The Best Losers

AJ just finished his middle school soccer season. His team lost every game. Most games were blowouts. In fact, they only scored 2 goals the entire season and one of them was a penalty kick. AJ told me this was the worst team he has ever played on. I agreed.

He also told me playing with this team was the most fun he has ever had playing soccer. The coach agreed. He said this was the most coachable team he has worked with, they were hard workers that never hung their heads, and a just a great group of kids.

In a moment of "ideal" parenting, I asked AJ, "What is the most important thing in life?" He replied, "Winning." That was not the answer I was looking for but, ok.  I simply told him, if your going to loose anyway, have some fun doing it. That's my parenting advice for the day.

Soccer City

I have heard our new hometown referred to as Soccer City. It is the headquarters to the US Youth Soccer Association and FC Dallas. I have talked to people and when they hear that my kids play soccer and football they reply, "Oh, you'll fit right in here."

Both of my girls wanted to pursue another season of soccer.

They started out by doing a soccer camp at the end of the summer. After settling in and going on our vacation, the only camp left was one at the hottest time of  the year. They held the camp in the evening, which helped, but there were still several nights that week when I dropped them off at 6:00 pm it was still over 100 degrees. They played hard and learned a lot.

We joined the city youth soccer league. There are more competitive leagues in the area but most of them play games on Sunday and that is just something that we are not interested in doing. I view soccer as a way to get exercise, have fun, and learn teamwork. That can be done at any level.

Savanah joined a team that had  been together for several years and had not won a game EVER.
She played hard this season and was tested as the coach played her in several new positions.  They lost or tied every game of the season till they won their very last game and ended the season on a winning streak. She said she wanted to stay on this team because she likes the girls and they are fun to play with. She really doesn't care if they win or not. They played on turf fields in the shadow of FC Dallas' Stadium. Here are a few highlights from her season.

Vanessa's team won most of their games. They are a talented team that challenged her to step up her game and get serious about playing soccer. I have to say that I loved her short hair for soccer. It is so easy when it is windy and the messy look just looked better at the end of the game. Here are some highlights from her season:

The league allows each team to pick their own uniforms and team names. They also allow players to remain with the same coach from year to year. Both the girls were placed on teams that had been together for several years. I was impressed how quickly the other parents learned my girl's name and started cheering for them from the sideline. Both girls had a great season and we all look forward to spring soccer.

Springtime Pastime

Most of you know that this is our springtime pastime

Lots and lots of soccer.

AJ taught himself how to make a mohawk using his sweat to make his hair stand up. Nice.

Savanah loved playing goalie. It gave me a heart attack every time the ball even went on that side of the field.

Vanessa hustled with all the determination she had for about 5 minutes then endured the rest of the game in order to get the treat at the end.

Ethan even got a little goalie action as he and Este played during one of AJ's halftimes.

Este ended his career on the Mountain Crest soccer team. 

I was so sad to watch him walk off the field for the last time. He has played soccer with some of those boys the entire time we lived in Utah. Soccer in the springtime is just part of our family.

I don't know what the springs will be like in Texas. Hopefully more of the same.

Fall Fun

This past fall was spent outdoors and in the car. We had games and practices every night of the week. Aaron and I spent our time driving to and from games, getting kids to practice, and coordinating our efforts. It only lasts a few weeks so we can handle it but I tell you by the end, we are exhausted. It takes a few family dinners afterwards where we sit around the table and reintroduce ourselves to each other. Life is so hectic this time of year but, in many ways it is so worth it to have an active family.

Este played sophomore football this year. He worked really hard his freshman year so the coaches would learn his name. Those coaches transferred to other schools so he was back to square one. He worked hard and had another frustrating start to the season. He finished it not only starting JV but also on the varsity team. His team only had two loses and continued to dominate on the field. He is number 38.

Then there was the freshman team. They were winless this season. While watching them, the crowd cheers for good catches or tackles. I pointed out to Aaron that they always did better the second half. Aaron pointed out that when they are down 30-0 at half time, the other team puts in the second string. This is how  Ethan spent most of the season. He is number 67.

For Ethan, he just enjoyed being part of the team. He looked forward to game day when he could wear his shirt and tie to school.

When he did get out on the field, he did great! It made all the practices, training, and brutal workouts worth it. He had a great season and can't wait to do it all again next year.

Then there was soccer. Lots and lots of soccer. AJ, Savanah, and Este continued to play on their teams.

Vanessa was content to take it easy this fall. She counted down the days to the arrival of her newest cousin, baby Logan. Lauren and Ammon welcomed their first baby and Vanessa was happy as could be.

End of Summer

We spent the last few of days of summer at a soccer tournament for AJ and Savanah. I LOVED sitting out in the sunshine knowing it was all going to come to an end soon. I will take the heat and sunshine any day!

AJ's team did well. It was AJ's first tournament and he was new to the team so it took some time to get his feet on the ground. It is hard to start with a new team at his age but he did great and played his heart out.

Savanah also had a new team and at this age they start playing positions. She loves playing goalie. I have no idea why. I feel great stress when she is the goalie and the ball even gets on that side of the field. She doesn't mind the pressure. She has a lot to learn about the position but it was a good start.

She has a fun team and the girls work hard and play hard. The best part is that they have fun together and often laugh and joke out on the field.

Their hard work paid off in the fact that they won first place and received gold medals.

With both AJ and Savanah playing, it was  a great way to end the summer.

Finally a REAL Soccer Game

Both of my sisters are REAL Salt Lake (Major League Soccer team) season ticket holders. Aaron has taken the boys to several games but, as for me, I had never been to a game. The local soccer league that Aaron helps with gave us tickets for the entire family to go to a game this summer.

It wasn't just any soccer game. Extreme Makeover: Home was filming there. This is the TV crew before the game filming a section of the crowd. Who knew the amount of people that work behind the scene?

They were filming the crowd going wild. The game hadn't started so it was completely staged. When the guy in front raised his hands, they all cheered. When he lowered his hands they were quiet.

It was fun  to be there to watch the camera crews and the stars from the show. Oh yeah, the soccer game was fun too! I was a little surprised by the quietness of the stadium. The crowd was loud but there is no announcer. It was just soccer. What else do you need? 

Kick It!

If I summed up this spring soccer season with one photo, it would be this one....

It was COLD! FREEZING COLD!

In fact, this is how Vanessa dressed for one of her games.

I love this photo of Este playing on a wet field.

It could be worse. I felt bad for #29's poor mother trying to keep his white uniform white.

In spite of the weather, we had a good season. Vanessa was far more interested in the treat after the game  and wiggling her loose tooth out on the field.

 She also enjoyed stopping to pose for the camera every time she ran past me.

I love this "break away" shot of her but, if I remember right, she is headed in the wrong direction. Oh well, it's all fun at this age.

Savanah had another great season. Her team went undeafeated and they all had lots of fun.

AJ learned not to do a header with his face. It is quite painful actually.

Let's just say that his team did not go undeafted. He learned the value of playing hard.

I enjoyed watching the games. Especially the ones that I didn't have to completely bundle up for just so I didn't freeze to death.

Our little friend enjoyed cheering from the side.

Vanessa did not.

More on Este's debut high school soccer season on a seperate post. Stay tuned......