Soccer (Again) !

Well, it is soccer time again.   Ben is thrilled to be playing this year and Nick is an old pro.  Nick and Ben happened to get the same color this year.  (I wish I only had to pay for one jersey since it drowns them both, and they are sharing shin guards anyway).  I am glad that both coaches decided to hold practices half an hour before games.  Otherwise, this would be a four night a week commitment.  Thank Goodness for only two.  They both play most games at 5, so Erik shows up as soon as he can, I am always glad to have another parent there.

Nick's eyes are dialated and he can't see without the glasses, hence two pair.

Ben's games are hilarious.  His coach is the 15 year old sister of one of the boys.  She is great.  She has the energy to keep up with them.  She is actually teaching them.  Ben said he needs to work on his "skills"  :)  They don't really know what they are doing.   Every three minutes one of them runs off the field crying, (he said "no hands", he kicked me, I want the ball, I was going to kick it, etc).  Ben has held it together so far, no tears.  He loves it and wants to be on the field the entire time.  Which is fortunate because out of eight team members only three will play.  Occasionally one of the other dads will drag their crying kid out onto the field and demand they play.  Doesn't usually work.  

Nick has a few people from last year and a few new, which is good.  Lots of friends to make.  He is doing great.  He scored a goal in his first game and plays the second tomorrow.  I got a great picture of him kicking the ball.   Unfortunately, waiting 2 seconds, would have gotten me a great picture of him scoring a goal.  He tells Ben that he already learned all his "skills."   

I thought Nick was calling someone.  He says sticking his tongue out at someone.  (Thanks for teaching him that one, Erik!

I am destined to spend much of my life attending sporting events.  So I am learning to enjoy them.  Both these boys are athletic and good natured about the games, I feel bad for the dads, making their kids "have fun."

An interesting side note:  At Ben's last game, they played a team with five players.  Two were named Erik (probably Eric, but it makes the story better), one was named Zach and the other two, sure enough Nick and Ben.  Pretty weird.   I bet that won't happen again.