Days with Abby...: Soccer

Dear Abigail,

This spring you started soccer. Let me rephrase that, this spring we ALL started soccer. Mommy and Daddy do not know a thing about how the game of soccer plays out, but thanks to you (and your coach!), we're learning. The first couple of soccer practices were pretty good, other than the fact that I dressed you incorrectly. Apparently the socks are supposed to go on the outside on your shin guards, not underneath them. Who knew??? Not this soccer mom. But I learned thanks to posting a picture of you on facebook at your first practice. You would have thought I didn't dress you from all the responses I got!! Anyway, you dress correctly now. Your first game got rained out and so we had a make up game on Thursday. We were ready, and so were you!

Everyone said their prayers, some of prayed for safety, others prayed for a win (your Daddy...)

And after the prayer, you and a couple of your team mates kept holding hands. Too stinkin' cute.

But then y'all were all ready!!!

Well, if this is called getting ready.

Here we go!!! At first you stood back and watched.

And kept watching...

But they scored, so we got to 'kick off' the ball and you got to do it!!

But you didn't really understand that you were supposed to KEEP kicking the ball, not kick it to the other team. So they scored again...

And you just stood there and watched...

And watched...

Then wondered over to the goal. Hey, maybe you know more about this game than we thought...

You finally got in on some action and were SUPER excited about kicking it!

And then it was half time. Or an end of a quarter. Again, Mommy is unsure of the rules of soccer other than no hands! After half time, the team got together to go over Coach Will's #1 rule - Have Fun!

You had an itch maybe???

Back to action! Or standing...

But wait....

Here we go...

Wait for it...

Look at Mommy and make sure she's looking...

GOAL!!!!!!!

Wahooooooo!! You were soo excited. You ran straight over to me and gave me high fives and were jumping around and had a grin as big as it gets!!! The whole team was excited because that was your teams first (and only) goal of the game!

Now, I have to admit, that the team we were playing was pretty good, or at least 1 girl was, and they scored like 2 million. SO, finally they sat that girl out AND played "freeze" while you scored. None the less, you scored, and did it beautifully. Apparently it wore you out because the next play, well, you didn't play...

But then something got a hold of you and the goofiness came out!!!!

Over all, a fun first game. There were no tears, so we were happy. Unfortunately, Haley or Kayleigh (or something like that) did have tears. Poor girl was upset because, and I quote "They won't share the ball and let me score in my goal!!" What's even funnier is she is one of triplets, so sharing is a big deal with her and her brothers and she could NOT understand why the other team would not share the ball! Ha!

So game one went down in the books. Game two came with spectators! Mimi and Pic-pic and Sarah all came to your game on Saturday! Unfortunately, Mimi's battery was dead on her camera, but I can recap. One girl dominated. They scored. And scored again. And scored again. Until finally you scored. However, you scored for them... But you didn't know any difference so we acted like you scored for your team! Even Coach Will gave you high fives!!! It was pretty funny because again, you were so excited. You had to take a couple breaks because you were out of breaths, but overall another good game. No, we did not win, but it was fun.

This past Saturday you had another game and this time Ellie and Aunt Steph came to watch. Also, Mommy had a long talk with you about how we do not just walk off the field. We wait till Coach Will or Coach Gwen tells you to take a break. I also tried explaining that you can take the ball away from the other team, just don't use your hands. I'm still not sure that clicked...

I had my doubts at first...

But you got up in on the action and actually got a few kicks in here and there!

The other team, yet again, had a dominating player or two, but you girls played hard. We've come to the conclusion that our team is all newbies where as the other teams have experienced players. We're also asking for age verification next game :)

Again, fun was the key and I think you had it. You even would get excited while you were not playing and just dart onto the field and try to get in the middle. Multiple times I had to pull you off the field because it wasn't your turn! I think you are liking it, and I have to say, you are getting better and better with each practice and game.

I mean look at you here - I can see the tension...