We survived week one of sports season.
Well, the official first week of games and matches, because we are four weeks into everyday practices at this point. Tuesday was our daughter’s first golf match of the season as well as our son’s first-ever middle school football game (and his first ever playing tackle football). And…we survived.
Strike that. We thrived. It was a great day.
When I say that, I mean it, because I’m the mom who is totally fine with our team being mediocre so we don’t make it to the playoffs so the season will just end already because I’m tired. Don’t get me wrong – I love to see them win and I want them to succeed, but if they don’t, I’m not mad about the season ending and my life being my life again.
Ava’s golf match
This season for Ava is a bit different. It’s her sophomore year of high school and her second year on the varsity golf team. However, unlike last year when they earned their spot (seed one, two, three, etc.) and played that seed all season, this year there are 10 girls competing for five positions, and these girls are required to earn their seed at every match/practice. And I think that’s fantastic. It keeps motivation high, effort high, and suddenly it’s no longer too hot, too humid, too tiring, etc. to focus and do your best. You lose your seed, otherwise.
Ava is seed 3 of 10 this season (and very proud). Her match was stellar, though called early due to horrific lightning that didn’t ease up for several hours. Though she only got to play a few holes, her entire demeanor, personality, attitude, and confidence level were unlike anything we’ve seen from her in her many years of golf. She killed it. Confident, relaxed, happy, chatting with the girls from the two teams she was playing against…she was having a great time. And better yet, she looked phenomenal on the course. I believe it would have been her best round ever had they finished.
Carter’s football game
I don’t know where to start here. Carter has never played tackle before. He’s always played flag, and he’s really, really good. As in…really good. He’s the leader of his team, the kid that plays the entire game, the QB, the play caller, the play maker. He can do it all, and he does it with such excitement.
But tackle football is different. Suddenly, you’ve got this talented kid with so much going for him on the sidelines, and he’s…tiny. I mean tiny. Most of the boys on the field – on both teams – outweigh him by 100 pounds (at least) and tower over him by a foot or more. He’s an 80 lb. seventh grader who stands under 4’10 playing against a bunch of 200 lb boys who are well over 6 foot tall. There’s just not a lot going for him due to his size.
He’s fast. He can catch anything you throw at him. He can pass a ball from quarterback like it’s his job. But he can’t do a lot of that when the kids playing against him are so much bigger. His speed doesn’t matter when he’s running against kids whose legs are twice as long as his. His ability to play QB suddenly isn’t as impressive when everyone is so much taller than him.
But…our boy played his heart out. For three quarters, he was on the sidelines. He was jumping, cheering, patting kids on the back, congratulating them on their plays, encouraging them when they messed up, supporting them, and being the overall amazing hype-man that he is. And then he played the entire fourth quarter on offense. He rocked it, too. He tackled kids twice his size. He piled into every attempt to stop kids who outweigh him by a hundred pounds. He pushed, he stopped, he fought, he ran, and he succeeded, and it was amazing to watch.
It turns out…size doesn’t really matter when you’re as tenacious and motivated as this kid. He’s not worried about his size…so why should we be worried about it?
What got me through the day on Tuesday
You can call me snack bitch, and that’s all right. I’m the mom at the golf matches with the full cooler of water and Gatorade, the bag filled with high-protein snacks and carb-filled snacks for every girl on our team and any other girl from any other team who might need a snack or a beverage throughout the match. I have the cooling towels, the fan, the ice, the regular towels…you need it, I’ve packed it, and Craig has loaded it onto the golf cart.
This week was hoooooooot. The high was 97, the feels-like was 113, and the humidity was something like 87 percent. And we arrived at the golf course for Ava’s match at 1:45 pm to sunshine and blue skies. This week’s saving grace for this mom:
Number one: My outfit. I’ve previously linked my favorite game-day apparel, so I’m adding that link again right here, because what a life saver. First, it’s easily breathable, so I don’t feel so gross and sweaty. Second, it’s light and cool. Third, it’s cute, so even when I’m 1000 degrees, I look okay.
Number two: My cup. My biggest Stanley for the win. My ice stays cold, my water stays cold, and I stay hydrated in the oppressive heat. The same goes for our Yeti cooler. So easy to load onto the golf cart to keep plenty of beverages cold for all those girls. Oh, and if you’re not using the Yeti ice packs, you’re wrong.
Number three: My portable fan. Used it the entire match. Sounds like a vibrator if you don’t know what you’re listening to, but unlike a vibrator, this little fan keeps me very cool and comfortable.
Number four: Snacks. I’m telling you…snacks are the way to go in the heat and not just for the girls who are playing their hearts out. For me, too. My go-to snacks on golf match days are light, easy to carry around, and packed with the nutrients the girls need. First and foremost, I like high-protein snacks that are low-maintenance to carry around. Edamame snack packs have a ton of protein, which the girls need on the course. Protein bars and balls are also a must. Additionally, carbs are your friend when you’re an athlete, so I also pack plenty of those. Goldfish cracker snack packs, regular crackers, etc. I also like to include a few pre-made containers of trail mix with peanuts and chocolates, etc. for the girls (and me).
All in all, week one of matches and games was a huge success, and I’m so looking forward to week two.
Tiffany Raiford 