Alex in practice gear

Day 8 Tomahawk football practice

Today was a piece of cake for Alex....weather was perfect...breezey and cool...They ran very little ...hit and blocked alot more..learned some positions...I think he is starting out as a guard on offense and a linebacker on defense. Nothing major happens just a good smooth practice..... I even took a lounge chair and dozed off for about 3 minutes.
Terri showed up and surprised him...he was happy to see her....After practice some kids stayed over to pass and kick for the coaches to see who was good at it...Alex participated but did not throw it the farthest are kick it the farthest. Then we left and raced another parent and their kid to UDF for ice cream. Alex had 2 scoops of fudgenut sundae with sprinkles...
Hes really starting to have fun...I think.

Next practice is Saturday 9AM.

Day 7

Weds practice was a good one.walking into practice Alex was greeted by Taylor Willaims(former Lakota West football star and KK's first boyfriend that's how he knows Alex)Plus In a team huddle one of the coaches congratulated Alex for having the hardest hit he had seen for a first year player...( I even heard the hit from across the field) They did not run as much but they hit and tackled more...

One player quit today...His dad was disheartened...Alex was totally surprised the boy quit.

I said " see Alex all the boys are having a tuff time"

I think he felt good that hes not the only boy that struggles.... I dont think he will quit.

Day 6

Very hot and humid day...Im heading back from out of town. 

KK took Alex to football and dropped him off while he was complaining about a tummy ache....He forgot his helmet( intentionally I think)..duh!

I arrive in town, go get his helmet and rush to practice...to his surprise yea!

 

They hit more , tackled more , ran less..learned different positions..Alex played a lineman and a line backer..Hes almost the smallest guy out there...ALMOST but NOT......

 

He and 4 other boys had to stay after practice and do pushups and run for forgetting equipment. The other boys forgot their shoulderpads

 

I talked to him in depth about responsibility and practice on the way home...oh yea we stopped and got our traditional double chocolate malt at UDF.

Day 5

Monday Alex went to practice by himself....Im traveling out of town...Steph took him...

 

He did well ...got to tackle and block...I spoke with him prior to bedtime

Day 3: Tomahawk Football!

Weds Day 3 was a tuff one....Alex woke up but was so sore he could barely get out of his bunk bed......he walked like an old stiff man barely moving hs feet....he complained and complained.....but still hobbled to Day Care.....they called later said he had a fever.I rescued him and we went to see Batman...hoping to put a positive spend on his attitude ...No luck after Batman he sat in the tub with the whirl pool jets massaging him then he slept the whole day and barely ate anything. did really not want to practice because he said his tummy hurt...I was furious thinking he was whimping out.. We did not go to practice....but he wasnt wimping out either.come to find out there is a 24 hr stomach virus going around. symptons fever, tummy ache, tired.....I felt bad and apologized to him...He said "thats OK grandpa I dont wanna quit"

Thursday is a big day...they start in full equipment and start hitting...I will keep u posted.

 

Day 2: Football Conditioning

Alex was incredible today...not once did he have to sit down from being tired, not once did he complain, not once did he not finish a drill, howwever he did go pee in the woods......they did a lot more drills less running  and they got their practice jerseys, he picked # 15.... dont know why...his favorite number he said.

After practice he even told the coach it was easier...the coach replied " then we didn't work u hard enough"

 

We did our after practice ritual ..UDF chocolate malts made with chocolate ice cream and extra syrup.

His was gone ny the time he got home.

 

 

First Practice

Alex made it through his first conditioning football practice.....barely....he was so tired he could barely stand......they ran laps did sprints,did stretching, did push ups ,did sit ups, ran football drills, had a 1 minute water break...repeated everything again, had another 1 minute break, split up into groups did it all again.....and they did all this wearing helmets , tees and shorts no shoulder pads this fist day.

they wear not allowed to take helmets off the entire practice...practice was 6 - 8:15PM....it was about 75 degrees..not too hot with a breeze ...KK showed up the last 1/2 hr....she could not believe how tired he was...he wanted me to carry him to the car...he said he wanted to throw up...and did not want to go back on Tuesday...but I talked to him all the way home...stopping at UDF for a chocolate malt...and calling jace...so by the time he got home he was OK and willing to continue. But he was beat. He said it was very very hard.

 

 

I simply told him that we were all proud and that he was the youngest BURTON ever to play football..I think that worked ( plus I said I barfed and cried my first day of practice.)

 

I also said it gets easier each day....they practice 4 days per week for a solid month and 3 days during school.

 

I am really proud that he made it through. 

 

Day 2 coming up!  keep u posted