Our weekend started right after school Friday with Kristin's first soccer game. Not only was this her first soccer game, but her first of anything as far as being in an organized sport or activity. Did I say organized? It actually was a bit of mad soccer chaos. Kaylee's soccer season ended about a month ago and her impeccable and irreplaceable coaches re
ally set the bar high for any coach we have in the future. So I knew going into Kristin's soccer season, my expectations were a bit too high. I had heard that this league focuses more on fun and is much more laid back than the rec soccer league Kaylee was a part of. However, with Kristin's September bday, it would be another 2 soccer seasons before she would be old enough to play with Kaylee's league. I figured since this league took three year olds, at least she will be playing... something she longed for each and every practice and game of Kaylee's. So my expectation bar dropped a few when I learned that the team "practices" about a half hour before games--NO separate practice nights. So after all players get there (no formal coach introduction let alone player introductions), "practice" begins. Not too bad at first, a little kicking, a little passing, the expected soccer drills. Then the game begins. We started off with 4 players vs. 4 players. These kids don't have a clue, and the coaches don't have much more of one. As the ball goes out of bounds, no game play is stopped and maybe used as a teaching moment to show how to throw back in, a coach picks up the ball and throws it in the middle of the field as if he were playing fetch with a dog. Kids pulling other's jerseys, tackling each other, using their hands... pure madness!! Nic and I stayed back and kind of just took it all in and observed. Kristin ran after the pack and didn't really touch the ball much as I think she was a bit intimidated by the madness. We were okay with that as it was getting kind of rough. We are hoping that the coaches will go back and come up with some sort of plan as to how they are going to make this season a balance of fun, skill, and control all at the same time. Regardless though, she looked darn cute in her uniform (and she knew it too!) and had fun (which is the most important thing). I know she just felt so important because this was the first time it was about HER! She's been a spectator and supporter for her sister in so many different activities, that I know she was beaming inside to know we were all about Kristin for a change!!
She decided to sit and pick the grass as the madness chased the ball down the field. She had had enough already!! So cute...my little soccer player!!
ally set the bar high for any coach we have in the future. So I knew going into Kristin's soccer season, my expectations were a bit too high. I had heard that this league focuses more on fun and is much more laid back than the rec soccer league Kaylee was a part of. However, with Kristin's September bday, it would be another 2 soccer seasons before she would be old enough to play with Kaylee's league. I figured since this league took three year olds, at least she will be playing... something she longed for each and every practice and game of Kaylee's. So my expectation bar dropped a few when I learned that the team "practices" about a half hour before games--NO separate practice nights. So after all players get there (no formal coach introduction let alone player introductions), "practice" begins. Not too bad at first, a little kicking, a little passing, the expected soccer drills. Then the game begins. We started off with 4 players vs. 4 players. These kids don't have a clue, and the coaches don't have much more of one. As the ball goes out of bounds, no game play is stopped and maybe used as a teaching moment to show how to throw back in, a coach picks up the ball and throws it in the middle of the field as if he were playing fetch with a dog. Kids pulling other's jerseys, tackling each other, using their hands... pure madness!! Nic and I stayed back and kind of just took it all in and observed. Kristin ran after the pack and didn't really touch the ball much as I think she was a bit intimidated by the madness. We were okay with that as it was getting kind of rough. We are hoping that the coaches will go back and come up with some sort of plan as to how they are going to make this season a balance of fun, skill, and control all at the same time. Regardless though, she looked darn cute in her uniform (and she knew it too!) and had fun (which is the most important thing). I know she just felt so important because this was the first time it was about HER! She's been a spectator and supporter for her sister in so many different activities, that I know she was beaming inside to know we were all about Kristin for a change!!
She decided to sit and pick the grass as the madness chased the ball down the field. She had had enough already!! So cute...my little soccer player!! Saturday morning was so beautiful that we had to take advantage of the nice weather and lay out by the pool and play a bit outside. The girls were excited to finally be able to swim! Our sunning and swimming was cut short a bit because we had made plans to visit the Thornbury's for a family play date. 
We are always so grateful to spend time with Brian, Sarah, and their daughters Grace and Hanna. Nic and I have been good friends with Brian since high school and have kept in touch as our families have gone through so much over the years. We don't get together as often as we would all like to, but when we do, it's definitely quality time that we all enjoy, including the kids. The four girls get along so well and have the best time together. Every time we get together, it's like we pick right up from when we last saw each other. Good times!! This time, we made the half hour drive over to their house and the girls all played a bit while us adults chatted. We decided to
grab a bite to eat at Beef O'Brady's and then go bowling. We've never taken the kids but have been wanting to for ages. Everyone had the best time!! I think I surprised everyone (including myself) at just how good of a bowler I am! Nic claims it is just luck, but I truly think I have skill! I was bowling strikes and spares left and right! I even beat Nic in one of our games!! If you know anything about my husband, you know he hates to loose- especially to a girl!! So I'm definitely not letting him live that one down.
grab a bite to eat at Beef O'Brady's and then go bowling. We've never taken the kids but have been wanting to for ages. Everyone had the best time!! I think I surprised everyone (including myself) at just how good of a bowler I am! Nic claims it is just luck, but I truly think I have skill! I was bowling strikes and spares left and right! I even beat Nic in one of our games!! If you know anything about my husband, you know he hates to loose- especially to a girl!! So I'm definitely not letting him live that one down. 
We ended the night pretty late at Cold Stone for ice cream and headed back home for a good night's sleep.
After church on Sunday, we decided to take the girls to Busch Gardens to enjoy yet another beautiful day outside. Since we have passes, we've decided to go for only a few relaxing hours at a time and just do a little something different with each visit. We explored the new area, Jungala today. It consisted on a huge canopy type child area in which you climb on rope nets and bridges. Needless to say, both Kaylee and Kristin decide once we are at the top that they don't like it and start to panic. Add this to the fact that I have flimsy flip flops on that are the perfect size to get stuck in each step of the rope netting. So Nic took each one down individually and came back for the other. They both vowed NEVER to go back to that part of Busch Gardens again. After a quick trip around the Land of the Dragons, we called it a day. Kaylee wants to come back next weekend and stay into the evening when it gets dark.
Overall, a busy but fun weekend with the family. I can somehow always manage to keep us busy even with the rare free weekend that we get. I am just thankful that we have the opportunities that we do and that we are able to spend it together as a family!
Love the soccer pics. She looks too cute in those shorts????
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