My MVP At His First Soccer Game!!!

After MUCH anticipation…and sleeping with his new cleats…and putting on a jersey every time we get home…and requesting to watch soccer games on TV over his shows…the big day has come and gone! Saturday morning, our sweet Nasher had his first Soccer game of the season through i9! He met his team, had his first practice and a scrimmage right after! Even though he wasn’t quite as aggressive as we expected, he was obviously in his element and loving every moment! His coach said we’re going to have to teach Nash “reverse manners” because he just doesn’t want to take the ball away. But, if he ever gets it, he’s AWESOME! He was so proud when he received the first “Sportsmanship Medal” of the season…and we were so proud of the cutest little Soccer Stud we’ve ever seen! A little half time coaching from Daddy..reminding him that it’s OK to take the ball from the other team…This Big Bro was so proud…I wanted to take some pics with him JUST in case I don’t get to come and watch for a few weeks. I expect to be there next Saturday, but who knows!?

Upward Soccer BEGINS!!!

Here we go…not only am I a Soccer Mom…but, I’m a Soccer Mom x 2!!! Both of my boys are officially in Upward Soccer for the Summer! I’m a proud Mommy watching two practices and two games each week!

Quinn is in his third season playing soccer, and Nash is proudly in his FIRST! He truly couldn’t wait to get on his uniform and the cutest little shin guards you’ve ever seen! He feels so cool to be just like his Bubba and even takes on a different “cool guy” demeanor when he steps on the court…cracks me up!

And, this past Saturday (while Daddy was still in Ecuador), they had their first games as Leopards (Q) and Cobras (N)!

 




Nash’s game was first and he did a great job listening and staying close to the ball! He got to kick it to start the game (see video) and definitely got his feet on the ball many more times during the game! He had an absolute BLAST! His team has mainly 5 year olds (with a few 4 year olds and young 6 years olds)…so, he’s the youngest by A LOT!! But, he holds his own and surely has the most heart on the team! Love that boy!

Then, with just an hour in between, it was Quinn’s turn! He’s, by far, the youngest on his team as well, but is proving to be more aggressive than seasons past. He had a hard hit in the mouth during his first game but came back to play some more! (Bless him!) The video of him playing goalie TOTALLY cracks me up! It’s SO HIM!!! He was SUPER proud when he felt like he helped block the goal…and, I love how he celebrated and then reenacted it afterwards. Hilarious boy!
 

It’s going to be a fun Summer watching my two dudes play Soccer! I’m so thankful to be their Mommy and biggest fan!!!

A million pep talks + 100 water breaks = 1 Happy Wolverine

After an insane amount of pep talks and conversations about the disaster of a game last week, and a SUPER great practice on Monday, our Wolverine was EXCITED to play in his second game! He never once discussed not wanting to go, so we chalked up the sadness from the first game to nerves…and couldn’t wait to see a change! (fingers crossed!) When we arrived at the fields with Nana and Pawpaw, Quinn was all decked out in his new “Batman” shinguards and COOL new shoes! (TRUST ME…we did EVERYTHING to make #5 excited!) He was ready! And, when the game began, our little soccer player decided that this WAS fun! He started…he ran…he even kicked the ball! And, most importantly, HE SMILED!!! We cheered and were so proud of him! Due to a pre-game fall, there was a little drama about the bandaids from time to time (see the sweet ref checking on him in the pic below)…but, he always got back up and ran some more!  Sadly, this crazy Texas heat is NO better…and it was HOT and SOOOOO HUMID! Coach Mike was always making sure that the boys were doing ok and weren’t too tired. At one point he reminded the boys that if there were too tired, or just needed to take a little break, that they just needed to raise their hand to let him know.

And, as soon as the words came out of his mouth, my  little guy was ready for a break…hand raised and all! It cracked us up!

But, after some hydration, he was ready to play once more. Thankfully, he was a COMPLETELY different kid from last week!

     

     

     

  We even saw a TINY bit of aggression from our little tender hearted guy!
Soon after half time, all of the boys started to shut down a bit! (10 minute quarters are TOO long for 3 year olds!) Playing with Nash on the sidelines and taking more water breaks was WAY more fun than sweating on the field! And, I didn’t care! I was just SO happy that he had tried…and that he’d done so well kicking the ball!




I am so proud of my #5 Wolverine and can’t wait to see him play again next Saturday!

{And, not that we’re keeping score, but we TOTALLY won!!! And, if one of Q’s team mates hadn’t kicked in the ball, we’re PRETTY sure he would have scored his first goal!}

Soccer or Spit bubbles?!

On Saturday, at 1:00, Quinn had his very first soccer game. We’d had two practices, Matt and Q had played at home, we’d talked and talked about the big game, and it was finally time to show off his soccer skills as a Wolverine. When we arrived at the fields, it was exciting. So many games going on. I had a feeling that this was the first of many soccer Saturdays in my BoyMom journey!  When we found our spot, Daddy helped Quinn get on his shin guards and cleats… …and then it was time for a little pre-game warm up! Things were looking good. My soccer star even had time to pose for some pictures…while doing his “W” for Wolverines, of course.  After Daddy tucked in his shirt (a rule), …the Wolverines were ready to go! They were ready to fight. Look at all of those “eye of the tiger” looks we have here… Coach Mike gave a last minute pep talk…and we started to notice our little Wolverine shutting down. Maybe he just needed a drink!? We were hopeful that once the whistle blew, things would start to look up!… Finally, it was time for the game to begin!!! Check out our #5…starting the game… Seconds after the game began, our little Wolverine decided that playing soccer wasn’t really on his agenda. Didn’t the league know that it was his naptime!? (notice the left hand that’s twirling his hair…our #1 naptime cue!) So, since Quinn wasn’t assisting the team much, we decided that maybe he needed to take a little break. He got some lovin’ and pep talks from Slickpaw… …water and pep talks from Momma……and LOTS of encouragement and pep talks from Daddy. (and Uncle Brooks, too!)    But, when it was time for #5 to go back in the game, spit bubbles seemed WAY more fun than soccer!!!…Who CARES that there’s a game going on? And, did you realize how easy it is to tune out the yelling “fans” (a.k.a. FRUSTRATED Mommy) on the sideline that’s telling you to run to the ball!? So, it was time for another break…with NO smiles and NO pep! Just solemn and sad…and HOT! But, after more pep talks (and a little bribe for “ice cream in the wall” after the game), our soccer star ran back on the field!…only for them to call halftime! Shoot!!! … And, after half time, when he went back in, the pizzazz was GONE! Back to spit bubbles and walking on the lines! Mercy. So, it was back out…And back in once more!…Only to be soon pulled out of the game due to the fact that he was NO WHERE near the ball. Coach tried to encourage him, but it was NO use! Our little guy was D-O-N-E!!! And there was NO hope of a change of heart. … And, to be honest, this Soccer Mom was FRUSTRATED! I just wanted him to TRY…not score the winning goal! …  Nothing was going to turn his frown upside down… Not even the “victory” tunnel!…    Oh well! Maybe it was too hot? Maybe soccer just isn’t his thing? He is just THREE!…But, when we talked about it later, he said he wanted to try again and that he wanted to play the next time…and kick the ball! We’ll keep our fingers crossed. …

At least Quinn’s #1 fan was happy!!!…