Gavin's First Soccer Team

Last week Gavin had his first game with his first soccer team, the Iron Birds.  He's obsessed with the gear, shin guards, cleats, wants to sleep in the uniform, etc.  DURING the game, he has a solid 10 feet radius kept from the ball.  Occasionally the ball is kicked his way.  Here how that looked...

Right before the game, a brother who shall remain unnamed, kicked the ball right into Gavin's face at warm up.  My snot soaked sleeves peeled him off my leg onto the field before the game. 

 I'm proud he got and stayed in there, bracing or not!  

Ethan's New Soccer Team- The Bulldogs!

It took three seasons to get off the waiting list.  

Ethan finally got a spot on a neighborhood soccer team, the Bulldogs! 

He lucked out with a great group of friends, as did I!  

This week was Ethan's turn to try his hand at being a goalie, a first!

Here's some warm up shots:

Then the pressure was on, game time!  

For a boy who can sometimes get distracted ;), he was focused on the ball the whole time he manned the net.  He had a bunch of saves!

He was particularly proud of this in air catch.

Jumping for joy at a team goal, of which there were many!

Team celebration of our first win, go Bulldogs!

But I want to be PLAYER GAVIN!

Chris' mini me

Down to the Cowboys hat.

Gavin's Prayer

After being a spectator at another one of his brother's games, Gavin told me his wish as he fell asleep tonight.

"Mommy? I want God to give me my own soccer team. We won't be the Sharks. We'll be called the W's [his favorite letter]. And I'll be a really really good soccer stud."

Here he is pictured warming up with Ethan's basketball team. My hands were to full trying to keep him off the court during the game for more pictures.

Side note: he's pictured wearing 3 capes, a superman t-shirt with a cape, a superman sweatshirt with a cape, and a superman cape on top. Of course he's also wearing superman underwear and his superman light up shoes. He's sleeping in the superman shirt right now. Thank God there's swim class tomorrow to motivate him to take it off.

Sad Saga of the Second Born Son

I shared Ethan's story of his first soccer game. But Gavin has his own side of the story.

Between the two, baby bro definitely has the most love for the game! He's worn that whistle for 3 weeks straight, calling himself "coach"!

He came to the field ready to play!

He joined the huddle.

As if to say, "Put me in coach, I'm ready."

As the game wasn't going so well, he kept yelling, "Ball! In! Goal!"

Finally, at half time, we let him have his turn to put the "Ball! In! Goal!"

"I make these cleats look good!"

But then the game had to resume, and Gavin has to get off the field.

Uh oh.

Luckily Uncle D was there to distract him from his tears with a game of their own!

 

 

 

Only two more years buddy.

Ethan's First Soccer Game...and my initiation into soccer momhood

Ethan and Chris had their first soccer game as the dynamic duo of player and coach!

Scary Sharks!

Smiley Sharks!

Pregame huddle

Love this pic.

Ethan's feet made contact with the ball sometimes, even usually in the right direction.

Sometimes he thought Scary Shark was how Soccer Sharks play?

Other times I think Ethan forgot there was a ball?

Then suddenly remembered again!

Then ran off the field to show me amazing mulch!

And took some mean water breaks!

(I love how his hair looks in the sun, admiring it made me forget about the ball too ;)

Refreshed he charged back out there!

Until the next time he found a perfect blade of grass.

At one point I heard Coach Chris yell, "Yes! Cool leaf Ethan! Now play soccer?!"

In their post game huddle, Ethan wrapped his arms around his Daddy.

One of the other boys saw, and then put his hand on Coach Chris's shoulder too!! I LOVE four year old boys!

"Sharks! Sharks! Sharks!"

One of the kids asked, "Who won?" (the other team did but they don't officially keep score this age group)

My ultra competitive husband answered, "We all did."

Afterwards, no better way to celebrate than some cold treats!

 

To see them in action, here's some videos of practice.

(Go to www.livingingear.blogspot.com if you don't see them)

 

 

View videos, photos, and more on our family blog:www.livingingear.blogspot.com