The football season is over, and there was something great about the boys playing. Caleb, a 9th grader, played on our JV team which was made up of all freshman. There is quite a bit of anticipation as these guys grow together to see what they are like on the field in another couple of years.

Jeb played Upwards. We are sort of stunned by his ability. Yes, I know he is only eight, but I was eight once and not any good.

Caleb played defensive end and tight end, both ways all of the time. Jeb played quarterback, and they usually do not throw the ball in 2nd grade Upwards but our team threw the ball and threw it a lot. Scored a lot. Jeb is left-handed but does a lot right- handed. In baseball, he throws left, bats right. Basketball, he dribbles just as well left and right. I think that the right-handedness comes from just watching and wanting to do exactly what his older, right-handed brother did.

Caleb shined defensively and offensively. Great, beautiful catches. He and I would talk about how good receivers catch all of the balls they are supposed to catch and some they are not supposed to. He did this. We talked about how good players do not complain because it gets the attention of the coaches because coaches don't like whiners. He doesn't whine. Coaches like kids that look them in the eye and can take a good chewing, in other words can take instruction sometimes harshly given. This is Caleb.

It is a little sad that football season is over. He has chosen not to play basketball. His decision. And it was a good one. He wanted to not be as busy and he is sort of a homebody. The pace of our lives is slower already and that is a good thing as the holidays start. This week, we have all come home from school together and been around the house together.