, Grandma's, and Grandpa's first Packer game

Each kid gets to go to their first Packer game in the season of their 10th birthday.  This makes it a sort of coming-of-age celebration. This year, it was Lydia's turn!  But it wasn't just any game - it was the Packers vs. Vikings game!

There were some very special guests who came along with her - my parents!  And this was their first Packer game, too!  They are not exactly Packers - or even football - fans.  So we got them "Beat Minnesota" pins, and they had a great time at Lambeau Field.

Before the game, they tailgated with Uncle Adam and MeeMaw (who did not attend the game), Papa, Uncle Chad, and a couple of his friends.  Just like Brett's first game, it was very hot!

Also, just like Brett's game, the game went into overtime!  But unlike Brett's game, this game ended in a tie.  No one was very happy about that.  But there's no such thing as a bad day at Lambeau Field.

 Meanwhile, on the home front, my parent's dog, Sitka, watched the game on my lap.

 And then snuggled into bed with Brett!