Most of the action at Will's most recent soccer game took place at mid-field, making for an exciting game for the spectators, but not so much for defenders and goalie.

Here Will and Trey (goalie) watch the action with confidence in the fact that there is really nothing for them to do.

I have to say though, that Will's swinging from the goal did make me want to break the rules and admonish him from the sidelines like one of those yelling sorts of moms. I bit my tongue and left it for the coaches. Can't stand those Yelling Moms.

Here is one random shot showing some action, although I think this was at the half, with everyone running toward the coach. The real reason I wanted to post it is to point out the giant silos. I don't remember ever seeing them next to the soccer field before. I swear they are ghost silos!

No soccer this weekend as we break for the holiday. Looking forward to watching the kids continue the winning streak in June.

Saturday Soccer

Finally! A Saturday morning soccer game that was not rainy, snowy, blustery, or frigid.

William #80, runs with the offense

Beautiful sunshine, weather warm enough for no jackets and a calm breeze. The kids enjoyed their game and continued their winning streak. No losses so far this year!

William's throw-in. He played against his best friend Colin's (#45) team today.

I am really enjoying William's coaches this year. They emphasize the fun of playing for the kids, and talk about teamwork at every practice and before every game. The kids all take the team-work talks to heart, too.

Checking in before the game.

There are players on this team who are very good for their age, along with some children who are still a little muddled when they get the ball. The kids who are very good, rather than hog the ball and play their own game, actually pass to kids who might not be able to make the shot necessarily, but they see a team-mate and not an inferior player. No one is ever left out! It is pretty cool to watch.

William, #80, playing defense

And the kids always get a chance to rotate positions during the game. William's favorite position to play is still goalie-and I didn't get a shot of that this week- but second best is defense. He is quite scrappy. With just 3 or so games left this spring we are hoping for continued blue skies and fair weather. Wish us luck!

A Good Day To Kick A Ball Around

It was Will's last day of soccer yesterday...until fall of course. We finally had a worthy morning for sitting on the sidelines...nearly 70 degrees F. by 9:00 AM! The teams were very evenly matched so it made for a really intense and interesting game. Will played goalie and did a bang-up job of it. He really gets in there and throws himself on the ball. He didn't let a single ball into the net. At the end of the game Coach gave out medals to the team and Will is really into that. So cute. He wore his for most of the day.

Soccer

Spring soccer is actually winding down for us now and I haven't even posted a single picture! Probably because the weather has been so stinking cold that I can't hold my camera steady to get a picture. Seriously. Saturday mornings we bundle up in winter coats, hats and gloves and sit under blankets on the sidelines wondering why, why, why we persist to stay in this climate. At least the kids stay warm running around! It is June and I have the heat on. Please.

Will loves soccer for all the movement opportunity it provides him. He is scrappy and slinky on the field. We played an away game this past weekend for the first time and the new field added excitement to the game.

Here William plays goal defense and sizes up an approaching threat.

And just a few moments later...the threat has been neutralized. Nice kick, Will! So sad for you, blue team from Rival City!



Playing forward and scrappin' it out for the ball mid-field. (Will is #80 in white. Middle of the photo)



This photo must have been early in the game because none of the kids ran that hard in the final quarter!

One more game this weekend and then we say good-bye to soccer until the fall. I can't believe the weeks have passed this quickly, and neither can Will. He'll be counting the days until he can play again.

Spring Recital and Last Soccer Match!

We had a beautiful and very busy weekend with Will's last soccer game, lots of work with Nana in the garden, and Ben's spring piano recital and ice cream social. Not to mention lots of great food and a fun day with Dad for Father's Day!

Will had such a wonderful time this season with soccer and is a little sad to be done already. He was glad to know that he didn't have all too long to wait for the fall soccer season to start though. He really found his niche at the end of this year in the position of goalie. He is scrappy- as- all- get- out in that goalie box and didn't let a single ball into the net on his watch! He was awarded an official certificate and gold medal for being "Best Goalie". Way to go William!

William and his team members. William is top row, 3rd from left.

After the soccer game on Saturday morning, we were on our way out to Ben's piano recital. Ben had 11 family members in attendance who all saw the spotlight that shone only on him! I am so proud of Ben for being such a good student. He has worked so hard this past year and seems to really love playing. He has really taken ownership of this piano endeavor. I am completely non-musical so I can take no credit whatsoever for his accomplishments. This is "all Ben".

Joyful Bells and Ode To Joy June 14, 2008

Will In Action

Have I mentioned how much Will enjoys soccer? He is in his element on the field...constant motion is what makes him tick. (That's him in the blue sweats)


Photo credit: Ben

Soccer Season Has (Finally!) Begun

Will is so excited to be playing soccer this spring! He was supposed to have started last week but due to unrelenting rain on Thursday, the first practice was canceled. Then, even more rain on Friday canceled the make-up practice. Then, um, snow on Saturday knocked out the make-up, make-up practice and also obliterated the first game. Snow. Can you believe it? So here we are a week later...finally! A chance to kick the ball around!