Football, football, football.

My oldest son had a Jr. High game last night. He played quite a bit in the first quarter, but not much after that. He got clobbered on punt coverage because he wasn't aware of ALL of his surroundings and someone (much bigger than him I might add) blind sided him.

It was a painful game to watch. It was like his team didn't want to be there. How do you change that in 7th and 8th graders?

I told him after the game that he got hammered because he didn't have his "head on a swivel". He knew it and we both had a smile on our faces because I knew he knew I was going to say it.

Head on a swivel.

That's a phrase I use a lot. I am trying to drill into my kids. "Head on a swivel" means be aware of all of your surroundings. Know what's going on, not only in your immediate vicinity during a game, but in life. Pay attention. Anticipate what's coming next. Have respect for the people around you. Do things without being told. Too many people in this world walk around with blinders on or their heads in their rectums. I don't want my kids to be like those people.

Tonight we went to the Varsity game in town. Apparently I am a different kind of parent. Perhaps I would have fit in well with Ward and June Cleaver. (June Cleaver. Raaaawr.) I don't let my kids run around and irritate the people at the game. We came to watch the game, so sit down and watch the game. I had a family friend tell me after the game was over that they were impressed how my kids sat and watched the game. That felt good.

The game was a laugher. The visiting team was small, both physically and in numbers. They had a couple of talented players, but our team had many more talented players. The whole family went because my youngest sons got introduced as members of the 5th grade team during the half-time festivities. They were just BEAMING!

Tomorrow they have a 5th grade game at 9:oo am. So it's off to watch them in the morning. There are issues on their team regarding playing time for all of the kids. The boys club says all of the kids should have equal playing time to develop all of the players. As is frequently the case , the coach's kids seem to be allergic to the sidelines and play the whole game. Some of the parents will be logging playing time tomorrow I bet.

After that game it's home to catch Bucky at 11:00, and yard work after that.

I was hoping to cook again this weekend (I smoked some wings last weekend for the Badger game, and they were really good) but I don't know if I will have time.

Then, of course, my beloved Packers play Monday night against the Bears.

Enjoy the weekend everybody. Cheer loud, play fair.

And don't forget to worship The Savior on Sunday!