Soccer

It's hard for me to believe that Aiden is old enough to be on a soccer team. And it's even harder for me to think of myself as a "soccer mom". With the minivan and everything. Crazy how fast it seems to happen.
When we went to his school orientation, they had soccer league sign ups. However they were all going to be wait listed because official registration had already closed before we even moved. So we gave it a whirl and hoped for the best. We didn't get a call by the first game, so I figured that he didn't get in. Well, the Sunday after what was their second game, we got the call that he was on a team! So his first game was the team's third game. Our registration fee included the uniform fee, but they didn't have a uniform for him, so the coach told me that until his got in, I needed to find a black shirt, shorts, and soccer socks since they were the Black Tornadoes. So I went shopping and all I could find were solid black long sleeved shirts. It was scheduled to be in the 90's for his next game, and that just didn't fly with me, so I found some PJ's that had this for the shirt. It was on clearance for like $3 and was much cheaper than the long sleeved shirt. So I went with that. I figured they could live with it-and I was right. The coach loved it and thought it was more than ok. (I was thinking-good, since I'm essentially paying for 2 uniforms now).

So this was his first game!

It was 97 degrees that afternoon and the kids were HOT! Poor things in their black uniforms. To top it all off, it was team picture day as well, and they had to stay after to get their photos done. It was lunch time, they were hot, and really cranky by the end. The photagrapher was being really picky too. We ended up staying there for over 3 hours total. What a mess. I was getting a little irritated too. I wasn't even ordering pictures since he didn't have a uniform. I was getting a free one that was included and that was enough for me. In the end, the pictures did turn out really well, and I have scanned them in at the bottom of this post.

Micah was on call, but was able to make it out for his first game :) He's been great about making every game he can, even if he has to come late. And thank goodness he is able to come because we have another little "soccer star" who can't wait to get out on the field. And for the most part he doesn't wait! He gets right out there with the big kids during warm up. Micah usually takes him to the other field while they practice, and then during the game, he has to sit with us. (They have a 30 minute practice before the game). Sometimes this doesn't go so well, and all he wants to do is be in the action. But he's got a few years yet...

Yeah, he really really really wants to be a part of the team!

With four games left, he finally got his shirt! The coach didn't have his uniform shorts or socks, but I was just thrilled he finally got a jersey! It was the game before Halloween, and part of me wanted him to go as a soccer players just so we could get some more use out of it!

I tried to get a few videos of Aiden playing. They're pretty short because my battery died out on me. He's getting better with each game and becoming more aggressive going after the ball and keeping up. We're so proud of him :) He has scored a goal almost every game. But we don't keep score during the game.

They are always good about cheering for the other team at the end and giving high 5's. This league is really big on good sportsmanship. All they want from us parents is to cheer. The coaches wear shirts that say "They Play, I Coach, You Cheer".

And then the parents make a tunnel for the kids to run through. That's always a highlight for the kids, and of course Devin runs through too.

Go Tornadoes!

Monkey in the middle ;)

It was really nice that someone lent their jersey to Aiden for his individual shot. I didn't think he was getting one taken since I wasn't ordering one (parents weren't allowed over during the sessions). But it was incorporated into the team picture layout we got for free. I love it. I'm a proud soccer mom :)