Are you ready for some soccer?

Benji on the move!

Ready for action.


The Team


The Coach (and his biggest fan)

Ben and Elia

Coming home.

Elijah's been in drama since early February, Priscilla in ballet, Mary in gymnastics - Ben's been waiting forever for his special activity to begin. This past Saturday, finally, was his very first soccer game. Apparently, there were more players than anticipated because last week we got a phone call from our YMCA begging for help. Was there any possible way that my husband could volunteer as a coach? There was. He did. I had a wonderful time watching the two of them from the folding chairs on the sidelines. Benji, the only boy on his team, had a hard time at first not grabbing the jerseys of the kids running beside him, but by the end of the game was using primarily just his feet to maneuver the ball, had soaked his hair in water to look a little more sporty, and had taken to lying down flat on his back in disbelief whenever his opponents scored a goal.

Troy, very gently, suggested the ball be passed in an orderly fashion instead of impulsively kicked in any old direction. He planned a defense where, instead of the entire team crowding together around the action, two of the players stay planted in front of the goal. But alas, twenty minute old habits die hard and these first timers held fast to their original notion that it is every man for himself out there. The important thing is that Ben had a great time - and that, no matter what the outcome, there are always treats at the end. I was proud of him for staying focused and proud of Troy for being so sweet and so involved in our community and in the life of his son. I believe this will be a positive experience for both of them.