Coach Toppall

Is there anything sexier than seeing a father be involved with his kids?  I can't think of many things that warm my heart more.   I wish everyone could see Jeff in action as Ian's flag football coach.  It is quite a sight!

I had about 6 very close girlfriend's mouths drop open when I said Jeff was going to coach Ian's team.  Even Jeff and Ian were a bit surprised that Jeff got instantly promoted from his desire to be an assistant coach to the top position.  No one was certain how this was going to go, especially given Jeff's ability to get frustrated and lose patience very easily.  In similar fashion to Jeff wanting to chaperone the 12 hour field trip to Jamestown (on a bus, no less), we've all been pleasantly surprised at Jeff rising to the challenge and then some.

Out on the field, Jeff is so patient with the kids; even with the one that never stops asking questions.  And he has this smile on his face as he calls out encouraging words to the kids on the field or gives them advice on which way to go with the ball.  I am so proud of him and love to watch him in action.  Ian is enjoying having his dad be involved too.

Coach Toppall...it has a nice ring to it!  Now, we just need Jeff's huge projects he is knee deep in at work to get in line with the program.

That's Ian in the middle of this picture, #22

Flag Football - that's a wrap!

Ian is finished with his first season of Flag Football.  I have to admit that I never watched football before or even understand the game.   Heck, I still don't understand the game, but I know which team to root for.  And I've successfully figured out that when someone in the same colored jersey as Ian is running with the ball, that's a good thing.  A very good thing.  And its just as great when one of Ian's teammates blocks the ball from going any further when the opposing team has it. 

Ian had a great time playing.  I had a great time cheering him and his team on. All of the teams the Lions played (Ian's team name) were pretty evenly matched with the exception of one.  There was this one team that apparently didn't play by the rules and put together a team of the biggest, tallest, fastest kids you've ever seen.  All of the kids were supposed to be between the ages of 9 to 11 years old.  There is no way this was possible with this batch of kids.  The Lions had to play this team 2 times during the season, before the championship play-offs.  One of the game scores was 42-0.  Really.  Each time the moms and dads would comment what a joke it was for our sons to be playing against these kids.  One mom said, "I bet these kids already have armpit hair."  Another dad said, "These kids probably drove to the game."  It was insane. 

Of course when it came down to the big playoff game, it was Ian's team against these kids on steroids.  We all knew what the outcome was going to be, but we all secretly hoped the Lions would get their Disney ending. 

Believe it or not, the opposing team brought a new player to the championship game.  Like their current roster of players weren't intimidating enough, they had a new secret weapon ready to unleash.  The Lions were looking at another massacre. 

Somewhere from deep inside, the Lions played the best they've ever done.   It was truly phenomenal and so exciting to watch.  The Lions put all their heart into it and played a really fantastic game, full of defense.  One of the best quotes ever came from Ian when he exclaimed "Holy cow, I can't believe I blocked that!!"  The kid with the ball he blocked was easily 2 feet taller than him.   He had the parents on the sidelines laughing with that line. 

The Lions managed to score a touchdown.  Up until the last 4 minutes of the game, the score was 7 to 0, in favor of the Lions.  Woweee!!  No one was sitting in their seats; you HAD to be standing, with your eyes glued to the action.  What a game!!!

Unfortunately with the last 3 minutes, the other team scored a touchdown.  The game was tied until the last 10 seconds. It was unbelievable!!!   Then it went downhill quickly and the team scored another touchdown.  The ending score was 7 to 14.  The Lions lost.  :(

The coolest thing was this team Ian played against had never been behind in a game before during their whole season. And for more than 3/4ths of the game, it looked like the Lions was going to win!   The Lions gave it their all.  They should be very proud.  As Ian's coach said to the team afterwards, "It was not possible for them to play better than they did."   What a great way to end the season.

Are you ready for some football?

Ian is not doing gymnastics this year.  He decided that if he can't be on team, then he doesn't want to do a 3rd year of pre-team.  Technically you only do one year of pre-team.  Given the time commitment (9+ hours each week, plus travel on the weekends to competitions) and the financial commitment ($5,000+) it would require this year, Jeff and I told him we can't make that big next step.  Ian was disappointed, but understood.  He found a new sport he'd like to try...Flag Football.

Ian loves this game.  He is truly enjoying himself out there on the field.  I feel good about it because I know other boys aren't going to intentionally ram into him and try to take him down.  Hip, hip, hooray for the flag part of flag football.

When we watched Ian catch a pass during the first game that helped make a touchdown, it was very exciting and a proud moment for Jeff.  Way to go #19!

The game went by surprisingly fast.  When the game was over, Ian thought they still had another half to play.  Ian is a very good sport and his enthusiasm for his teammates, for the game and as a player  is contagious. He is too cute.

We get home after that first game, including Ian having had an hour practice before the game, and we tell Ian to go take a shower.  Ian comes downstairs showered, wearing the same exact clothes he was playing in.  OMG!  Just when you think your child couldn't possibly surprise you, you realize your work is still far from done raising them.