Soccer Kicks Off 2008

G's first foray into organized, team sports. Soccer is huge in our town. (Apparently, we have one of the nicest soccer venues in the state.) It seems everyone plays and each trip to the fields finds us running into yet another person or family we know--through work, school, church, you name it. The fact that it is 100% parent volunteer aside, it's all a lot of fun.

G's on the Gold Team, coached by one of the pre-school Dads we know and like tons. Of the other eight players assigned to his team, G went to preschool with three of them. Another is now in his kindergarten class. I think it's going to be like this throughout his school and sports years in our small town.

So we made it to the initial team meeting and soccer clinic the first weekend of August. While he was marveling over his new jersey (loving his assigned #4--Ricky Carmichael's number), we looked over the practice and game schedule....shaking our heads as we realized G would miss all of the subsequent practice sessions before his first game. Of course we knew going in that there would be scheduling conflicts given G's dirtbiking and vacation/camping commitments.

Fast forward to his first game. I was nervous, thinking he'd be the odd man out in a well-oiled functioning team. Minutes into the game I realized we were watching 5 and 6 year olds out there--at least the ones who would get out there and play the game. LOL They had yet to come together as a team; they're still just little ones equally apt to sit down on the field or wander off to do something else than they are to get in the game. Having played disorganized soccer at home and with friends, G was just happy to don a real jersey and take cues from a real coach. One of those "I'm finally doing it for real" moments. He had nooo trouble jumping in, scoring goals and staying focused.

Just a few games into the season, every player is getting into the game. Scoring goals and now learning how to pass to teammates. It's fun to watch. I'll always remember the first time G and teammate Garrett passed the ball between them and set up a perfect goal. Neither looked to the sidelines to see if Mom and Dad were watching. Instead, they looked straight to each with a look of wonder on their faces. As if to say "Wow, that was cool."

So G loves it. Seems to excel at it. And Paul and I have jumped in to the volunteer pool with both feet. I coach some weeknight games and we both will man the concession stand next week. Barb and Mark attend every game as well and Mark is responsible for the great pix that follow.