Day Twenty-Eight: School Slows Down, Soccer Speeds Up

They can't wait until next week and that's all I need to hear. Sweaty, dirty little bodies slide into the truck and it's non-stop incessant chatter all the way home about this play and that pass, this goal and that kick. When school slows down and we are already closing a few of our books, out come the cleats and shin guards. It's time for this soccer momma to set up her chair and cheer on her kiddos. (Daddy will be there soon too, but praise God, business is bustling for him!)

This year, Oliver is one of the oldest on his team, which helped him score three goals in this first game :)

Oh dear, Emily, that boy is big.. watch out!

What's going to happen?

Yeah, she got it!

A few moments later, she's ready for more.

Cousin Caleigh races to get the ball.

Post-game fun with the team.

Meg's third year of coaching. She has ten little soccer stars.

She coaches with confidence and grace. She was also scheduled to prepare

 and give the first devotions of the year to her division. 

And... dealt with shenanigans like this :)

Mid-game wrestle with second-cousin, Cole.

Taking a break.

The coach :)

A celebratory moment for the hard working players... and Molly, who prefers to cheer with Mommy.

Practice Makes Progress

It's our new philosophy, that practice makes progress. Perfection is impossible to strive for and progress is truly what we desire in each stage of learning, no matter what the skill. And so, my boys took to the field for some soccer skills and drills. 

My husband was a soccer star in highschool and also as he continued in a competitive church league for many years. I used to tell him I could barely see his legs as he ran; he was so fast!  

Our son is getting there... progress is sweet.

He loves to learn and that is his greatest asset.

 a little getaway

giggling when he gets a good kick in there :)

sideliners have fun together

Once in awhile, there's a sideline brawl :)

And this kid... she coaches little tykes... all by herself.

Progress happening everywhere.

Epic Summer--A Journey Through Pictures And Gratitude

Sooooo grateful...

1371. that sometimes pirates masquerade as little boys at soccer games. 

1372. How Spiderman somehow became a hero this year. He's never watched the show but he wants to act like him everyday. (Our church festival)

 

1373. for all the bouncy castles and super-fantastic activities that drew the surrounding neighbourhoods to our church festival.

1374. How Lilly and Meg--friends since birth--helped at the craft table. 

1375. How Joan and her two sisters and so much like my two sisters and me.

1376. for spunky Benjamite :) 

1377. for outdoor movies and lawn chairs, blankets and treats--love it! 

1378. how they all love on Baby Clara 

1379. her quirkiness and how she loves to be different

1380. how tree climbing was the number one sport this summer. 

1381. how these two (Meg and Hannah) remained friends after the closing of their dance studio and helped the kids at the festival. 

1382. that my cool sister and her awesome husband made the hour-long trip. 

1383. for little sisters of bigger sisters who like each other too (Holly and Molly). 

1384. how Spiderman made a guest appearance and Terry got to have his photo taken with him (doesn't my husband look so happy? He's star-struck). 

1385. my dear friend, Bethany and how she gives of herself to others.

1386. that I found this cute little bunny while I wandered around

1387.and how she multiplied quickly :)

1388. for years-long friendships and our journey together through thick and thin.

 

1389. for these two amazing families in our church

 

1390. for our yearly point-and-shoot-each-other moment (hi Kelly!)

1391. for quiet, summer nights of flying his new plane. 

1392. for great times in Mama and Papa's hot tub--heat turned down so it could double as a swimming pool.

1393. how the determination of Papa and the stupidity of me, helped get those 300 lb. walls up around it (after which, one fell on us and I had a lovely bruised shoulder for weeks--gratitude because I truly felt helpful :). 

1394. how they don't care that there's barely any space to move, they just have fun all squashed in there.  

1395. how Papa just sat there and blasted them with cold water while they screamed! 

1396. how they screamed for more! 

1397. the love of sisters (generally after some major arguing). 

 1398. for babies and how they keep finding me :)

 1399. for my crazy sister and her need for thrills.

1400. how she said her biggest concern was that the photographer who took these pics was plummeting to her death as she didn't open her chute for a long time. 

1401. how she got to experience floating over Niagara Falls. 

1402. that she said it was fun but not scary (THIS type of quality does NOT run in the family). 

1403. how my sweet nephew hung his head out of his bedroom window to say goodbye to us the other day.

1404. sunsets and sillohettes 

1405. for scooters that everyone can share 

1406. for pogo-stick jumpers counting in the hundreds

1407. for driveway soccer