As I mentioned before we had all sorts of soccer going on this past weekend. Both Max and Rebecca had soccer tournaments, his in Stafford, Va and hers in Virginia Beach. Obviously one parent couldn't do both, so Larry took Rebecca and I took Max.
It was a good weekend for soccer with the seemly weekly wintery mix of doom holding off until Sunday night. It was relatively warm on Saturday and I got this great shot of Max moving the ball down the line. It was taken during the first game that they lost 5 -2, however the team's play was much better than the score showed. In the second game of the day they completely shut out their opponents at 5 - 0!
Sunday was grey and cold with the parents all huddled on the sidelines. I
was a little less inclined for photography and the best I got was the
team banding together before the game. The cold didn't seem to bother them and the coach urged them on by telling them they still had a chance for the playoffs. They played hard and won again, this time 3 - 2. Unfortunately by the way the tournament was scored, they just missed qualifying for the play-offs. However, this was by far the team's best showing. This seasons looks to be quite promising.
Showing posts with label soccer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label soccer. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Twilight Over Soccer Fields
Today Rebecca had what should be her penultimate winter training session, but considering the impending winter weather of doom it is unlikely that tomorrow's practice will be held. The whole winter training has been hit or miss. Between snow storms and subzero wind chills the club has cancelled roughly half of the sessions. This has been far from surprising since the training is done outdoors and it is winter.
Tonight wasn't too bad, but the girls were chilled to the bone. They appreciated the toasty van when practice was over. I asked about tomorrow and the girls said that the coaches told them to dress warmly. I guess the club is going to wait and see how it all pans out. Meanwhile I did my shopping first thing this morning and I refuse to set foot in a grocery store until Friday.
Tonight wasn't too bad, but the girls were chilled to the bone. They appreciated the toasty van when practice was over. I asked about tomorrow and the girls said that the coaches told them to dress warmly. I guess the club is going to wait and see how it all pans out. Meanwhile I did my shopping first thing this morning and I refuse to set foot in a grocery store until Friday.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Artist of the Week: Best Team Ever
This past weekend I was in Virginia Beach with Rebecca for her last soccer tournament of the season. It was miserable weather, cold and rainy with the threat of an ice storm for the ride home. Not exactly beach weather and just barely soccer weather.
The first game was brutal. It was at 8:00 am with a cold, driving rain and the temperature at about 38 F. The fields were soaked, puddles and squelchy turf being the order of the day. Our team was on one of the better, if not the best, fields. The one next to us quickly turned into a vast mud pit. I was grateful for my duck boots and having the foresight to bring our boot dryer for Rebecca's cleats. The game was a struggle with the other team dominating us and ultimately beating us 2 to 8.
We came back in the afternoon to no more rain and the temps hovering at about 40. So it was marginally better, if you ignore the stiff wind. The girls played very well. Unfortunately the game ended in a tie. So the girls were cold, wet, tired, and happy for the good effort they put in the the second game. While at dinner we discussed the change in format for the next day. With the threat of an icestorm to the west the tournament organizers decided to speed things up so that people could go home and beat the storm. The remaing games would be penalty kick shootouts.
Sunday dawned grey and very wet. The temperature hadn't changed much and it was still raining. The team warmed up on the field as we waited for the shootout to begin. We have an excellent goalie on the team giving us a bit of hope for a win. Sadly it didn't happen and we lost 3 to 1. Our goalie was devastated, tears running down her face, she felt that she had let the team down,
Then something wonderful to watch happened. Unprompted, the girls started to give the goalie hugs. Soon it was one huge group hug. Tears were soon dried when the goalie realized that nobody blamed her for the loss. What a terrific bunch of girls. They want to win, but they also care about each other. This is the best team ever.
The first game was brutal. It was at 8:00 am with a cold, driving rain and the temperature at about 38 F. The fields were soaked, puddles and squelchy turf being the order of the day. Our team was on one of the better, if not the best, fields. The one next to us quickly turned into a vast mud pit. I was grateful for my duck boots and having the foresight to bring our boot dryer for Rebecca's cleats. The game was a struggle with the other team dominating us and ultimately beating us 2 to 8.
We came back in the afternoon to no more rain and the temps hovering at about 40. So it was marginally better, if you ignore the stiff wind. The girls played very well. Unfortunately the game ended in a tie. So the girls were cold, wet, tired, and happy for the good effort they put in the the second game. While at dinner we discussed the change in format for the next day. With the threat of an icestorm to the west the tournament organizers decided to speed things up so that people could go home and beat the storm. The remaing games would be penalty kick shootouts.
Sunday dawned grey and very wet. The temperature hadn't changed much and it was still raining. The team warmed up on the field as we waited for the shootout to begin. We have an excellent goalie on the team giving us a bit of hope for a win. Sadly it didn't happen and we lost 3 to 1. Our goalie was devastated, tears running down her face, she felt that she had let the team down,
Then something wonderful to watch happened. Unprompted, the girls started to give the goalie hugs. Soon it was one huge group hug. Tears were soon dried when the goalie realized that nobody blamed her for the loss. What a terrific bunch of girls. They want to win, but they also care about each other. This is the best team ever.
Thursday, October 03, 2013
Long Shadows
At soccer practice the shadows are getting longer and longer. In the not so distant future it'll be dark during practice and we will have the annual mad scramble for a lighted field.
Currently all of Max's regular practices are held in the back field that is not lit. Meanwhile two thirds of Rebecca's practice times are at the big, fully lit artificial turf complex that I like to call fake grassland. Max's practices will clearly have to be moved. The season is drawing to a close, but they will still need field time. As for Rebecca's team, they might curtail or eliminate the third session. It'll be interesting to see how it all works out.
Currently all of Max's regular practices are held in the back field that is not lit. Meanwhile two thirds of Rebecca's practice times are at the big, fully lit artificial turf complex that I like to call fake grassland. Max's practices will clearly have to be moved. The season is drawing to a close, but they will still need field time. As for Rebecca's team, they might curtail or eliminate the third session. It'll be interesting to see how it all works out.
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
Artist of the Week: Soccer Tourney
This week's artist, or rather artists are Max and Rebecca.
I took this picture of them at the county fair. It was far less than ideal weather, what with the periodic downpours', and yet that made it all the better. There were no lines and for once it didn't feel like we were on the surface of the sun. They both had a wonderful time and were even willing to go on the rides together.
This past weekend they also spent some time together. Both of their soccer teams were entered in a tournament over in Williamsburg. We headed over on Saturday and were on the soccer pitch bright and early for their first games. Rebecca's team had another game shortly after and in the short time between their second games , I scooted over to the hotel we were staying at to check in. When we came back after Max's game we relaxed in the hotel. Rebecca hung out with her teammates and Max spent time with his teammate that was staying with us (he's a great kid and is Max's best friend. His mom was stretched mighty thin last weekend and I offered to take him in. At this point in the tourney both teams had one loss and one win. putting Max's team second place in its bracket.
On Sunday Rebecca had two scheduled games (for the girl's team it was round-robin affair) while Max's team had made it to the semi-finals, if the boys' win, then they would play in the finals. Unfortunately it was not to be and they lost. However it was not too shabby for a team that up until Saturday had yet to of played a game together. As for Rebecca's team, they hung in there and played some very tough competition to a tie and lost to the team that completely dominated the game. Both Max and Rebecca conked out in the car during the ride back home. It was an exhausting weekend.
I took this picture of them at the county fair. It was far less than ideal weather, what with the periodic downpours', and yet that made it all the better. There were no lines and for once it didn't feel like we were on the surface of the sun. They both had a wonderful time and were even willing to go on the rides together.
This past weekend they also spent some time together. Both of their soccer teams were entered in a tournament over in Williamsburg. We headed over on Saturday and were on the soccer pitch bright and early for their first games. Rebecca's team had another game shortly after and in the short time between their second games , I scooted over to the hotel we were staying at to check in. When we came back after Max's game we relaxed in the hotel. Rebecca hung out with her teammates and Max spent time with his teammate that was staying with us (he's a great kid and is Max's best friend. His mom was stretched mighty thin last weekend and I offered to take him in. At this point in the tourney both teams had one loss and one win. putting Max's team second place in its bracket.
On Sunday Rebecca had two scheduled games (for the girl's team it was round-robin affair) while Max's team had made it to the semi-finals, if the boys' win, then they would play in the finals. Unfortunately it was not to be and they lost. However it was not too shabby for a team that up until Saturday had yet to of played a game together. As for Rebecca's team, they hung in there and played some very tough competition to a tie and lost to the team that completely dominated the game. Both Max and Rebecca conked out in the car during the ride back home. It was an exhausting weekend.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Of Towels and Tournaments
Big doings this weekend. Saturday was both Towel day and the start of the soccer tourney that Rebecca's team was entered and Sunday was the conclusion of said tourney.
Now Towel Day is the celebration of Douglas Adams and his works and what better way to mark it than a reference to the Hitchhikers Guide to theGalaxy. To whit:
Now as far as soccer was concerned, it was a lovely weekend. Tempertures were low and it was not raining.The girls started with a bang and handily won their first game on Saturday. The second one far closer and we lost by two goals. However, this was good enough to secure a berth in the semi-finals as a second seed.
Sunday dawned clear and bright and the girls were keen to go. They were playing a team we had lost to twice during the regular season, the first time our team was crushed and the second time (a mere two weeks ago) I think we lost by just one goal. Our team had come a long way since last fall and wee ready to take the other team on.
It was an incredible game to watch as the two teams really picked up their level of play. They battled back and forth with both teams pulling out all the stops. The final score was 0 - 0, but it was far from boring. At the end of the game the players on the pitch were called to the center by the referee. He set them up for a penalty shootout to determine which team would go on to the finals. It was a real nail-biter and we ended up missing by one. Our girls were sad, but not crushed. They knew they had done an outstanding job.
Now Towel Day is the celebration of Douglas Adams and his works and what better way to mark it than a reference to the Hitchhikers Guide to theGalaxy. To whit:
As you can see both Dell and John are in the proper Towel Day spirit and have their towels at hand, or rather paw.Towel Day: A Tribute to Douglas Adams
Monday 14 May 2001 06:00am PDT
Douglas Adams will be missed by his fans worldwide. So that all his fans everywhere can pay tribute to this genius, I propose that two weeks after his passing (25 May 2001) be marked as "Towel Day". All Douglas Adams fans are encouraged to carry a towel with them for the day.
So long Douglas, and thanks for all the fish!
— D Clyde Williamson, 2001-05-14
Now as far as soccer was concerned, it was a lovely weekend. Tempertures were low and it was not raining.The girls started with a bang and handily won their first game on Saturday. The second one far closer and we lost by two goals. However, this was good enough to secure a berth in the semi-finals as a second seed.
Sunday dawned clear and bright and the girls were keen to go. They were playing a team we had lost to twice during the regular season, the first time our team was crushed and the second time (a mere two weeks ago) I think we lost by just one goal. Our team had come a long way since last fall and wee ready to take the other team on.
It was an incredible game to watch as the two teams really picked up their level of play. They battled back and forth with both teams pulling out all the stops. The final score was 0 - 0, but it was far from boring. At the end of the game the players on the pitch were called to the center by the referee. He set them up for a penalty shootout to determine which team would go on to the finals. It was a real nail-biter and we ended up missing by one. Our girls were sad, but not crushed. They knew they had done an outstanding job.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Silly Girls
 |
| Sky Blue Silliness |
Rebecca's team, Sky Blue, had their party a few hours after their last game. It was just enough time to get cleaned up and head on over to Extreme Laser Tag. The girls got to play a couple of rounds of laser tag, eat cupcakes and pizza, and have a good time goofing off with each other.
We got a few more traditional team type pictures, but this one, when they were told to be silly, is by far the best. The two grown-ups in the back were the coaches, a husband and wife duo, and they look a bit amused by the silliness that surrounds them. It was a lovely party.
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Soccer
It was a gorgeous day, temperatures in the low 70s and a brisk breeze. A good day to air out the house and play soccer.
Rebecca had one of her rare Sunday games. The girls did a great job, far better than the tie scored shows. Between endless rain flooding the fields and an intervening spring break, they hadn't practiced for weeks. Heck even their previous game was cancelled. They did look a bit slow, but few weeks of our normal training schedule should whip them into shape.
I have been enjoying our leisurely spring break. but it will be nice to get back into our regular routines.
Rebecca had one of her rare Sunday games. The girls did a great job, far better than the tie scored shows. Between endless rain flooding the fields and an intervening spring break, they hadn't practiced for weeks. Heck even their previous game was cancelled. They did look a bit slow, but few weeks of our normal training schedule should whip them into shape.
I have been enjoying our leisurely spring break. but it will be nice to get back into our regular routines.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Project MCP: Teaching
The second September challenge is teach/teaching and really isn't coaching a type of teaching?
I snagged this photo with my cell last weekend. The team had just finished warming up and were in a pre-game huddle with their coach. They were being given finial instructions on how to play with, I'm sure, field positioning.
This certainly isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about teaching, but I think it works. I am still amazed with some of the images my smartphone can take. It is far from the best piece of equipment, yet with a good eye and careful positioning I can get some surprisingly good images. This one is literally straight out of the phone, all I did was rename it and uploaded onto my computer and then to Flickr.
I snagged this photo with my cell last weekend. The team had just finished warming up and were in a pre-game huddle with their coach. They were being given finial instructions on how to play with, I'm sure, field positioning.
This certainly isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about teaching, but I think it works. I am still amazed with some of the images my smartphone can take. It is far from the best piece of equipment, yet with a good eye and careful positioning I can get some surprisingly good images. This one is literally straight out of the phone, all I did was rename it and uploaded onto my computer and then to Flickr.
Sunday, September 02, 2012
On the Go
Rebecca had her first soccer tournament this weekend and it was a bit of a mixed bag. Her team, won, tied, and lost. I know a few parents were dreading the ride home, their daughters were taking the final loss very hard. But Rebecca had a good time and was happy with how she played.
She would have been even happier if they had won and was a bit sad as she left the field. I knew it was best to give her space and wait for the car's air conditioning do its magic. 15 minutes she was feeling better and looking forward to being back home. That is the one thing I have learned about Rebecca if she is overheated or hungry- don't try to talk to her, just manage the situation until her needs are met.
She would have been even happier if they had won and was a bit sad as she left the field. I knew it was best to give her space and wait for the car's air conditioning do its magic. 15 minutes she was feeling better and looking forward to being back home. That is the one thing I have learned about Rebecca if she is overheated or hungry- don't try to talk to her, just manage the situation until her needs are met.
Thursday, August 09, 2012
Parenting On The Fly
Today was spent in the car, driving around and waiting. Mostly for Rebecca, but also for Jake, Nate, and the pantry.
At one point I had just dropped off Jake and was driving Rebecca to her indoor soccer game, and being indoor is very important here. As I was tooling along the highway it hit me, Rebecca had left her gear in the van from this mornings soccer camp at the field. She knew she had a game later and thought it made sense to leave it all in the car. I agreed after we fished out her water jug.
So yes Rebecca had her socks, shin-guards, and cleats on which would be fine and dandy for a rousing game of soccer. But...
She was to be playing indoors on artificial turf.
At a facility that had written in Four inch high letters on the doors "NO CLEATS."
Oops, we had forgotten her indoor soccer shoes and it was too late to go back and fetch them. The only other pairs of spare footwear in the car wee my Tevas and Max's rather battered sandals. To save the day we pulled into a shoe store that was conveniently on the way and got Rebecca a new pair of sneakers. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea until I told her that Nate wore his sneakers to his indoor lacrosse games. Molified she wore her new shoes and didn't look back.
Good thing I hadn't yet done the back to school shoe shopping.
At one point I had just dropped off Jake and was driving Rebecca to her indoor soccer game, and being indoor is very important here. As I was tooling along the highway it hit me, Rebecca had left her gear in the van from this mornings soccer camp at the field. She knew she had a game later and thought it made sense to leave it all in the car. I agreed after we fished out her water jug.
So yes Rebecca had her socks, shin-guards, and cleats on which would be fine and dandy for a rousing game of soccer. But...
She was to be playing indoors on artificial turf.
At a facility that had written in Four inch high letters on the doors "NO CLEATS."
Oops, we had forgotten her indoor soccer shoes and it was too late to go back and fetch them. The only other pairs of spare footwear in the car wee my Tevas and Max's rather battered sandals. To save the day we pulled into a shoe store that was conveniently on the way and got Rebecca a new pair of sneakers. She wasn't sure if this was a good idea until I told her that Nate wore his sneakers to his indoor lacrosse games. Molified she wore her new shoes and didn't look back.
Good thing I hadn't yet done the back to school shoe shopping.
Friday, August 03, 2012
Soccer Mom
So last weekend I was a lax mom, this week I was a soccer mom.
Max and Jacob were enrolled in a soccer camp, British Challenger to be precise. Of course since they are the oldest and youngest boys in the family they were in separate sections, Max in the morning and Jake in the evening. It's a great program and the site is just 25 minutes away so it really wasn't a hardship. It just meant I was essentially a full time soccer mom this week.
This picture was from today, the last day of camp. The assignment given out on Thursady was to bring in a flag of the county your team is representing (the camp's theme is world cup and the camper are divided up with each tea being a country ).
Clearly Brazil won the biggest flag category, but Max and one of his teammates won for most creative.
Which brings us to the dogs in the photo. Independently two families in team Israel decided to decorate their dogs. Thus the two king Charles Spaniels and Dell are in the picture. The coaches were utterly amazed and could not get over what we had done to our dogs.
So yes, it has all gone to the dogs.
Max and Jacob were enrolled in a soccer camp, British Challenger to be precise. Of course since they are the oldest and youngest boys in the family they were in separate sections, Max in the morning and Jake in the evening. It's a great program and the site is just 25 minutes away so it really wasn't a hardship. It just meant I was essentially a full time soccer mom this week.
This picture was from today, the last day of camp. The assignment given out on Thursady was to bring in a flag of the county your team is representing (the camp's theme is world cup and the camper are divided up with each tea being a country ).
Clearly Brazil won the biggest flag category, but Max and one of his teammates won for most creative.
Which brings us to the dogs in the photo. Independently two families in team Israel decided to decorate their dogs. Thus the two king Charles Spaniels and Dell are in the picture. The coaches were utterly amazed and could not get over what we had done to our dogs.
So yes, it has all gone to the dogs.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Artist of the Week: Soccer Camp
This week's artist is Jacob for his performance at soccer camp.
The one thing Jacob truly misses is soccer. His schedule is full, dare I say overflowing, with all his commitments in marking band, pep band, show choir band, robotics, and chess. He would love to play for his school, but there is no way he can shoehorn it in to his packed days.
And so we enroll him in a week long soccer camp every summer.
The organization we use is Challenger Sport's British Soccer Camps. The style of play taught by the coaches meshes well with how Jacob plays soccer and it is just plain fun. Jake has show some very clear leadership skills during this session. Admittedly his biggest goal was to convince his team to select a country that would have a white jersey, the campers are divvy up into teams that are named after different countries. The kids are then to wear the color associated with the country's world cup uniform. Jacob got his team to agree to be South Korea and garnered the color white.
His soccer skills are also worth noting. Even though he only gets to play once a year, he can still give good game. Heck he even bowled over one of the coaches today. Coach Dave was equal parts stunned at being knocked down (I'm so out of shape, I'm getting knocked over!) and being highly amused.
I'm hoping I can find a young adult league for Jacob to play in next year. It'll do him good.
The one thing Jacob truly misses is soccer. His schedule is full, dare I say overflowing, with all his commitments in marking band, pep band, show choir band, robotics, and chess. He would love to play for his school, but there is no way he can shoehorn it in to his packed days.
And so we enroll him in a week long soccer camp every summer.
The organization we use is Challenger Sport's British Soccer Camps. The style of play taught by the coaches meshes well with how Jacob plays soccer and it is just plain fun. Jake has show some very clear leadership skills during this session. Admittedly his biggest goal was to convince his team to select a country that would have a white jersey, the campers are divvy up into teams that are named after different countries. The kids are then to wear the color associated with the country's world cup uniform. Jacob got his team to agree to be South Korea and garnered the color white.
His soccer skills are also worth noting. Even though he only gets to play once a year, he can still give good game. Heck he even bowled over one of the coaches today. Coach Dave was equal parts stunned at being knocked down (I'm so out of shape, I'm getting knocked over!) and being highly amused.
I'm hoping I can find a young adult league for Jacob to play in next year. It'll do him good.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Another Season Starts
Sports are in full swing now so I spend about an hour a day watching my kids do a lot of running around. If I remember I'll have a book and that is the best way to while away an hour or so. For days like today, when my books ends up being left behind, I take pictures, chat with other parents, or call up Meryl.
So really, practice not such a bad thing. The only problem is figuring out when to shoe horn in dinner and homework.
So really, practice not such a bad thing. The only problem is figuring out when to shoe horn in dinner and homework.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Morning on the Pitch
It was a rather chilling morning last Saturday. Max and Rebecca both had
games at 9, fortunately at the same park, and it was picture day to
boot.
So that meant we had to drag ourselves to the fields by 8:10 am.
I got to bundle up, but the dynamic duo had to doff their jackets for the pictures and the games. The pictures were particularly hard since it was in the shade and they couldn't run around. Once they hit the fields for warm-up and the game they were ever so much happier.
I, however, was very chilled. Since I wasn't moving around the stiff breeze cut right through me. At least I had dressed properly and I followed the sun for what meager warmth it gave. But, it was worth it, they both played well- Max's team tied and Rebecca's won.
Then again, I'll take cold over extreme heat any day.
So that meant we had to drag ourselves to the fields by 8:10 am.
I got to bundle up, but the dynamic duo had to doff their jackets for the pictures and the games. The pictures were particularly hard since it was in the shade and they couldn't run around. Once they hit the fields for warm-up and the game they were ever so much happier.
I, however, was very chilled. Since I wasn't moving around the stiff breeze cut right through me. At least I had dressed properly and I followed the sun for what meager warmth it gave. But, it was worth it, they both played well- Max's team tied and Rebecca's won.
Then again, I'll take cold over extreme heat any day.
Friday, May 27, 2011
MCP Project 52: Need for Speed
This week's theme was 'Need of Speed," and it got knocked out Saturday morning. There is nothing like a game of soccer to show a need for speed.
This was Max's last game of the season. He's settled into a fairly good midfielder, in fact all the kids had really come together to be a good little team. They have learned their positions and consistently pass the ball.
And it has paid off.
They have won most of their games, including their last one. I think the most impressive win was the second one of their double header last weekend.
It's been quite a season.
This was Max's last game of the season. He's settled into a fairly good midfielder, in fact all the kids had really come together to be a good little team. They have learned their positions and consistently pass the ball.
And it has paid off.
They have won most of their games, including their last one. I think the most impressive win was the second one of their double header last weekend.
It's been quite a season.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Intensity
Rebecca has certainly evolved as a soccer player.
When we first signed her up it was almost comical. She loathed practice and would only cooperate after I threatened to deny her post game snacks if she did nothing during practice. During the games she would be a bit more animated, particularly if her ball was used as the game ball, because by gum nobody else was allowed to touch her ball. Then there was the time she had a snit and stood there, arms folded and ignoring the ball, even when it was at her feet.
After that somewhat disastrous season we had her sit out the next. There was no point wasting her time and the team's time if she wasn't going to try. However she still had to schlep to all her siblings practices and by the end she warmed up to the idea of trying again. At least then she wouls have something to do.
Now she has become a fairly intense and competitive player. Like her brothers, she is not afraid of the bigger kids. When she gets knocked down she pops right back up. Oh and she has a wicked tackle and is not afraid to use it. This intensity is evident in the above photo. She is very intently watching the ball and moving up the field alongside, ready to pounce if it comes her way.
Rebecca has come a very long way from her first foray into soccer.
When we first signed her up it was almost comical. She loathed practice and would only cooperate after I threatened to deny her post game snacks if she did nothing during practice. During the games she would be a bit more animated, particularly if her ball was used as the game ball, because by gum nobody else was allowed to touch her ball. Then there was the time she had a snit and stood there, arms folded and ignoring the ball, even when it was at her feet.
After that somewhat disastrous season we had her sit out the next. There was no point wasting her time and the team's time if she wasn't going to try. However she still had to schlep to all her siblings practices and by the end she warmed up to the idea of trying again. At least then she wouls have something to do.
Now she has become a fairly intense and competitive player. Like her brothers, she is not afraid of the bigger kids. When she gets knocked down she pops right back up. Oh and she has a wicked tackle and is not afraid to use it. This intensity is evident in the above photo. She is very intently watching the ball and moving up the field alongside, ready to pounce if it comes her way.
Rebecca has come a very long way from her first foray into soccer.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Dedicated Soccer Mom
It's that time of the year again when I get to spends hours upon hours sitting outside while my children practice or play soccer. There is baseball and Marching band as well, but I don't have to stick around for those practice sessions.
This year Rebecca is on strictly girls only team and she is really enjoying being around just girls for change. As for Max he is on a co-ed team which is mostly boys with just a handful of girls (And yes, that girl really is that much bigger than Max). Which means the dynamic duo are on very different game schedules.
Fortunately the games don't overlap by too much and so far it hasn't been complicated. The real bright spot is that the practice schedules mesh beautifully. Rebecca is Monday and Thursday while Max and Nate are Tuesday and Thursday. All of the fields are within walking distance and all of the practices start at 5:30 pm.
Heck, I've even been bringing a neighbor's child, J, on Tuesday and Thursday. His mom had knee surgery and will be out of commission for quite some time. I'm more than happy to help out since I'm going there anyways. I'm a soccer mom and I have room in the van. One more kid is not a problem.
In fact today I was such a dedicated soccer mom I even went to practice for a team my children are not ion. Poor Max has a major muscle pull in his left leg and was unable to attend practice. But Nate still had baseball today and that meant I still had to go to the park. So J still got his ride and ended having me hanging out at his practice instead of Max's.
This year Rebecca is on strictly girls only team and she is really enjoying being around just girls for change. As for Max he is on a co-ed team which is mostly boys with just a handful of girls (And yes, that girl really is that much bigger than Max). Which means the dynamic duo are on very different game schedules.
Fortunately the games don't overlap by too much and so far it hasn't been complicated. The real bright spot is that the practice schedules mesh beautifully. Rebecca is Monday and Thursday while Max and Nate are Tuesday and Thursday. All of the fields are within walking distance and all of the practices start at 5:30 pm.
Heck, I've even been bringing a neighbor's child, J, on Tuesday and Thursday. His mom had knee surgery and will be out of commission for quite some time. I'm more than happy to help out since I'm going there anyways. I'm a soccer mom and I have room in the van. One more kid is not a problem.
In fact today I was such a dedicated soccer mom I even went to practice for a team my children are not ion. Poor Max has a major muscle pull in his left leg and was unable to attend practice. But Nate still had baseball today and that meant I still had to go to the park. So J still got his ride and ended having me hanging out at his practice instead of Max's.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The 2010 FIFA World Cup Champion is...
Paul the Octopus!
Well actually it was Spain, but it was really a let down of a game.
The referee was card happy and just encouraged the theatrics on the field. During regulation play it looked like Spain's playbook ran along the lines that if you lose the ball just drop to the ground clutching your shins and roll around for a bit. The only player I had any respect for was the goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. He was utterly amazing and truly deserved being selected as the best World Cup goalkeeper.
As for good soccer match-ups, yesterday's game between Germany and Uruguay was the one to watch. The officiating was superior and there was almost none of the diving and theatrics that plagued today's final. It was an exciting to watch and really was "the beautiful game."
Well actually it was Spain, but it was really a let down of a game.
The referee was card happy and just encouraged the theatrics on the field. During regulation play it looked like Spain's playbook ran along the lines that if you lose the ball just drop to the ground clutching your shins and roll around for a bit. The only player I had any respect for was the goalkeeper, Iker Casillas. He was utterly amazing and truly deserved being selected as the best World Cup goalkeeper.
As for good soccer match-ups, yesterday's game between Germany and Uruguay was the one to watch. The officiating was superior and there was almost none of the diving and theatrics that plagued today's final. It was an exciting to watch and really was "the beautiful game."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Gooooaaaalllll!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though a bunch of us were feeling under the weather today, myself included, there was dancing and high-fiving when Landon Donovan knocked in the winning goal.
I had thought the US vs England game was exciting, but it didn't hold a candle to today's US vs Algeria match-up. Even with questionable calls and a denied goal (once again we were robbed) the US team never gave up and was able to win at the very end of the game.
I would throw in a link to the game winning goal here, but FIFA's servers are overwhelmed and the YouTube offerings are being pulled down as fast as they go up (once again-stupid FIFA). So you'll just have to trust me, if you didn't see it live, that it was an incredible game to watch.
Artist of the week will be back in action next week.
I had thought the US vs England game was exciting, but it didn't hold a candle to today's US vs Algeria match-up. Even with questionable calls and a denied goal (once again we were robbed) the US team never gave up and was able to win at the very end of the game.
I would throw in a link to the game winning goal here, but FIFA's servers are overwhelmed and the YouTube offerings are being pulled down as fast as they go up (once again-stupid FIFA). So you'll just have to trust me, if you didn't see it live, that it was an incredible game to watch.
Artist of the week will be back in action next week.
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