Molly's First Soccer Game!

Unfortunately, the kids' first soccer games scheduled for the 9th were cancelled due to poor air quality (smoke being blown in from all the surrounding fires). Boo. Then Timothy got sick and had to miss his first game this past weekend! Bummer! 

Molly had her first game though! And she was awesome! 

We think soccer is a great game for teaching teamwork and sportsmanship. The kiddos have always done so great in those areas! They've got those qualities down. This year, however, I would like to really focus on reinforcing that we play for fun....because we love the game!  We always want to put forth our best effort and do our very best, but don't loose sight of the reason you are playing the game in the first place: to have fun and because you like it! 

I think this is an important message to get across at this age. Especially when there are parents screaming a million and one directions from the sidelines and their children (and other children). Especially when peers will start to get mad about not winning, or gloat if they do win, or tell you how to play and what you should be doing. How does any of that make the game fun and worth playing? 

It doesn't. It makes it stressful and lousy.

When we showed up to Molly's game, she had a friend who was wrapping up a game and getting off the field. This friend told Molly to do this and that, but don't do this, and you really need to be aggressive and do this if you wanted to win....like her....and don't be all la-de-da because winning was better than loosing. Blah blah blah. She went on and on. 

When she was quite finished, I looked at Molly and said, "Baby, just have fun." Whereupon she smiled at me and said, "Yup! I know!" 

I love that girl. 

Molly started out the game as goalie and she was loving it! She stopped a handful of balls and the shit eating grin on her face was priceless! 

We really are just so proud of her! She was up and down that field and all over that ball, just smiling the whole time! Like Anthony, she is a superb player. I think it helps that she loves to run! :) Though the smallest on the filed (when is she not the smallest!?), she really held her own.

When the game was over and we asked if she had fun, she answered with a hearty YES! 

Good.   

Great work, Hunny Bunny! You guys better get on thinking up your team name! Soccer pictures are coming up! Ekk!

With love,
Mama Hauck