Soccer

I was skeptical about Jayce playing soccer. Would he even play? Would he be too shy? How would I handle Alyssa during soccer practice? Well, to answer my questions -- sort of, yes, and it was very difficult. At the beginning of the season, soccer was miserable. Jayce didn't want to play, Alyssa wanted to play at the park, Jayce wanted me close by, Alyssa wanted to scale the dangerous climbing wall -- I was literally running back and forth between the playground and the playing field with kids crying behind me. I was about to give up on the season. However, something in Jayce clicked -- a competitive bug, perhaps? Suddenly, soccer was awesome! Practice became fun, and I figured out how to manage Alyssa (go to practice early, let her play at the park, and once practice starts amuse her with my amazing drawings of planes, dogs, and cats as we sit on the sideline). Everything fell into place. In fact, Jayce became the star player during the last two games . . . scoring goals in each. It was so strange seeing my son with such a competitive spirit. I didn't think he had it in him. Not only did he score, he blocked and did some fancy footwork as well. Of course, he's still four (just turned -- see birthday post), so he's far from perfect. I'm just glad he got the confidence to get out there and have fun.
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Not in chronological order, but this was at the end of the game. Jayce was so funny . . . instead of high fiving the other team, he ended up shaking their hands -- a move that everyone else ended up adopting. By the way, the other team played so dirty!!! That one blond haired boy at the end of the red jersey line kept hitting and pushing our kids for no reason (he was out there to make trouble, not to play). I'm surprised his coaches didn't pull him.
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Of course, the obligatory "Go team!" cheer. Jayce looks enthused.
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Here's Jayce, right in the thick of things.
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Alyssa was bored, so she ended up rolling down the hill as Jer watched the game.
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Alyssa then decided she wanted to play instead. She was out on the field, trying to participate. When the massive clump surrounding the soccer ball headed her way, we immediatly got her off the field to deal with her protestations and tears.

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If the play is ruled dead, Jayce hates to stand around and wait, He sits on the field until the ball gets back into play. You can hear the coach yell, "Jayce, get up!" as the ref blows the whistle. Jayce gets up, runs like mad, and ends up getting the ball. He and another teammate seem to be vying for possession -- I'm not sure they realize that there is no "I" in team. He ended up scoring during the next play . . . something I never caught on camera. :(

Jayce (he's #4) got a little too aggressive during this play (I don't think he's supposed push off like that). But, seriously, that other team was so naughty that he was mild in comparison. Oh, goodness -- do I sound like a parent trying to justify bad behavior? Oh, no! He also falls A LOT during the games.

So now I'm thinking -- do I sign him up for winter session? He says, "Yes!" I say, "Maybe." I was thinking we'd wait until spring, but I'm still on the fence. I dunno'!