Eban’s first socce
r game was fabulous. Ryan said that this is another phase of our lives as parents as we’ll now be bringing water to practices, cleaning uniforms, sitting on sidelines, and cheering with other moms and dads for the next 18 years – if not more. 
We got him ready and took photos at the house and he wore his tiny little cleats and mini-shin guards. So funny to see him wearing sports gear! We was pumped to say the least.
We showed up to the field to mayhem of little tykes and parents r
unning around. We found Coach Starr in the middle of a frenzy of parents and tiny tots. He is this young guy (maybe college) and Eban immediately hugged him. Very sweet. Our neighbor Ava is on the same team so it was fun to be with others we know who have the same aged kids.
unning around. We found Coach Starr in the middle of a frenzy of parents and tiny tots. He is this young guy (maybe college) and Eban immediately hugged him. Very sweet. Our neighbor Ava is on the same team so it was fun to be with others we know who have the same aged kids. 
Practice was hysterical. Their ability to focus was roughly three seconds and then they were off wandering around or as one teammate liked to do - - stick his head through the netting in the goal and get stuck. Ryan even had to free him one of the times as his mom couldn't get to him fast enough.
Coach tried to teach them minor skills such as kicking the ball in the net and I have no idea what the kids understood. Maybe half of them did the drill while the others lollygagged around. (I love the picture of Eban just watching the ball go past him into the net - - like he was going to stop it?) There are eight kids on the team and they play four on four for five minutes each. Each kid gets a rest while the other one plays. It's a half hour practive before the half hour game each week. Easy concept. They named their team, “The Nuggets.” I thought it was after our Denver pro basketball team only to here Coach Starr yell out, “Who likes Chicken Nuggets?!” All the kids giddily raised their hands. So I guess that’s the team name!
Then the kids stretched. It was SO funny – they did the butterfly, touched their toes, and hopped on one foot while grabbing one ear. Comical to say the least.
The game went better than I thought. The other team walloped us and Ava’s mom stopped keeping score after their “ringers” got four in a row. I don’t think we scored once. Ryan said two of the other kids played dirty and I didn't see any of it. I guess one of the kids knew how to do a slide trip and another one would grab the back of their jerseys to make them stop running. Pretty crafty if this is the case as it's the 3 - 4 year old team?
Eban did very well.
We were worried about his reactions as he can get very frustrated and pout. Well, his first time with the ball – it got stolen within a second – I didn’t get the video except the part where he starts to cry but follows the ball anyway. Somehow, Coach Starr gave out high fives and the tears dissipated. 
Following the game, the YMCA parents all line up and make a tunnel for the kids to run through as a way to congratulate the kids for their game. You could easily tell who the new parents were as we all stood around wondering what the other parents were doing. Then of course, we felt bad for not being a part of the tunnel thing…next week, I’m all over that!
Then we all sat around for snack and drink! Ava and Eban had their snack together. They were so cute! I loved it!
Jack did well during the game. He kicked around a soccer ball that we brought and he wasn’t as intrusive as I thought he was going to be. Ava has a younger brother named Miles and Jack and Miles are the same age so next year will be fun when we each have two kids playing in the season.
Then the kids stretched. It was SO funny – they did the butterfly, touched their toes, and hopped on one foot while grabbing one ear. Comical to say the least.
The game went better than I thought. The other team walloped us and Ava’s mom stopped keeping score after their “ringers” got four in a row. I don’t think we scored once. Ryan said two of the other kids played dirty and I didn't see any of it. I guess one of the kids knew how to do a slide trip and another one would grab the back of their jerseys to make them stop running. Pretty crafty if this is the case as it's the 3 - 4 year old team?
Eban did very well.
We were worried about his reactions as he can get very frustrated and pout. Well, his first time with the ball – it got stolen within a second – I didn’t get the video except the part where he starts to cry but follows the ball anyway. Somehow, Coach Starr gave out high fives and the tears dissipated. 
Following the game, the YMCA parents all line up and make a tunnel for the kids to run through as a way to congratulate the kids for their game. You could easily tell who the new parents were as we all stood around wondering what the other parents were doing. Then of course, we felt bad for not being a part of the tunnel thing…next week, I’m all over that!Then we all sat around for snack and drink! Ava and Eban had their snack together. They were so cute! I loved it!
Jack did well during the game. He kicked around a soccer ball that we brought and he wasn’t as intrusive as I thought he was going to be. Ava has a younger brother named Miles and Jack and Miles are the same age so next year will be fun when we each have two kids playing in the season. Practice - Keep Watching Until Eban Gets His Foot Stuck
Eban's First Minute Playing Ball - someone stole the ball from him and then I started rolling the video
Eban's Almost Goal
My Favorite Video of the Bunch for Soccer Day
High Fives - and the YMCA Tunnel - the new Y parents were not ready for this activity
