Are you ready for some football??

Benjamin was ready for his first practice.

All the way to practice he walked. Fully outfitted. At about this point he realized it was really cold outside too. Pads don't offer much in the way of insulation from cold winds. We walk to practice as it's up the hill behind our house at the local park.

Yep. The boy who learned about football in Malaysia's 90 degree heat had his first practice in 3 inches of snow! But he hustled and never complained. Later we got a sweatshirt for him. First he tried to put it over his helmet. Later they helped him remove his helmet and then it fit over his pads. Yay for big brothers and available hoodies!!

He lined right up and dove right in. His coaches are wonderful and would pull him aside and explain things to him. This week (his 2nd full week of practice) they would say, "Benjamin - your right tackle!" Ben would reply, "Okay! ... Coach, what's right tackle?" They would then position him and tell him what to tackle and away he went!

After this practice on Monday the rest of the practices were cancelled that week due to more snow.

Some cute Benjaminisms.

As he was reading the blog, "Mom, thanks for feeling sorry for me." In reference to practice being cancelled the rest of the first week due to snow.

Upon waking up on Monday morning, looking at the clock and counting, "Only 9 hours to practice!"

On Tuesday morning, "Oooh. Ouch." Walking stiffly. I ask, Ben, are you okay? "Yes. I've got a bruise here. And a bruise here. And my leg is sore..." So, do you like football? "Yes. A lot."

On Saturday morning, "Dad, I was dreaming I was at practice. I was actually practicing!"