Sometimes During a Soccer Game

Sometimes during a soccer game....

You decide to untuck your shirt.

 You take water breaks.  A lot of them.

You stretch.  And do some exercises.

 You wink and wave to Mom, Dad, and Austin.

 

You fly around like an airplane.

 You marshall your teammates.

And every now and then, you go after the ball.

Soccer Soccer Soccer!

We signed Cooper up for soccer this year, not really knowing how he would do.  We hoped he'd have fun and learn a little about playing on a sports team, and so far, I think he's accomplished both of those goals.  Not totally sure if soccer is his sport or not, but as each week passes, he's enjoying it more and and really getting a better feel for teamwork, being a team player, and all things that come with being on a sports team--trying your hardest, supporting your teammates, listening to your coach and having fun.  

I really, really like our coach; he's great for first time players.  Encouraging, supportive and enthusiastic, but also empathic and understanding that these guys are all brand new and only three and four years old.  One of my favorite things about our coach, is that he makes sure that each kiddo gets at least one goal before the end of the game.  Whether totally legit or not, each player leaves with the confidence that they made a goal and everyone cheered for them!

First Game

 

Big cheering section for the first game!

 Love this one with Poppi video taping in the background.  He was so proud of Cooper!

 Game against Jackson's team!  

This actually ended up being Coop's most challenging game, so far.  It was in the evening (first strike) and it was like his team just couldn't get into a groove with anything.  Coop left this game feeling a little defeated, saying he didn't like soccer.  We had a good pep talk about always trying your hardest, even when you have a rough game and the only way to get better, is to keep trying.  Our talk worked, because at the next game, it seemed like things finally clicked for him!

When it all clicked!

This was the turning point game, when Coop started "getting it" a little more and had fun.  AND, he got two real, legitimate goals!

 First real goal!  Phew!

Second real goal!  So exciting!!

 Great game on a cold morning. 

What we are starting to notice is that Coop is really good at running and keeping up with his teammates.  He kind of dips his chin down to his right shoulder, swings his right arm like he's workin real hard and just runs with the group!  However, getting the ball, kicking the ball, turning the ball...we are still working on those skills.  Coop is also kind of the team "protector."  Twice now a kid on the opposing team has pushed one of Cooper's teammates, while Coop happened to be standing there, and BOTH times Coop has jumped between the pusher and his teammate and given a little shove back.  It's never rough or anything big, but enough to say, "hey, don't mess with my team!"  I think it shows his devotion and pride of his team. 

I'm really proud of my little soccer player.  He has a good attitude, he enjoys going to practice and he's learning a lot along the way.

Monthly Austin Updates

A little behind, but finally finished these monthly updates on Austin Boo.

Austin: 10 Months

Austin: 11 Months

Enjoy!

Painting and Fall Crafts

Crafting, Round 1: Making Spiders

Coop asked that we make spiders to hang up for Halloween, so we raided our craft box and found the perfect supplies.  Off we went to make our spiders!

Austin Boo was super interested in what Cooper was doing with the paint, so I decided to give him a brush of his own.  And, he loved it!

 

Handprint face makes me smile.

 Austin kept putting the paint brush in his mouth and trying to suck the paint off...

 so I ended up taking his brush away, and he got really sad.

 But calmed down and had fun smearing the paint around with his hands.

 I ended up putting the camera down to help Coop, but these are the finished Halloween spiders!

Crafting, Round 2: Painting Pumpkins

The boys and I walked over to a neighborhood pumpkin patch one afternoon to pick out a couple of pumpkins to paint.  Coop was quick to pick his out and was excited and so sweet when he picked out one for Austin.  He looked over all the small pumpkins, picking up several and putting them back before choosing the "perfect" one for his little brother.

We set up our painting station outside and away they went!

 Love to see Cooper's concentration.

Happy painter and the finished products!