Wrapping Up Soccer Season

The end of March through April are the busiest six weeks of the year. It ranks right up there with Christmas, maybe even busier. Its soccer season. This year my four oldest all played; my two boys who are one grade apart got to play on the same teamfor the first time. They were excited abput that and I was relieved to not have to try to juggle a fourth soccer team.

A couple fellow "soccer mom's" and I have asked ourselves why we do this every year: rush the kids out the door shortly after they get home from school, getting three kids to two different practice locations at the same time, struggling to fit in a nutrishous meal that we don't really have time to cook, keeping shin-guards, jerseys, socks, etc, clean and in a place where we can find them in a snap, keeping track of treat rotatoins, keeping the little ones happy as they are toted along to game after game after game . . . We know why, becuase the kids love it, and frankly, inspite of the hustle and rush and carpooling, we love it too. We love watching our kids racing accross the field, or picking dandilions when they sould be paying attention. We love seeing them beam as they get in a good kick, steal, or breakaway with the ball, or watching them stomp their feet in frustration when the other team scores. We love cheering for the teams, laughing with the other parents, and spending time with our family as we support whoever's turn it is to play.

A few highlights:

Left: Gracie playing goalie. Her team of five through seven year olds drove the refs and coaches crazy taking forever to decide whose turn it was to do a throw-in or kick off. They wanted everyone to have their fair turn.

Right: Charity pondering her next move.

The boys' team kicked the ball out into the road during one of their games and it was instantly hit by a car and flattened with a loud bang! They also had a couple of games they had to forfeit because some of their teammates didn't show up, but they got to play just for fun with family members and off duty refs joining in. Dad jumped in for half a game too. It added a whole other element to see the kids mix it up with the big guys! The competition level was lower because it wasn't an official game, but in a way it was higher as old(er as in teens through guys in thier thirtys) and young wanted to get into the action and show thier stuff! Here is Dad mixin' it up with the boys:

What a stud.

We have one more game tomorrow and then we will be done for the year. Next up is softball for the girls!