I'm a soccer Mom?! How the heck did that happen?

I can't believe it! Jackie is big enough to play soccer! Jackie is on a county indoor soccer team called the Sharks. Jackie wants to go to school soooo bad so I made a deal with her that if she would learn to go potty she could take a class. (Bribing your kid with education- does it get any better than that?). Jackie is now fully potty trained and announces to everyone that she is a big girl and wears Clifford underwear (Once I finally got her to stop showing it to people) and now plays soccer. Jackie was so excited for her first day. She asked about it everyday for about two weeks until the big day came. She has a really good friend, Charlie Marsh, who is on her team with her. The two of them took turns being shy. When one was apprehensive the other was taking charge and visa versa. When we arrive we met her coach and received a yellow and blue reversible soccer jersy to keep. Jackie has wanted to wear it everyday along with her soccer socks and shin gaurds. I remember those days!



Game 1:
Jackie was so excited for her first game...until we got there. She ran around with the team and played for about 5 minutes before she got completely overwhelmed. She was pretty sad her friend Charlie wasn't there. He had been her security blanket. But the poor kid was home with croup. So the coach held her hand and ran with her for a little while until that wasn't even enough. Pappy went out and ran around with her for a little while too until that wasn't good enough either. We tried goalie, but in the end it was all tears and sobs. All she wanted to do was sit in time out until it was time to give everyone the treats she brought in her purse. When it was all over she was so excited and told everyone for days about her awesome soccer game.

Game 2:
Charlie was back and Jackie was excited about it. I had taken Jackie to the community rec center earlier in the week and practiced with her so she would be more comfortable. I'm happy to say it worked...well, at least for a little while. Jackie was geared up ready to go and was running around with the rest of the kids until she realized her buddy Charlie was having trouble. He was in stage 1, the stage we went through last week. It must have brought back HORRIBLEY PAINFUL flashbacks (yes I'm being sarcastic) Because Jackie decided to go into the fetal position on my lap again. Arg. With much persuasion we got her back out there- but only if Jim or Pappy held her hand. It's a good thing I didn't have to pay per player, because I would be scrapping for pennies! At least she still has fun talking about it.

Game 3:
Both kids progressed to the understanding that soccer is fun to play! Matt Marsh and I graduated to being able to stand on the sidelines mid field. The kids felt much better about us being at closer range and made sure they stopped to give us high five EVERY time they ran by. If either one of the actually kicked the ball, they would stop almost mid kick and run to give us 10 high fives with a side of bones and rock-ons. Hey, at least they were enjoying themselves. Jackie even made a goal. Not on purpose, but it still counts!

Game 4:
We are officially professional soccer parents. We have gone through the refiners fire of preparation and are now proud parents of a soccer player would actually plays soccer! When we arrived Jackie threw off her coat and went and joined the other kids in huddle without any pep talk. It was the other teams huddle, but still. She our little spy-in-training. Jackie and Charlie ran all over chasing the ball. They of course stopped for hug breaks now and then and Charlie kept running head first into the nets but all and all it was a very successful game. I'm not sure however if the enjoy the game the best or the treats that follow the game. they got Chips Ahoy cookies this week, which Jackie ate and loved. I think she is beginning to understand what a blessing chocolate really is in this life.