Soccer

We've never had any of our kids in an organized sport before, but this Fall we decided to sign up two of them for soccer through the rec center. So every Wednesday night and Saturday morning for a month, we watched two different soccer games. The thing that made it extra fun was that we coordinated with the aunts so that each kid had two cousins on his team.

Owe, Ro, and Mo

Before the season started, we held an FHE to teach soccer basics, such as "Don't use your hands", and "You have to run and kick the ball." Then we gave them some shin guards and let them loose.

We also taught them how to use their heads.

Rory attempting the head butt

The first game wasn't great both as far as endurance, and understanding what was required of them. Rory would just walk off the field because she didn't feel like playing anymore, or wanted a water break. Her coach had a lot of patience, and was really a saint for herding the cats coaching a 3-4 year old soccer team.

As the weeks progressed, Rory was always excited to put on her uniform and go, but she seemed more interested in the idea of soccer than in the actual playing of the game. Maybe we'll give it a year or two.

Dany, on the other hand, seemed to not only enjoy it but really improve over the course of the month.

At first she was really timid about going after the ball, especially as she was the only girl on her team. By a few games in though, she was getting more aggressive, and handled a couple injuries without getting too upset. Her favorite position to play was goalie.

I realized it was a lot harder to get pictures of her because the older kids move so much more than the younger ones, who essentially run in a big pack. Dany was pretty disappointed when her season was over, and is already talking about Spring soccer.

We're proud of both of our girls for sticking with it, trying hard, and being good sports!