Soccer Week

Well, all in all, we would score this first exposure to soccer a success.

And, I mean for all of us.

Mike and I were not soccer kids growing up so this was very different for us.

The week began with Mike and Lily going by themselves with Emma and I going every day after that to watch. It was great that we got to watch and cheer our girl on, so weird seeing Lily run around looking so grown-up!

The rundown:

This Grassroots Summer Camp was run by the league's Technical Director who it turns out actually played in college and turned either semi-pro or pro. Lily loved Coach Brian and Coach Kevin and they seemed to really take care of our girl.

There were around 16 kids ranging in ages from 3 to 5. Funny when your girl is most likely one of the youngest on the field but looked like one of the oldest.

The goal of this camp was for the kids to get used to listening to coaches and become more independent from their parents. They played lots of games which included a lot of parent involvement and as the week went on the parents would take more steps back. Some of the games seemed scary to Lily so she watched some of them but really did great! 

Tuesday they had their first "scrimmage" and Lily just stood to the side watching the "bee swarm" go after the soccer ball. We would tell her to go after the ball but she didn't seem too interested..until we told her that was the point. It was OK to take the ball. On our way home she told us that it wasn't nice to take the ball away from people. :). But by Thursday she scored a goal in their scrimmage and was smiling from ear to ear! So proud.

Lily also made a friend this week, Lainey. She just turned 4, her Dad is in the Navy and her mom, Cassie, teaches 5th grade in VB. Emma and I sat with Cassie all week, Lily and Lainey were on the same 2 on 2 team and worked great together. After learning that the Fall league is one where the kids play 3 on 3, we will be signing Lil up. We're hoping that we can get the girls on the same team and the guys can coach.

It was a wonderful week and we really enjoyed watching our Soccer Star :)!

 

A little clip showing one of the games they played.

Red Light, Green Light.

Lily didn't like being part of the pack running down the field so Mike separated her a bit so that she could run. Seemed to work just fine but then she ran right towards Em and I. :) I got a great hug at the end of this game!