Nate's First Day of Full Contact

Today was Nate's first day of full-contact in football. They had to have three days of practice with helmets and five days in pads prior to contact. Talking to the other parents, this day is the make-or-break-it day for a lot of the boys in their first year. The first time getting tackled or tackling another player, going helmet to helmet, pad to pad shocks them the first time. Nate was a little nervous going into today, not knowing what to expect. I watched Nate out there a little hesitant at first to make the first full-on tackle After a few tries, he got into it. He got his bell rung during one of the drills when one of his teammates accidentally clotheslined him. He couldn't breathe for a few, which scared him more than anything. His coach told him to sit out for a bit, but instead he jumped back in and continued the drills. All-in-all, he liked his first practice, but knows he's got a lot to learn. His coaches are fantastic, working with the kids individually as need, very patient, but very disciplined. Nate's team has their first scrimmage with another team on on Thursday. Their first game is on August 25th.

Nate and I had planned on going to the Detroit Lions practice today, but it got rained out and moved inside, which doesn't have room for the public. We went out to our favorite restaurant, Buffalo Wild Wings after practice and came home to watch a movie, as part our ongoing man-week.

Nate and I talked to Cathie, Maddie and Em and it sounds like they're having a blast. They spent most of the day at the American Girl Doll store downtown. They got their dolls hair done, they got matching outfits and had their pictures taken with their doll and then took them to an American Girl Doll play. Nate and I agreed that this would be close to our idea of hell. Nate and I broke down today and did our first load of laundry, but we're avoiding any dishes, making beds or cleaning anything else until the 11th hour.