Finally - a Soccer Mom

I am officially a soccer mom! Andrew had his choice between Basketball and Soccer this season and he chose Soccer. Although, he did have a tough time deciding between the two.

This is Andrew's first time involved in an organized sport. He has practices on Wednesdays and games on Saturdays. This picture was taken on his first Wednesday practice (the 17th).

The thing I love about this picture is his enthusiasm! Andrew is usually the shy boy that I have to push away from me to go with teachers, other adults, etc. It amazes me that he is so smiley in this picture for another reason; he was asleep in the car and I had to wake him up when we got to the field. Usually when I wake him up, he is fussy and/or crying and just a pain in my butt. He got a little fussy, but then I told him to grab the Soccer ball and he seemed to snap out of his almost breakdown.

He had no problem going with the other kids and doing what the coach told him in the practice and he didn't have any meltdowns the whole 45 minute practice.

He had an OK first game. He was a little excited about it, but got a little nervous when Jeremy kept asking him if he was ready for his "big game" all morning. Then seeing Grandma and Grandpa at the field, along with Grandpa Danny and Candy, Andrew got his usual timid look on his face like he was thinking, "What have I gotten myself in to?"

However, he did a good job practicing before the game and he was one of the first 4 players out on the field while the other 4 teammates sat out. He did fine running around trying to get the ball, but then collided with a girl from the other team and they bonked heads. The girl kept playing unphased, but Andrew walked off the field crying, holding his head. It took awhile before I could get him to go sit with the other teammates on the side and wait to go back in. He kept wanting to cry and sit on my lap. Jeremy had to give him "the talk." Probably something along the lines of, "Dry it up - you have to be number one, son, and you won't be number one if you leave the field crying." Just kidding. I don't know what was said, but it worked. He went back in and was timid, but eventually started smiling and running after the ball again.

Jeremy told him that if he scores a goal in a game we will take him to Dippin' Dots for a treat (Andrew's favorite place). I wonder if he'll score any points with that incentive. Does that kind of stuff work?

Oh, and Jeremy was happy to learn that the team's name is the Panthers. That was the name of the Soccer team Jeremy played on.

I'll post more pictures soon.