Micah's First Soccer Game

After months of waiting (the season was delayed about a month due to all the snow we had this winter), Micah finally had his first soccer game today. He was ready! Nearly every day we have been talking about soccer, including a countdown of how many more days until the first game and what the game would be like (Daddy told him he couldn't cry if another kid steals the ball from him; Mommy told him if another kid steals the ball from him, he should steal it back!). Several times a week, Micah would don his soccer uniform and we would play a mock game in the living room. Although Henry doesn't usually play with us, he really likes the soccer cleats (which he wore all morning before the game today) and the noise the make on the tile. 

There are seven kids on Micah's team (2 weren't there today) - 5 boys and 2 girls. One of the girls is cousin Calla. And the coach is Aunt Heather!

After getting their team photo, the kids spent the first 30 min in a "practice" trying to learn a few skills. Then they played against another team for 30 min. 

 It's a good thing soccer is a team sport! Calla didn't want to leave the bench the first half but once Grandma & Heather got her in there (snacks are always a good motivator), she had fun. Micah had a lot of energy at the start but was ready to take his turn sitting out towards the end (guess Coach Daddy needs to work on endurance with him!). With two missing players today, there were times when we were wondering if they would be able to get the required three players out on the field!

Mommy took seriously her new role as "soccer mom" - which isn't as easy as it sounds. She found this out when Coach Heather was with the team on the field, assistant coach Daddy was in the port-a-potty with Micah, Calla was crying on the sideline, cousin Albert just wanted to be held, and Henry tried to escape to the parking lot... but then reinforcements showed up - the Azzopardi sisters and Grandma and Poppa. Whew!

The crowd definitely got their money's worth this morning. We laughed quite a bit as these three-year olds had their first experience. There's certainly lots they can learn this season.

It's nice that there were several adults on the field at all tines - encouraging the kids (and giving them much-needed direction!). There are no goalies in this league - but they aren't really necessary. Sometimes even on a breakaway, the players struggled to put the ball into the goal. One little boy fell down every time he saw any other player fall. And there was always the challenge of remembering which direction to kick the ball!

Daddy has done a good job of working with Micah in the living room, doing some drills to teach some basic skills. But at the end of the game we realized there was one aspect Micah had no clue about - when the two teams shake hands at the end of the game. This traditional sporting action was hardly recognizable - and Micah was definitely confused!

All in all, it was quite an entertaining morning and will surely be a fun season. Go Eels!