Spring Soccer

Claire and David both played soccer this year.  David played up in U6.  He did fine.  I think he would have been bored in the younger league another season.  Claire is still playing U8.

 

It was a cold spring, which is surprising since we had such a mild winter.  We wore long-sleeve tees under our soccer jerseys almost every single week.  I even took a blanket one week!

 

Some pictures of David one Saturday.  He was kind of hit or miss as to whether he was really into a game or not.  Sometimes, he preferred to play with the scenery.

 

 

Most of the little boys from Claire's awesome fall soccer team played baseball this spring so we had a whole new team with the exception of her buddy Griffin.  This is her team at practice one night. (I get better pictures at a late afternoon practice than I do at an early morning game.)

 

 

 

Here David in action again.

 

 

David missed his last game because he was running a fever ... and it was 38 degrees that morning.

 

Here is Claire's team photo that Will took on his phone.  (I stayed home with David.)

 

 

Claire and her friend Griffin.

 

Claire: Soccer Superstar!

Claire played soccer again this year.  She had the same coach as the fall, but only one returning teammate (Coach Ryan's daughter).  I don't think this league keeps teams together unless parents request it.

Receiving instructions from Coach Ryan at their first game.  It was a little chilly that second week of March!

Claire was one of the stronger (and more aggressive) players on her team and scored several times in each game this season.  We've come a long way from crying every day during soccer camp circa Summer of 2009. 

(One of my favorite pictures from the season ... playing around on my camera in manual.)

Last game of the season.  It was cold and rainy that day.

Team photo.  We were missing a couple of people who were probably smart to stay inside in this weather.  (Luke got a bad cold and ear infection after he sat outside during this game.) 

One of our favorite soccer traditions is Kids' Night at Chick-Fil-A on Tuesday night after practice.  On this particular night, the Cow mascot was there having a pajama party.

And handing out stuffed cows, who ate breakfast with us the next morning (and still sleeps with David at night).

Claire's biggest fan getting comfy in his stroller during practice one day.

End of practice "wrap-up" with the entire league.

Last practice (which was actually after the last game due to a rain-out practice the previous week).

Time for practice patches.  (Kids get patches after each practice as motivation to attend and participate in practice and instead of a trophy at the end of the season.)  Claire loves the patches and makes me add them to her jersey sleeve immediately after we get home. 

What a great way to end the season.