Kicking Off the Summer Soccer Season

Saturday was a big day! Our 7th wedding anniversary but also, the first day of soccer for both boys this year. It's Easton's 3rd season of soccer--he did t-ball one summer instead. And it's Dalton's 2nd year.

Last year Jason coached Dalton's team...and Dalton wasn't real gung-ho about soccer. This year...the boy kicked butt! We were so surprised!!! We never ever break out the soccer ball or anything. There's a great chance Dalton hasn't kicked a ball since last summer. But he was impressing us in his half hour of practice before his game:


And we sat devotedly watching the 8 a.m. game from the sidelines:


Then it was time for the game. The kids had to show they knew which goal was theirs:


And the very first kick off, Dalton went for it...


...and he took it... (his little feet are coming out of blue coach's clipboard):


...all the way to the goal!

(Unfortunately the coach there is blocking our view of Dalton).

We couldn't believe it! His first game last year he spent much of the time crying. Plus our experience with Easton didn't have us expecting much from Lil Dah-Doh...but we quickly realized Dalton is different...

Boo-yeah:

Blue better get out of my way next time. :)

Watch him go:







His tongue was out like that much of the game! :P



This goal he knocked in with his head!


Takin' it to the goal again!


And again!


And again!


He had 4 or 5 goals by half time!!! And some near misses as well! He was so non-chalant about it all...like, he wasn't even sure we'd seen him as he sat down and was all, "So, I got some goals..." like he might say, "So, I had a sandwich..." Did he not hear us cheering!?!? :) It is a toss up whether I enjoyed watching Dalton shining out on the field or watching Jason beaming uncontrollably while watching his boy out there. He was so beyond proud that it got me choked up.

With Dalton being the middle child and the younger brother to Easton who has succeeded at so many things before him, it was just really special to see Dalton out there doing something so well all on his own. Out of the shadow of his big brother. But that big brother was super proud of him! Not jealous or downplaying any of it. On Dalton's immediate goal after the first kick off Easton was cheering just as much as we were and was just as proud, "I can't believe my brother got that goal so quick! Did you see him?!" and "He's only 4 years old!"

Dalton trying to look tough at half-time:


Even little sister showed her appreciation:


What a great start to the season!

After the game was over he told us how sometimes he'd need to make a tough face. :)



And when the game was all the way over he asked, "Did you see my moves?" Oh that boy!!!

He got loaded up with snacks and the little sweetie shared with Autumn and Easton on our way home:


We came home and did some cleaning and showering and packing. The kids had lunch and we waited on Gramoo to arrive. She stayed at the house with a napping Autumn while the rest of us headed out for Easton's 1 o'clock game.

He's sure come a long way since his first year of soccer as well. We saw a different kid out there last summer and this year he's continuing to grow as an athlete (I don't think he did a single somersault or shirt-lift):






He still does the pointy finger thing we noticed him doing last year.

Ha!

This year has some added challenges...the 1st/2nd grade level is the first year they play with a goalie. And they sort-of have positions. There's a referee instead of just the two coaches walking around loosely enforcing the rules.

Dalton sat on the sidelines and loudly cheered for his big bro. Our favorite was when he'd shout, "Concentrate, Easton! Concentrate!" :)

Easton had some good shots on goal...(is that how you say it in soccer? Sounds like I'm talking about hockey...)




...but the goalie stopped them each time.



He also got a few minutes to try out being the goalie:


But an older boy on his team stayed back as a very adept defender and nothing ever got past that boy to even need to be stopped by Easton...so he got a little bored...




But luckily no one scored on him. We felt bad for whatever kid was in the goal when they'd get scored on, no matter which team.

Goal-tending wasn't the only part that bored Easton...so did sitting on the sidelines while some other kids got a chance to play:


I don't even know who won Easton's game!

We're just so proud to see our boys out there being boys having fun and learning to be a part of a team. We've got a couple of years before it's this one's turn...


That was the first of many "Soccer Saturdays" this summer!