Soccer 2011

It's always a bittersweet time when the fall soccer season comes to an end. We thoroughly enjoy watching our kids play, going to all the games and cheering them on. On the other hand, after two long months of weeknight practices, hurried dinners, later bath times and bed times, and driving all over the county to attend multiple games on Saturdays, we do let out a huge sigh of relief when November rolls around.
Savannah had another outstanding soccer season! Her ball handling skills keep improving and even her power kick is starting to "kick" in. She finished the season off with just under 10 goals, some even scored with her left foot. I was one of her coaches again this season and we had a great time as the Powerful Purple Panthers!

Look at #8 go towards the goal!


At the team party each of the girls received a participation medal along with a recognition award - Savannah earned "The Ball Handler" award.

Coach Clarence with the girls. Coach Tracie is of course behind the camera.

Savannah wasn't the only one with a great season. Xander is improving as a soccer player as well and I was so impressed with his aggressive yet clean playing. Both his coaches told me he was the best player on the team and Xander even had his own personal fan at one of the games. A grandfather there to cheer on his grandson who was on Xander's team recognized Xander's skill and started shouting, "Get the ball to #11!" (Xander's number) "Look at number 11 go!" "Great job, number 11!" "I can't wait to see number 11 score. Go number 11!" It was hilarious but also very heartwarming to see my son cheered on by a complete stranger. Eventually he picked up on the fact that David and I were his parents and he started telling us how fun it was to watch Xander play. And he's right - David and I loved it!


With a $1 given for every goal scored Xander had a huge incentive to score some goals...and he did. He reached his goal of 8 goals for the year with a few extra scored for good measure!


And then there's Noah. Looking at this picture you might think that Noah was as mighty a soccer player as his siblings.

You would be wrong. The above picture shows a little boy in a green jersey with complete possession of the soccer ball while my cute little Noah ran along side him and then watched this little boy score a goal.
The picture below is probably the only picture I have of Noah kicking the ball. Actually, it's the only picture I have of Noah even showing any interest in the ball.

Noah's short lived soccer season consisted of wandering around on the field, watching other kids dribble the ball and score.


Oh, the ball is right in front of me? Should I go after it and see if I can get it?
Nahhh, I'll let the other team go score another goal while I look on.

David and I are adamant about our kids following through on their commitments. If they sign up to do a sport and find out mid-season that they don't like it, too bad. You made a commitment to the team and you're going to finish out the season. After that we just don't sign them up again. Noah was extremely excited to start playing soccer but that quickly evaporated after the first 2 practices. From then on it was meltdown city before every practice and game. Finally David and I decided it just wasn't worth it and informed his coach that he would not be playing anymore. The whole sense of commitment to a team was falling on the deaf ears of our four year old. Oh, well, we'll try again in a few years, if Noah decides he wants to give it another try.