Soccer Boy

Yesterday was Kevin's first day of soccer. They won 2-1. Well, I think they did. They don't officially keep score. The other team would say it was 2-2, but I think their last goal shouldn't have counted. The goal was made while time wasn't "running".

We rushed there because it was picture day and we were instructed to be there no later than 12:55. Well, when we got there, there were all kinds of kids there and in their respective teams. The red team, the green team, the gold team, the navy team, the white team, but no purple team. Hmmmm we wondered. Then a man stopped us and said, "Are you the purple team?" "Yes!" I exclaimed. He told us to wait there and he would check out the other fields to see if he could find more purples. Where we were, I noticed a few other bewildered parents and kids without team shirts so I inquired, "Purple?" "Yup," a few replied. Finally the guy came back with a whole other group of parents and team members with the coach in tow.

Shirts got finally distributed, but of course the pictures were delayed. The team that had the 12:30 slot were still waiting at 1:20. So the Purple Dragons started practice before their pictures, much to the grumbles of Moms that had their kids' hair just so. Just what we want, sweaty kids and sweaty shirts in the sports pictures. Well, all was well as the coach didn't really work them too hard. They learned stops and kicks as the ball came towards them.

Finally it was their turn for pictures. All the kids were so adorable. Kevin had his classic disappearing eyes, I'm trying to hard to smile for the picture smile. But, cute nonetheless.

The game was fun. Imagine 12 4-5 year olds, 6 in gold shirts, 6 in purple shirts, all in a heard running after the same ball. Kicks and pushes to get the ball. There aren't goalies in the division, but the coach put two kids to defend the goal. Kevin was one of the in the second quarter. He took his job very seriously and even stopped a goal. Yippee!!

There were some shining stars on the team. They look like they are a good team with a great mix of kids.

After the game, we went out for ice cream and then to the park. That, as always, was a fun time.

Today at morning hellos in his class, Kevin announced to the class that he started playing soccer today. I asked what the other kids said about that. He said that because he is now playing soccer, the kids are calling him "Soccer Boy." "I think that's a great nick name," Kevin says proudly.