Saving the Best for Last

Morgan had her last soccer game of the spring season today. It has been a crazy week weather wise with thunder storms and rain every day. Luckily her soccer field is in an area of town that seems to get the lighter weather so we only had to compete with a minor drizzle (and I think the kids kind of enjoyed it). 

I have discovered that I am highly under prepared for kids sports viewing. Every week I show up with a simple blanket that serves as our sitting place while the rest of the parent force totes chairs and such. Today that included chairs with attached umbrellas while I had my hat serve as a rain shield - luckily grandma and grandpa showed up with umbrellas, and I will admit to having now purchased one to keep in my car - again props to the dollar store! I have wondered for some time though - is it that terrible to sit on the ground???

This season has been an interesting one. She is the youngest on the team and also the only girl and she definitely missed having the camaraderie of another girl. At the first game you could tell she was overwhelmed by all of the kids coming at her and spent many games looking forward to and asking for frequent breaks. Her coach was very supportive of her and paid attention to what motivated Morgan and or when she was in the mode to play. Every week was a guessing game - will she or won't she, play that is? Something happened today, not sure if it was the weather, the realization of this game being the finale, the promise of the season trophy, whatever it was she decided today was the day she would play.

She told me before the game that she wanted to play the whole game and take no breaks. Sure enough when kick off started she was one of the four on the field and she kept focus on the ball and kept up with the group chasing after the ball. She did have to take a couple of breaks - other kids needed play time too - but she spent a good 3/4s in the game and even scored a goal. Now, the goal did benefit the other team - but she kicked the ball into the net and I have to celebrate that.

Overall I think it was what is to expected of a first season and of a 4 1/2 year-olds introduction into team sports. I am proud of the progress she made and look forward to next season.