Soccer

This is the second fall the kids have played soccer.  Many in our community get together on a volunteer basis to put on this short, free, but fun soccer league for the kids.  My favorite part about this program is that all the kids from 4 to 12 all practice and compete in the same location at the same time (on separate teams according to their age).  It makes for a pretty crazy field, and, with the way the field is divided up, the little ones end up with pretty small playing fields, but it's been a great way to introduce our kids to soccer without having to drive here and there and every which way and who knows what time.  It's also been fun to see how the kids have improved from last season to this.  

Lincoln made HUGE improvements.  He seemed pretty uninterested last year.  This year he was right there in the middle of the action all the time.  He loved it and did his very best.

Hudson had great fun both years, but I think he is ready to move on to a more competitive soccer league for this year.   It's been fun to see him work hard and develop more confidence in his abilities. He always works hard and takes it seriously.

Libby is the most fun to watch.  She has a blast and is a ray of sunshine in every practice and every game.  She basically serves as soccer player and cheerleader at the same time.  She loves meeting new kids and getting to know them.  It makes it hard for her to be aggressive when she's a friend to everyone!  She's constantly moving, even when the ball is not in play.  She pushes herself hard, ending up completely worn out at the end of each day.  I loved watching her play, giggling and smiling the whole way through.

There's Hudson in there, black shorts with blue stripe, in the middle of that mess.

Ethan and the kids after a great game.  Ethan got to be Maria's coach both years.

I think Maria is also ready for a more competitive league.  It was so fun to watch her improve so much over the two years.  She was definitely our most improved player.  It was especially fun for her dad, as her coach, to see her get more aggressive and go for that ball!  She did a super job!

The kids absolutely love soccer.  It's great that they get this opportunity to play and learn and grow and have fun.  It's basketball season now.  Hudson just started his first year.  He is beyond excited and is loving every practice!  Maria was supposed to start basketball this winter too, but she got pneumonia instead.  Poor girl!  I feel especially bad - she got it from me!  Let's just say, this hasn't been our best winter.  The Christmas season and the new year has been spent being super sick and convalescing for half the family.  We definitely look forward to healthier times when we can use our bodies again!