Fall fun with Daddy!

(one of the few blog posts a year by Jason)  It may not feel like fall outside anymore, but we Schleicher boys embrace the fall season when it comes each year.  Jaden and Cody have now lived through three autumns, and in our house, that means they're currently participating in their third fantasy football season.  The boys co-manage a team named "First Name Jaycees" in our "Schleicher Relatives" family fantasy football league.  Every player on their team has a first name that starts with either the letter "J" or the letter "C".  Their kicker is even named Cody this year!  Last season, they shockingly won the championship after barely making the playoffs.  Defending their championship this year has proved to be too difficult a task, unfortunately.  

After this week's game, the boys' team will have a record of 3-8 and are all but eliminated from playoff contention.  Daddy still has fun letting them pick their starting lineup each week, however.  Here are two videos from a fantasy football matchup from many weeks ago that turned into one of their 8 losses. Perhaps the short videos will give you a look into their semi-distracted fantasy football minds.  You will also notice that Daddy asks one boy at a time to make a fantasy football decision.  That's called "adjusting to their age".  In week one, I looked them both in the eyes and gave them the choice between Jay Cutler or Joe Flacco at Quarterback.  One boy chose one QB, and the other boy chose the remaining QB.  It was nearly the same for each of the fantasy football starter positions that first week of the season, and Daddy said to himself, "They'll need separate teams in not too many more years.  Until then, I will specifically ask one boy for one position decision at a time."  

Here are the boys with their "loot" of objects that represented their starting lineup.  You may also notice Jaden's one blue and one white sock...Detroit Lions' fans at heart, I tell ya.

Coach Jaden and Coach Cody had many decisions to make about which players would play on this October football weekend.  Cody Parkey (kicker for the Philadelphia Eagles) is one of two players not listed since he was the only kicker on their roster by week 6.  Calvin Johnson (Daddy's favorite NFL player) was also not available to play due to injury.  As has been the case much of this fantasy football season, the boys left too many points "on their bench".  Joe Flacco was the right choice at Quarterback as he put up a huge 40 points.  Leaving Julio Jones, Julius Thomas, and the Arizona Cardinals defense on their bench cost First Name Jaycees 37 points, however.  Jaden and Cody lost by 21 points in this particular matchup to their cousins, Ian and Ryan.  

What else was Daddy up to with the boys during beautiful October?  We spent a few Fridays in a row raking lots of leaves.  Look at these hard workers!

Jaden and Cody certainly know how to combine work and play...

Jaden began picking up some leaves by the arm full and placing them carefully in their own separate pile away from Daddy's big pile.

Cody liked throwing the leaves up in the air.  Sometimes, he needed help getting the leaves out of his hood (or hair).  

In the end, the boys learned a lot about yard work and how to have fun when God changes the seasons.  

Thanks for a fun fall, boys!  Regarding fantasy football, celebrate the fact that you are the defending champions for a few more weeks.  Regarding any more leaves in the yard, look outside and celebrate by paging through one of your current favorite books titled, "Hello, snow!"