The End of a Soccer Career

Two Saturday's ago was Aiden's last soccer game of the season.  To be honest, he has been counting down to that day.  He really likes soccer and is pretty good at it, however, that's when we're home playing here.  Out there on the field, with a team?  He hates it.  He hates the fact that people are watching him. Even if no one but us is really paying attention to him, he feels like they are watching him and that makes him stay as far away from the ball as possible.

He told me that after this game, he is done soccer forever.  I told him I'll be sad to not watch him play anymore, but I don't want him to do it if it makes him that uncomfortable so I guess Aiden will be hanging up his cleats.  I'll, of course, ask him if he wants to play again when it's time to sign up for fall season, but I'm not keeping my fingers crossed.  Emma seems to like it so maybe she'll play in the little, little tikes league when she can.

Here are some pictures from Aiden's last game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team huddle after the game...Aiden wants his patch!

Aiden getting his last patch of the season

We may not have won many games this season, but Aiden got his snacks and patches and that's all that mattered to him! :-)

My Soccer Star

You may remember that Aiden is playing soccer again this season.  He is still kind of shy and isn't very aggressive.  He still likes to gallop around in the back and not get too close to the ball.  I think he's afraid the other kids might kick him, that he'll make them mad if he takes the ball, and he's nervous he'll make a mistake and everyone will see him.  I hate that he's only just about 5 years old and worries about that all ready, but if you know Patrick and I, clearly, he gets it honestly.

He says he likes playing soccer and I'm happy with that. He did tell Patrick the other day that he likes soccer practice, but not the games because there are other teams there then.  See? He just likes being around the people he already knows.  Sound familiar?

Here's a little video of our soccer star at his last game.  You might need to know he's #6, if you can even tell in the video who that is. It looks so much clearer on my phone! Aiden is toward the back, wandering around with his hands over his head. :-)

Soccer's Over for the Season

Aiden's last soccer game was supposed to be this past Saturday but the other team's coach had to cancel so our first season of soccer has officially come to an end.

I am so proud of Aiden for getting out there and having lots of fun.  He is that kid that's always worried about people looking at him or him making a mistake in front of people.  I don't know why he's this way (could be that I'm just like it?), but we're working on it and playing soccer was a huge step forward!  He may not have gone after the ball everytime or even knew if they won or lost, but he got out there ran around and had fun.

During each game (after the first one) he kicked the ball at least one time and that was enough for him.  We were all so proud that he did that! And throwing the ball in...awesome!

The team got together on Saturday for an end of the season pizza party.  Aiden did tell me that he was glad the coach canceled his game so they could have a pizza party instead. Hahaha He is so my child.  They had lots of fun eating pizza, playing video games, and getting trophies!

He thought patches were cool. Not as cool as a trophy!

He already told me he wants to play again so now we wait until spring sign-ups!

Ready for Aiden's soccer party

Hanging with Josh

Josh and Aiden

Team Wolf Pack

Team Wolf Pack - Fall 2011

So proud of their trophies!

See my trophy?

 

Soccer: Game 2

Today was Aiden's second soccer game and I am such a proud mommy! He is starting to make some improvements and beginning to get a tad bit braver to kick the ball when it comes his way!! Not only did he get to "kick off" the ball again but he kicked the ball maybe two other times during the game! Wahooo! I have no clue what the final score was or anything, I'm just so excited that he's starting to get a little more into the game! And his favorite part...2 patches today!!! :-)

Aiden's 1st Soccer Game

On Saturday Aiden had his very first soccer game.  He looked so darn cute in his little uniform!

Go Wolfpack!

#5

Grrrr! Ready to scare the other team!

Just kidding! He's too sweet to be scary! Well, sometimes!

I love that "game face" picture! That is so not him at soccer!  He was excited to play in his new uniform though.  We had to explain to him on the way there that the people that he's been playing against at practice are actually on his team and that the team he was "against" would be in a different color.  That can probably be confusing for a little kid!


He still wasn't very aggressive and would sort of move out of the way if someone came near him with the ball, but at least he's having fun and getting some exercise. He was able to "kick off" one time. Yes, that's probably not what you call it, but I know what I mean. That made him and I very happy. I asked him later in the day why he didn't run after the ball and kick it like he does when he plays against me and he answered, "I kicked it one time." That's right buddy, you sure did and you rocked that kick!! He also got to throw the ball in when it went out of bounds. If  you ask me, he's the best thrower around! :-)

I made sure to pack the video camera to capture his first game...yeah...Patrick is FIRED!! If you were interested in watching the grass, some feet, or kids that aren't yours...Patrick's your man.  :Sigh: I guess I should be happy that he's in some of the video, but if you know me and my addiction to capturing moments, it's tough.  At least there's 5 or 6 more weeks of games so I can film more at another game.

On our way home he asked me if he did a good job.  Now that, almost brought me to tears.  Of course he did! He was awesome and I'm so proud of him! I'm so proud that even though he is terrified of people watching him and making a mistake, he still wanted to get out there and try it this season! He told us that he a good time at his first game...why?? Because they got another patch to put on their shorts! Duh! I swear this is the reason that he keeps wanting to go back, for the patches! Hey, whatever works!

Here's some pictures of our soccer star. :-)

Aiden (#5) warming up with his team

Go Wolfpack!!

Pep talk before the game starts

Here we go! That's Aiden right in front of the coach.

Brynn ready for the ball

Brynn & Aiden taking a break on the sidelines

That's Aiden in the back

Getting ready to "kick off" the ball!!

Hanging with Coach Chris

I swear he did play, it was just easier to get pictures on the sidelines!

Running after the ball!! (Only boy in red in the picture)

Go Aiden!

Aiden's hanging in the back. He doesn't like to run too fast at soccer.

Watching us instead of the ball :-)

Getting ready to throw the ball in

Awesome throw Aiden!

And of course some of Emma because I can't resist! She had fun squealing for Aiden too, when she wasn't looking for a snack or drink.

Always looking away from the camera when I snap it! Grrr!

Colton having a snack and Emma most likely looking for one

Go Aiden!!

Watching the game