Going for the Gold!

I love watching little kids play soccer! My Li'l Man is in first grade and plays on an all-male soccer team. This is the first year it hasn't been co-ed. Those boys are the cutest things! I love watching how all of their different personalities "come out" on the field. Little Man, for example, smiles the whole time he's out there. He's just having a good time! He's a pretty good player, but mainly he just enjoys it. Last night, he "messed up" and let the other team score. He tripped and the other little fella scored! My little man looked straight at his daddy and grinned. It was like he was saying, "Oops!" One of Li'l Man's friend's from pre-school was playing on the opposing team. When they saw each other - in the middle of the field in the middle of the game - they had a little "catching up" to do. "Hey Jemison. I didn't know we were playing your team." Jemison stops running and they chat for a little while, until Jemison's coach realizes that these two boys are taking a break from the game in the middle of the game.
And I love it when the little guys score and they so some sort of dance like the college football players used to do!
I love it when they figure out a strategy on their own. There are two little guys on Li'l Man's team who figured out that one was an incredibly fast runner and the other was a long -distance kicker. They positioned themselves perfectly every time, and #10 made goal after goal after goal. It was great!
And there's always the little guy who could not care any less about whether they win or lose. In fact, he doesn't even know which goal is his! His parents are usually the ones looking down shaking their heads, wondering what in the world their child is thinking!
And what about the 5 or 6 year old who can shoot and fall down at the same time - on purpose - a professional looking kick!?!? Where did he learn that??
And what about the cute little guy whose parents are dressed in khakis and polos and their little fella scores and starts throwing gang signs?!?! It's hilarious!

And what about the coach who you are SURE is going to drop dead RIGHT THERE because he's so "into" this game of 5 and 6 year olds. I always kind of feel sorry for his wife, wondering to myself is she's there and if she feels embarrassed. Then you realize that his wife is coaching the other half on the field right behind you and she's even worse!

I wish I had some photos to share with you from last night's game, but my camera battery was dead - so maybe next time.

Have a great Wednesday!
Thankin' God today for my soccer-playin' Li'l Man!