Soccer!

We have now finished Cade's 3rd semester of Smart Soccer with the City of Bryan and he loves it more each time! Coach Marty does a great job, and it is still really fun having a parent-child activity with no emphasis on competition yet. The kids just focus on having fun, following instructions, and learning basic ball skills.

The kids always got to warm up on their own by kicking the ball around. I think Cade was just happy to run!



Jackson, Cade, Garrett, and Luke all know each other, which made soccer really fun but a little hard to pay attention sometimes. The parents sure enjoyed the chance to catch up each week!



Very important to stretch!



They really focused on kicking the ball with the inside of the foot this session. It was a hard adjustment, but Cade caught on pretty well!



Good job, Buddy! And thanks, Oma, for taking pictures one week!



A little instruction from Coach Marty



Practicing stopping the ball



Hot and sweaty Cade and Garrett



After 5 weeks of drills, the kids were ready for a "game". Since they don't have uniforms, it is hard for them to tell who is on what team, and the whole experience is usually pretty hilarious. Of course, we have to start with the stretches.



And then each team learns which direction to kick the ball. Good job, Luke!



Thankfully, with a bit of re-numbering and parental intervention, all 4 boys ended up on the same team :) Cade wanted them to be the Hornets, but the team settled on Tigers.



Each team takes turns kicking off. I'm sure there is another term for that, but football is all I really know!



Not to brag, but Cade did GREAT at the game! He always stayed up with the ball and scored the first 2 goals of the game. He also didn't get mad or frustrated when other kids took the ball and scored. We were really proud of our team player!



Who is that strange man giving Cade a fist bump??? Chance got to come to the game! His head coach let him leave practice early so he could make it. We were so surprised and happy to see him!



One of the boys' preschool teachers, Tori, also came to the game. She definitely goes above and beyond her normal duties and the boys had fun playing with her during halftime!



The 2nd half of the game was too dark to take pictures since the field lights did not turn on. The kids all had lots of fun and we are calling this soccer season a definite success. Can't wait to do it again in the spring!