We have been keeping pretty quiet. Just getting back into the swing of things in the New Year!
A friend of mine captured this shot from Saturday’s soccer game. Is it wrong how much I love it?
He is just really intense! Yes, that’s what we’ll call it!
Soccer has returned to our house on a big way. It never really left because we had World Cup fever this summer and the boys are still talking about it.
As I mentioned the boys are at a new school. Not just new to them, but new new. Because grass for the the soccer fields are not completely rooted yet, we have been practicing at a local park.
It isn’t easy to scramble over there in time right after school, eat snacks and do homework in the car, change in the parking lot and all that jazz, but the location is pretty sweet.
I guess we will suffer through it.
As an aside in case you are jealous, please know that there is a fair amount of litter and in some places the grass is knee high to a giraffe{soccer balls don’t roll on high grass} Oh, and there is an open electrical panel just to the left of this picture. If a child touched one of the fuses, I’m pretty sure many of us would die {no joke}. We’re not in Kansas anymore.
But oh what a view!
These boys are over the moon excited for the World Cup, or as Miller says it, “FIFA World Cup Brazil”! Knowing their love for soccer and Miller’s love for Geography I got them the Panini World Cup Sticker Album. They have had a blast getting the stickers, adding them to the album and trading the duplicates with their friends.
They know so many of the players and it is neat to watch them recognize players during the games.
We have watched more than a few games already.
{Miller has swimmers ear last week and since it was so hot, there was nothing to do but stay inside.}
We were invited to a party for England vs. Italy. Although Italy prevailed, our English friends still managed to have a good time anyway.
When the US has played we have been ALL IN!
We’ve got flags, signs and even had an All American dinner on Sunday night.
The first American goal came within 35 seconds of their opening game against Ghana. Allen came through the door as we were going bonkers!
Our American shirts have been getting pretty much worn non stop these days!
The US plays again on Thursday and I know we will be right in front of the TV cheering on the Red, White and Blue from the Bahamas!
This time I am positive that our soccer season is really over. {We had a long haul to the last tournament where they were practicing for several weeks leading up to this last hurrah.}
The long awaited tournament was on Saturday! Both boys were up at 5:40a.m. excited to go….a full 3 hours before warm ups started!
They both played several games and Allen was traveling back from D.C. so I did my best to be on two fields at once.
Jackson killed it at goalie during the first game! I was so proud of him, but I have to say I was shaking like a leaf with nerves. He loves playing goalie, but it is a ton of pressure! He played better than he has ever played!
In the next couple of games he played different positions. They won 1 game, tied a game and lost one game. I was very happy with Jackson’s playing!
Another trophy to add to the collection! He deserves a huge trophy for his hard work!
Miller also played so so hard. He wasn’t looking forward to playing but ended up having a blast!
I love that he is so intense on the field. There are some kids out there who are “flower pickers” if you know what I mean. Not Miller, he may have Attention Deficit Disorder, but that boy can focus when he chooses to!
He is also an excellent defender. Honestly he plays with American football style defensive tactics. The other kids who play against him are often surprised {from behind} but he is effective!
He was beyond thrilled to get his first trophy!!
The boys have had such good experiences playing soccer and have learned so many valuable lesson as well. I can’t wait to see if they choose to keep playing!
I’m not sure but I think that soccer season may be over. They had the tournament last weekend and that usually signals the end of the season. There may be a few random games, but I think we are done! { I was so focused on getting all the water and snacks we would need for 2 boys for many hours, that I left my camera. A friend of mine took these pictures.}
Miller told me on the way to the tournament that he doesn’t really like soccer because he gets tired. We spoke a bit about being a part of a team and keeping commitments. So he played in the tournament, but his heart wasn’t in it. His soccer career may have ended. I’m ok with that!
I’m thinking that he’s the only kid in this picture who looks intense! He takes after his dad is his rhino like approach to soccer! Poor girl who got in his way never even saw him coming.
He is much happier just hanging with his friends.
Jackson puts his whole heart into the games. They played 4 mini games and then lost in the semi finals. He was pretty disappointed, but that is part of learning. Before every game I tell them to play hard and have fun. I like to subscribe to the philosophy that if you had fun you won. Otherwise it can be too much!
He mostly plays goalie and for this tournament the hosts decided to abide by Bahamian Football rules which is that goalies can not use their hands. Look at the size of the nets they were playing with.
If you think a 7 year old can cover that net with no hands, I want to meet that 7 year old. It was a little discouraging, but I know he will face much bigger disappointments in his life than this.
Overall they have both had a wonderful time playing soccer and have learned a few things about sports, and more importantly about life during the season.
As a parent, I want my kids to know just going out there and giving it their best and learning about who God made them to be is a joy to watch no matter what the score is at the end of the game.
Last week a friend of mine spotted this in the paper!
He is now famous.
So far he has managed to still go about his days and live pretty normally despite his fame.
Do you see anything funny in this picture?
Remember when I had a blog? Remember when I used to write posts on a regular basis? So I have been a bad blogger, but sometimes life is just like that.
I’m going to do the best to recap the exciting events we have done recently. We went to soccer, we rode bikes and I ran some errands. Oh, I don’t want to forget that I’ve been doing physical therapy for my knee. It is doing a lot better, but the physical therapist is killer!
We’ve had some crazy weather and when the winds are high these hotdogs are usually on the beach! We love watching them!
Miller’s eye is all better from his knife fight! Unfortunately he has to wear glasses now!
Jackson was named Student of the Week for the Library. Because he is awesome- and shy. Look at the picture of him!
Isn’t he the cutest in his tie? I die!
Miller loves his daddy, a lot, a lot, a lot! So do I.
Are you jealous of the bars on our doors? I am over them! They are here to serve a purpose, so I deal with them.
We also has the trike a thon! I’m going to have to give that it’s own post though!
I recently read the Tina Fey book, Bossypants. It was the funniest book I have ever read. Not often that I read books that make me laugh until I cry. Read it, you won’t regret it!
I think that about catches you up! Now go forth and conquer!
Soccer season started during the second week of school. It lasts the WHOLE school year. This weekend was their first game. The weather was a little overcast, which was awesome because it has been so dang hot here.
Jackson has been playing for several years and he really a love for the game. For the past few years he has mostly played goalie and he was very good at it. This year he has mostly been playing defender and he is doing awesome! I am always so happy to see my mild mannered boy get in there and play hard!
Miller has started the season three times and it seems like the third time is a charm. He is loving it this year! In the past he was enthusiastic, but practicing was too much for him. He wants to go, go, go and waiting for 19 other kids to kick the ball before he gets a turn just doesn’t work for him. This year he has the patience for that {most of the time} and he is doing awesome. I was so surprised in his first game how good he was. He is still a little fuzzy about some of the nuances of the game {like not stealing the ball from a player on his own team}, but my goodness he has the defense thing down! He stole the ball {from the other team as well as his team} a bunch of times and had great determination and focus, plus he LOVED it!
I never expected to be the mother of two boys much less excited to spend my Saturdays at the ball field cheering for my sweaty boys, but it is so exciting!
8 months after soccer season started…
It was worth every practice, dirty uniform and boring {for me} practice!
