October 11

Brady was a little early to practice today so while he was retrieving his bag from the back of the car, he --with a measure of satisfaction in his tone-- paused to show me the massive clods of dried mud stuck in his cleats.

I suggested that he whack them together to dislodge the muck so he did. And he was utterly delighted as the pieces broke off and fell to the pavement below.

He did a little dance and then clapped them together once again. And the joy? It was palpable.

I love that something as simple as de-dirtifying cleats can inspire so much joy.