Caut!on & The Bean

I don’t have the video’s ready to go yet… But I just can’t wait to post on this evenings events…

As I’ve stated before, Collin’s been playin Flag Football for a couple of weeks now. So, after last week’s first loss of the season to the Bears, (by a last minute TD) we got wind that we would be playin another tough team this week. The Bengals are a team of bigger guys with some serious speed. So our brilliant coaches spent a little extra time and effort in practice this week to prepare them for the big game. Well, that big game was tonight… and what an incredible game it was.
Bengals had first possession. Packers (that’s our team) came up with a big defensive stop which resulted in change of possession. A few plays on offense and then a quick handoff to the left outside and we were on the board first. The Packers decide to go for 2… They run Collin’s favorite play: the “bootleg delay”… Collin lines- up at center… snaps the ball to the QB… stays in his position for 2 seconds as the rest of the team goes downfield to the left… then after the QB fakes the handoff, Collin, bolts out angle right as the QB rolls right…Boston, the QB, tosses the ball perfectly to Collin… he makes the catch beautifully, on the run, and cruises in for 2 points! (Yes, I have this on video. should be up tonight).
This sort of intensity continued for the entire game, back and forth from both teams. It was a well played, high anxiety game with plenty of parents and coaches hollering at a bunch of little guys on a short football field. Then in the final seconds of the game our Packers are up by 8. 26-18. The Bengals snap the ball. Their QB fumbles and picks it right back up. Should be a dead ball in Little League Flag rules. But the refs say play on. He tosses to an open man, who runs downfield for the TD. Ugh! Of course they would go for 2. Of Course, they would get the 2. Tie Game! And the ref shouts, “THAT’S TIME!” … and it’s Game Over…

Collin you played your heart out tonight and were dealt a raw deal. But I think I was far more upset about the call than you. You were a true sportsman… you didn’t think twice about the garbage call from the refs. After the intense game you played you were more focused on the fact that you and your team stayed together and executed well enough to tie with that tough Bengal team. You were absolutely glowing for the rest of the night. You are a beautiful human being. You seem to know where to focus all your energy. Even at eight years old. I know a few adults that could learn a thing or two from you, my dear boy. Don’t you ever change.

HEY! Good Game!

So, My son, you had yourself a Birthday. 8 years ago you entered our lives and changed us forever. A silly little boy with a great attitude and a big heart. You're no longer that little round faced kid bouncing around the place. Nope. You're quite the little man now. Smart. Friendly. Courteous. And a perfect big brother to such a booger of a little sister (love you Sara). You know, I couldn't be a more proud father. I love the way you can't wait to tell me everything that happened during your day, when I come home ... all in the span of sixty seconds or less... and that's while I'm still standing in the doorway.You make me smile. You make me run. You give a hard time. You remind me what life is all about. Collin, you inspire me! Happy Birthday, Monkey Man! I love you...
-dad

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You're Birthday Party was quite a success. Even though we had to move it all inside because IT WAS SNOWING OUTSIDE!!! Yeah, can you believe that?! No big deal... We still had fun,with a few kids from school, some kids from your football team, a couple cousins, a few close friends and a real life mountain man... What A Great Day!

I got a call from a friend Wednesday morning asking if Brandon had time to do a portrait of a little girl. "Of course" I say. The job is a 4yr old girl who has just passed away this past week and the family would like to have it for the funeral and viewing on Friday as a tribute to this beautiful child. She had both Brandon and I crying! Needless to say Brandon stayed up all night Wednesday and Thursday to finish this precious portrait, it turned out perfect! My husband has so much love, and he is so talented. Brandon I want you to know how much the kids and I love you, you make me so proud, the kids and I are so lucky to have you. You make everyone in your life want to be better, you set such a good example for Collin and Sara. I know this baby girl is looking down from Heaven thanking you for this wonderful gift you gave to her family. I love you!
-J

This is mom, and this is my first post, so bear with me.

So today, Collin's school offered a program called "Ident-A-Kid", where Police Officers fingerprint and take ID photos of the kids to put on ID cards that the kids can carry with them. Good to have in case of a dire situation (god forbid). The school also offered this to younger siblings.
So, I filled out the envelope (they only provided room for one child's info) with Collin's information and put in enough cash to cover two kids; a 20 dollar bill.
I tell him "$10 is for you, $10 is for Sara. So please let your teacher know that she is coming."
"OK, Mom" He says.

Sara and I show up at 10 am and go to the gym. We get in line, which by that time was with the 4th grade girls. They all wanted to play with Sara like she was a Barbie or something. After a long wait in line, it was Sara's turn.
The officer says, "You're a bit small for a fourth grader". And she just smiles!
I tell the officer that her Big Brother had her money and he looks at Sara and asks "Is your big brother's name Collin?" Sara was so surprised that this strange man knew her brother's name. "You must be Sara."
With her eyes wide she says "Yes, my name is S - A - R - A." She was so proud!
The officer then proceeds to tell Sara that her big brother was looking out for her and paid for her earlier.

That just about brought me to tears.

I am so proud of my big boy. He loves his sister so much!

Thank you Collin for looking out for your baby sister today. And every other day that you think of protecting her. I love you both to pieces.

-Mom

So I'm just sittin' here working on the computer and Jodi's sittin' over there watching some TV. Sara's gone to bed and I just heard Collin turn the shower off.

Jodi turns toward the bathroom door and shouts,"Collin, just put your underwear on and then bring me the lotion so we can lotion you up, Mr. Dry skin"

A few minutes go by and I hear the bathroom door open, "I put my underwear on, Mom!" Collin says with a little giggle.

We both turn to look and see a buck-naked kid standin' there with his underwear on his head!

Classic!

The sun is hiding behind some heavy clouds, making the evening feel later than it is. There's a small chill in the air as Summer is giving Fall an early peek. As I walk across the grass field, I can see 5 little guys in green jerseys huddled around their coach. I reach the sideline of the little league football field and find two beautiful ladies sitting on the grass.

"Here's the blanket you wanted. I didn't miss anything?" I inquire.

"Nope, they just finished warming up" Jodi says as she spreads the blanket out for her and The Bean to sit on.

I bend down, grab the video camera that I had Jodi bring, and pop in the battery. Disc Error? What the...? Do I want camera to recover missing data? Uhhhm... Yeah sure, I guess so and I click the "OK" button. A tiny hourglass starts dancing in circle as the camera tries to fix itself. I look up to see the boys still huddled in their own end zone. A whistle blows. BBRREEEEE!!

"Time starts now" hollars a young man standing in the middle of the field.

I look down at my video camera and I still see that silly little hourglass twirling. C'maahhnn! Why now? My head snaps back up to the green shirts as they are walking to the 5 yard line where they will start their first ever drive down the field. One boy bends down and grabs the ball... A second boy, lines up behind the first as QB... A third and fourth boy jog out to opposite ends in the Wide-Out positions... And Collin lines up three or four steps behind the QB in the Running Back position. ...


Then it happens...

"Dooowwn, Set, HIT!" QB receives the snap. Receivers bolt down field. QB turns to his right and extends the ball. Collin is there to receive the hand-off. Two defenders close in. And Collin doesn't juke, he doesn't spin, he doesn't roll out... he turns on the Turbos and runs right between both defenders. He runs right past the rest of the defense. He runs the entire length of the football field for the first touchdown of the game, of the season, of his life!!!

And I look down to see a stupid little hourglass disappear!