Julia sat the sidelines again. That's an $80 lesson learned. At least she posed nicely for her team photo (after being coerced). Carolyn is playing her little heart out, which is so fun to watch. She gets distracted when she stops to scan the sidelines for our approving applause, but I'm cool with that. I'm so proud of my little munchkin getting "all growed up" as J would say.

When we arrived it was sunny and windy and glorious. Winter, at long last, had been defeated - now on to the next victory... or not. Though they don't keep score in this very recreational league, it became abundantly clear in the first five minutes that our team of mosty 3 to 5 year olds was being stomped by the 5 and 6 year olds they were up against.
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Carolyn started as keeper (look at me with the soccer terms, pretty soon I'll get a mini-van and perm and you can officially dub me "Soccer Mom"). She did outstanding, blocking several attempts on goal, looking very serious and seriously adorable at the same time.
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In the remainder of the quarters she was out on the field, usually giving it her all... so long as she wasn't distracted by the sidelines, a butterfly, or chatting with a fellow-player. She has speed on her side - she can even keep up with the big boys and she fearlessly got in the middle of several battles for the ball. A couple of times she got away with the ball and headed for the goal, dribbling well and attempting a shot (kind of, I mean she's five, so this is all a bit inflated...let's be real). But overall I was totally impressed and proud of my petite soccer star.
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Which leads to our little Number One (who is actually our number two by birth but quite proud of the back of her shirt...and don't you forget it), who stood frozen at center field for a good three to four minutes as the team rushed back and forth past her.
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That is, until the pressure was too great and I went to the sidelines to ask "Julia, what's wrong - go get the ball!" Which caused hysterical sobbing and running from the field to the bleachers into my arms for a good two solid quarters. When we finally got her to explain why she was so upset we heard "Cause I don't know anybody." Fair enough.
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By the fourth quarter she agreed to kick the ball with Grandpa, and they worked on dribbling a bit before she hurried over for the team snack and shaking of hands with a bunch of strangers.

What a difference a year makes! Carolyn was much more focused this year... and Julia gave up after about four minutes in the wind and itchy grass.

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Though it should be noted that Julia was extremely enthusiastic when the love of her life happened to be signed up for the same team! His mom approached me to ask "Does Julia happen to go to preschool with my son?" When I said she did she replied "Oh my, we hear about Julia all the time, he tells us she's his best friend in preschool!" I said "Well, Julia says she's going to marry him, so I'm glad to hear he's committed as well."

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It will be a fun season I'm sure.

{and I'm beat!, see more here}

What!?! No pictures of the game - well really there wasn't much to see. My girly is getting a bit warn out, and has taken to chasing the bigger children around at a safe distance to avoid elbows and sharp kicks. We aren't giving up on her, because she's got amazing spirit, but another year (and hopefully several more inches) will do her well. The highlight for her at this point is the spectators. And this game in particular packed a spectator punch, three grandpas, two grandmas, two parents, one sister and two very good friends (that makes 10!) At the only point in the game in which fate brought the ball right before her little size 8 cleat she was so overwhelmed with excitement she stopped to look up at the crowd and give a thumbs up before she went to kick that ball that had long since moved on to a quicker, less crowd-friendly player. It kept us entertained, so we were happy. Grandpa even got to participate in the parent 'tunnel' at the end which seemed to amuse him and her.

I am feeling very tired as I post this, so forgive me if I nod off, or slur my words a bit...

Today was Carolyn's second and third games (a double-header, this is intense)

I think I prefer the fountain on top look to the two ponytails on either side, that is completely unrelated to soccer, however for a girl like Carolyn it's important. And doesn't she just look beautiful in this picture, I may be tired but I can still be judicious. (Look at me and the over-sized late-night words, and I had to squint while I confirmed the meaning through google because I just rubbed my eyes with hands that just cut onion...ouch)

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By the second half of her second game her Grandpa Jim challenged her to kick the ball five times (she played two entire games with no subs, she was getting a bit tired). Here she is running down the field holding up three fingers for her Grandpa to be sure he was keeping count.
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I saw this picture tonight on my screen and almost fell out of my chair - if there was ever a moment when this girl looked like her father it is this. Wow she is a little Brandon! Yikes I don't know what it is but I am sitting here staring ... still staring...and we're moving on.
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the end.

Sorry people, this is one double-header, Easter-preparer, very tired Mommy.