Spring Soccer Fun

Throughout the winter season, Daniel had asked again and again when soccer would start- he really wanted to play soccer again in the Spring, so when registration started waaay back in February, we hopped right on it. And after many many emails from the league begging for coaches, we decided we'd give that a try, too- so Daddy was Daniel's coach, too! This time, Daniel was in the Elementary League for 5-6 year olds, with practices on one night and games another day, like a normal big kid league; he'd aged out of the Little Kickers program that he was in last year.

The season started off well, Daniel enjoyed practices and was willing to go to games. He liked that Daddy was his coach- that was never an issue like we'd feared. (Actually, the biggest issue we faced with Daddy coaching was that Annabel was super jealous she couldn't play, too, after all, that was her Daddy out there! Don't know how I did not see that one coming!) We had pretty good weather for the most part- never had to cancel games, only had to bundle up a few times, and it was always fun to walk over to the fields together as a family. Daniel was on the gray team this time, Revolution was the team name- Go, Revolution! The kids both especially loved it when their grandparents came to watch, too.

Annabel loved going to Daniel's games- she loved watching and she loved playing her own soccer on the sidelines. And she LOVED playing soccer in our basement, complete with her own imaginary coach, who even had a whistle (Annabel would screech "HOO!" for the whistle), and even her own imaginary teammates with names like Sakalanama (or some other weird totally made up unspellable name!). It was a lot of fun to see Annabel get totally into soccer this year! This girl cannot wait to start on her own team; it's too bad she has to wait until she's 4 in our town and we can't strike while the iron is hot. Annabel did do a little sports camp for 2-3 year olds back in May that did soccer and t-ball, which she liked well enough, but it wasn't like Daniel's, it wasn't the real thing and she was aware of that; she didn't want to do that again. Annabel's turn for real soccer will be here before we know it, though!  She really can't wait and everybody does actually compliment her on her playing skills- the girl can dribble that ball pretty well!

Anyway, now, after 10 weeks of practices and games, the Spring soccer season is officially over! Daniel is glad, very glad. So are we, because while he enjoyed practices all throughout, games were a whole other matter toward the end, and quite like pulling teeth, which is just not fun, for any of us. Needless to say, we have not signed up again for Fall; Daniel is just not interested anymore and that's okay. He stuck with it for this season and that's all we ask. He wants to do more gymnastics, so that's what we'll do. We support him in whatever activity he is interested in, though we do insist he do something that gets him moving around. For now, it's gymnastics- both kids love that just as much!

Here are pictures from this season's soccer fun! Oh- and Daniel was number 2 this season if you're looking for him in the game pics!

Annabel at a practice at the beginning of the season.

First game of the season!

Windy day, snacks, and soccer spirit at the first game!

Go, Daniel!!

Cute selfie in spite of a windy day! 

(oh and it's the cutest thing in the world to hear Annabel say "selfie"!!)

Remember Daniel is #2...you can see him running with the pack. And there's Coach Ben, too!

Daniel warms up before another game!

Daniel kicking the ball back in! Coach Ben is nearby!

Daniel gets the ball started again!

In the action...kinda...

Super smiley Annabel!

Annabel plays with Grandpa Larry during a game!

Smiling with Grandma Mary Kay!

Grandpa Gary plays with Annabel, too, during yet another game!

Did you notice Annabel is wearing Daniel's clothes?! Yep, I let her out of the house like that! She loves to borrow from Daniel, what can I say?!

I was trying, very lazily, to take pictures of Annabel while sitting next to her and this is what I got- a perfectly symmetrical picture (I forgot I had the camera zoomed in!)- but I kinda like this picture anyway!

And that's a wrap! 

Soccer season over, trophy received!

(Daniel is being the head of the ball statue- he thought he was so funny! He is goofy!)

Daniel's soccer picture- cute smile! You'd think the kid likes soccer with that grin. Or maybe it's a grin and bear it grin. Either way, pretty cute pic- I'll take it!