SOCCER!!!!! soccer...hmmmmm

So!!  Today was Gavin's first ever soccer game!!  We have been excitedly anticipating this day for quite awhile.  Daddy is his coach and Mommy is his Team Mom.  Wooohooooo!!!  Silver uniforms...what should the team name be- Silver Dragons-??...banner....soccer cleats...water bottle...adorable (I mean macho) soccer bag...so much to do to get ready for this first game!!  How fun for a little boy to have this excitement build and build, he talked about it all the time!!  (He even got a new pair of soccer ball undies!!!  shhhh...don't tell him I told you that!) 

Okay...last night...bag all packed, uniform laid out, plan in place for getting ready and out the door no later than 7:45 am.  Can you picture it? A little 4 1/2 year old boy almost not able to fall asleep due to anticipation and I am sure some anxiety about this new adventure.


We wake up right on time!!  Off to a great start!!  Yay!!  Uniform on, hair done, bag packed, snack for the team loaded in the car along with SOOOOOOO much other stuff that it looked as if we were going camping for a week!!  Oh yes...did I forget to mention that it is raining??  But that doesn't matter...Mud Line says "fields are open" so we are on our way!!  First stop, Mommy's Pumpkin Spice Latte (Thanks so much for informing me these are back at Starbucks Carrie!!)and bagels (ok, donuts too, it is Saturday afterall) for breakfast.  We arrive at the fields right on time...we won't talk about the EXTRA long hike I had to do with the girls, stroller, soccer bag, diaper bag, breakfast, waterproof blanket, umbrella, (did I mention 2 little girls?), etc etc.

AYSO Soccer BU5 (Boys Under 5) league has paid UK coaches to come in and help with the practice each week.  Practice is the 1/2 hour before the game.  This was so much fun to watch and Gavin was definitely in his element.  Organized instruction...he LOVES that!!  He listed so well and responded to the coaches with such enthusiasm and confidence.  Half hour of drills and the boys are all pumped up to play their first game...so off to their designated field we go.

Each team has 6 players, but only 3 get to play at a time, there are 4 quarters, so each player plays half the game.  Gavin starts out the first quarter.  He is all smiles!!  He loves loves loves running after the ball and he put forth his absolute best effort.  Gavin's sportsmanship was outstanding!!  I am so very proud of my little (big) boy.  I sat on the sidelines (nursing Lily and trying to help EJ feel better) feeling so lucky to have such a wonderful little guy, and how lucky are we that Daddy is the coach?...Anyway, I sat there watching and smiling...SOCCER!!  Yes!!  Soccer is finally here!!

Just look at that smile!!

Lucky #7

Father and Son

Now, as you all know, my Gavin is a very sweet, kind hearted boy.  Yeah sure, he can rough house and tease his sister, basically be all boy.  However, he doesn't always exhibit the "all boy" side.  While playing the game there was another boy who dominated the game and Gavin couldn't really get a hold on the ball when it got close to the goal.  This boy constantly made the goals.  Gavin felt defeated.  Gavin started having the quivering lip...he wanted to badly not to cry, but the tears escaped his eyes, showing to all that sweet sensitive side of his.  Oh my little boy Gavin was crying and my heart was breaking.  Quarter ended and off he ran to me, to bury his head in my shoulder, to find his safe spot to let his emotions go.  He told me "Mommy, I am afraid that I will never make a goal."  Oh how I wanted the perfect words to help him understand that all was just how it should be and that he would be fine.  I hope to him I had the perfect words to reassure him.  He got back on that field and tried hard again.  This time he was mowed over by a group of boys...the field was soaking so he was dirty (we know how Gavin doesn't like to be dirty) and his feelings were hurt...he felt like he was pushed (which he wasn't) and out came the tears again.  He sat and contemplated soccer in my lap that last quarter.  I think he is struggling with whether or not he really likes it, but I think the "like" is going to win out the "dislike". 

This is a very long winded post that I had to write in order to help me contemplate my own "like" vs "dislike" of soccer.  I think the "like" is going to out win the "dislike".  I think Gavin and I are BOTH having a big "growing up" moment/experience that will be priceless as far as life lessons go.  I just hate to see my boy struggle, wish I could take away all the hurt, but I know that this will make him stronger.  I just pray for the strength to be strong myself. 

Soccer day...all in all...a great day!!