Soccer

I have the funniest story to tell. McKinley is playing soccer for the first time this season and is so excited about it. Ebony has played a previous season, but it has been a while. They both seem to be really into the sport leading up to their game. They were playing with a soccer ball in the house one day and Ebony was trying to offer McKinley advice. McKinley got huffy and refused to listen stating, "Ebony I KNOW how to play soccer!" I thought "oh great". Then driving in the car the day before their first game a similar scenario played out. Fearing that McKinley was going to handicap herself I told her, "McKinley, you don't know how to play soccer, you're practicing to learn and the more people you can listen and learn from, the better!". Then arrives the day of her game. And open mouth, insert foot. The kid was so aggressive and all over that ball! She took it from one end of the field to the other, avoiding a sliding tackle to the ankle by hopping over said attempt and continuing on with the ball to score the first goal of the game! With her left foot! I'm pretty sure my mouth was hanging open catching flies. What?! Where did that come from?! Since then, she has been gung ho and party on as far as soccer is concerned. She played her second game the day after she had the stomach flu and though she clearly lacked energy, she loved every minute! We drove past a soccer field on our way to tumbling and instantly she started up a non stop stream about soccer and loving practice and the games they play at practice etc etc. 

Ebony is old enough that rather than bunch ball this year, she is learning positions. Her soccer coach is phenomenal and holds 2 practices a week. Which is incredibly devoted for a volunteer position! We love Coach Ronnie! Ebony's team dominated the last game, the entire game played out on the opposite side of the field with dozens of attempts at shots on goal. But alas, the opposing goalie got lots of play time and the game ended with a tie. They did have 2 additional goals that weren't counted. I think one was off sides and the other we still aren't clear on why it didn't count. But the team had a lot of fun, is working well together, and I think will be practicing shots on goal this week! LOL

Both girls are working incredibly hard out on that field, doing a great job listening to the advice of their coach and also their father, and playing with a love of the game that is making us proud. And Dad is in heaven watching his girls learn to love a sport that he is very passionate about.

We are having a lot of fun watching the games this year and finding creative ways to stay warm!  

And Jaedyn is practicing her photography skills!