Tuesday, May 20, 2008

futbol

Spring soccer is finally over, which means we are free again! Each February I think soccer sounds like a great activity for my kids. I imagine the following scenario: me, lemonade in one hand, other hand entwined with my loving husband's, watching leisurely from a lawn chair as my offspring receive adequate exercise, build strong team work ethics, and learn a love for organized sports (something I never quite learned for myself). Two months and half a paycheck later I realize, yet again, that I need professional help with my habit of romanticizing everything in my mind before it happens. The reality hits: me, yelling for everyone to please find their shoes and GET IN THE CAR, hauling lawn chairs, soccer equipment, diaper bag, three children and an 83-year-old woman to final destination, trying to keep my sanity in tact while running after Sylas, missing almost entire soccer game in the process, failing to keep everyone warm in 30 degree weather, and still coming home to find everyone sunburned, crying, and complaining. Okay, so that only happened a couple times when Ty had to work (usually we divide and conquer: Ty goes to Mera's games - has to, he's the coach, I take Saylor later to her games), but it was enough to make me question the value of team sports. This year Saylor didn't want to play soccer (which she kindly explained to me AFTER I registered), but would have rather taken gymnastics. She was enthusiastic enough, and did well, but her heart wasn't in it like it was last year. Samera was a complete loss. She had no desire to play. She would rather eat her snack (dutifully provided by weekly parent volunteer) and watch the donkey that lives next door to the soccer field. After her first soccer game I asked her how she liked soccer, to which she replied, "It's Balicious!!" Maybe next year I'll just buy her a box of treats and skip the soccer - she'll be just as happy, and my wallet will be lots thicker! Then again, it's almost time for Fall soccer registration. Just imagine: me, hot chocolate in hand, other hand holding one half of a warm blanket my loving husband is sharing...


Saylor, hot after the ball, which, unfortunately, was headed straight toward my head, thus the "great" shot of her facing my camera lens - duh.















Here are a few of Mera's soccer moments for your viewing pleasure. She was always running OFF the field, as shown. She got kicked in the hand (who knew shin guards wouldn't be enough?) in this picture, and I couldn't resist the photo op - it was the most action my camera saw from her all day. Thank goodness for her hot coach - he was the only thing worth watching (upper left, orange hat). I don't know if you noticed, but if you didn't, check out Samera's shoes in the picture at the beginning of this post. They were the inspiration for that photo.

9 comments:

Jason said...

Love the pictures. Love her little red shoes... pretty stylish for her soccer games:) She can pull quite the sad little face. It made me sad just looking at it. I've been so excited to get Bjorn into some little sport... now you're making me think it might not be such a party:) We'll see.

Rindee said...

Yes. I've learned my lesson. We did soccer with a very similar experiance as yours. So the next year we tried t-ball. Same thing. We even had some trouble with swimming lessons last year when Ian was actually expeccted to do some real swimming.

This summer we are signed up for nothing. My boy is not an athlete, no matter how hard I try. Rayna just finished with ballet, and I don't want to spend the summer sick like we were last year from the swimming pool. So, I'll turn on the sprinklers and make kool-aid popcicles, and they'll be just as happy, and my wallet will be a little thicker because of it :)

Sharlee said...

Once again, your frustrations are my entertainment! Your pictures and my mental pictures were enough to make me laugh out loud, which just made my day. I like Samera's expression in the one with the ball aimed at your head--"Mom...what the...you're SO embarrassing.." And, just in case you didn't notice, in the last picture, it looks like that mom in the white pants has lost a child in the crowd too, so don't feel too bad. You're not the only one.

Marianne said...

Those pictures of Samera are classic! I love her pretty little shoes and her sad little face (I do the same thing- take pictures of my kids when they're sad). Joel had a few days off, so I didn't keep up with my blogging. When I got on I found that you'd been a busy little blogging bee! I loved looking at all your cute pictures, and good for you for trying to be healthy. You've inspired me to try a little harder at that.

Amber said...

I am so glad I have you to be the guinea pig! Note to self: skip soccer. Thanks!

Sharlee said...

I meant SAYLOR'S face, not Samera's! Now I'm sounding like the one who's been hit in the head with a soccer ball one too many times.

Mattie Rae said...

Oh my gosh! You are so funny. I laugh outloud on every blog I read from you. Keep it up so I can start my day on the right foot!

Christy said...

LOL! I love your posts! I seriously laugh out loud as you write your frustrations down...cuz it is exactly what we go through as well. It's like you imgine this perfect picture of what it will be like, with all the please and thank you's, and in reality it's nothing like that!

Priceless Heritage said...

Seriously funny- I am about to embark on my first organized activity with K and you are making me nervous LOL! Mera is so K. I can't wait for them to play together. Way to be a good mom/sport. 30 degree weather- you have to be kidding! I'd be freezing in that weather.