Soccer season

Alley has been enjoying playing soccer in our front yard this summer, so we decided it was time to sign her up. I am not huge on kids playing organized sports at young ages, but she is now in 1st grade, so as long as the sport is really active then I am all for it! Verdict: she is LOVING it! She has 2 practiced a week and gets to run around and play without her sisters…that part is key for her (where is the sibling love??!!)

Alley running the field and dribbling. Go alley!

As a former Collegiate athlete, I have a hard time watching her make mistakes and not correct her. BUT, my goal as a parent here is to encourage her and let her enjoy the game. Must.hold.my.tongue.

of course, thats not to say I can't show her how to dribble (so she learns to keep the ball close to her), teach her how to stop the ball correctly, and how to plant your foot and shoot the ball correctly. All that is to be taught at home, not during her practice when I am not the coach…must.hold.my.tongue.

I also can teach her that it's okay to get the ball away from the other team. When they tell you to stop trying to get the ball, you do NOT say okay and walk away…whose child is she???!!! must.hold.my.tongue.

I can also talk to her about how it's okay to shoot the ball at the goal even when the keeper is not prepared. You do NOT need to wait until the keeper is ready and then ask to shoot. What???!! must.hold.my.tongue. 

Alley absolutely loves begin able to play soccer. She gets up in the morning and puts on her soccer clothes (for a practice that is at 5:30 PM!!) so she will be ready.

I am so happy she has found something she likes…for now;)

Kendall has loved going to Alley's practice too.  One of her really good friends is there too since her brother is on Alley's team. Built in fun:)

Crazy little MC only likes it when daddy is there because he races with her and kicks the ball with her.

MC showing off her skillz ;)

That's some serious concentration!

I am so happy that Alley is loving soccer as much as Andy and I do. I have a feeling we will have many more years hanging out by the soccer fields!