Spring Sport Season AKA Laundry Season

Spring Sports are in full swing at our house. Which means that, in addition to watching various "games," we are also keeping the shower and washing machine busy. Added to the mix of practices and games is the fact that our springtime allergies are in full gear so there as also a lot of nose blowing, coughing and watery eyes in the mix.

Mr C, in addition to adding the Track Team to his plate, has taken on umpiring baseball games for our league. His first "game" was Saturday morning and the Umpire Commissionor was thrilled with his decision making and quick learning. He told C that he was very "teachable" and loved how his strike zone and play calling improved from the first to third inning. He's going to be a great umpire and is loving the fact that he can earn a little bit of extra cash, too.

My husband went to watch the C's first game behind the plate and commented how weird it is to cheer for the umpire.

C is again playing baseball and loving it. He's not a super star or hitting machine, but his decision making at second, his attitude and team spirit is contagious. He's the kind of kid you want in your dugout. He loves the sport, cheers and encourages his fellow ball players, and takes all the coaches advice to make himself better.

Miss M is playing softball and, after their first game yesterday, her coach "father" commented that he thinks he had as much fun coaching as the girls did playing. It was a great first game, and M who had the lead off batting position got right into the swing of things. We're blessed that our "team" has been together since 1st grade for the most part and the new girls who have joined have just fit in so well. Rumor has it she's pitching the next game! That might cause the mother to have a little stress, but Miss M's nerves will be steady.

Miss A has no interest in joining the crew on the ball field however she loves the "Snack Shack" and was thrilled that finally after a long winter off from ball game,s we are able to once again get Pretzels with salt, Ring Pops and Bazooka Gum. For her, it's all about the snacks and the siblings she gets to play with while "watching" the game. I have noticed, however, that after every game she asks the same question; "So, did our team win?"

Maybe she's not paying as much attention as I thought.

Miss A's real love, however, is soccer. She's thrilled that once again she's playing and scoring goals. I've even had the opportunity to "Coach" the past three games as the real coach has been out of town. I'm only suppose to be the Team Manager meaning the Snack Guru, but it's been fun to cheer on the girls and see them running and kicking and scoring goals.

Thankfully, I've remembered to assign "snack duty" to various families as it's not really a soccer game if there are no snacks at the end. Miss A might be willing to count up her "goals" and comment on how great she passed the ball to her friends, but I'm certain she would never forgive me if we didn't have snacks too!

Watching all the various games from the sidelines and cheering them on to victory is one of my favorite spring time rituals. The laundry and dirt that comes along for the ride is a small price to pay for the memories. At least, that's what I keep telling myself as I throw another load in the washer and clean up the kid's bathroom one more time.

Destined for Greatness Only Rain Delayed

Poor A! Her first soccer game was cancelled tonight due wet field conditions. It's been rainy this week, and this afternoon, when a downpour started around 2 p.m., I started to worry that her little heart was going to be crushed.

She's been wanting to play soccer her "whole life." Last spring, we were all ready to sign her up and realized she missed the cut off by 6 days. Born 6 days too late to qualify for the team. Come on people she's destined for greatness on the field.
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A's cousins are all soccer stars. She's heard all about their games, their cool uniforms and of has been waiting on the sidelines for "her turn." Her siblings gave up the quest for the game long along to pursue their loves of baseball and dance (not the same child). Little A might just have soccer in her veins though.

I played soccer in high school and college and coached a team or two in my day. I was not a star as that was my brothers role. I like soccer, but it's a little too slow for me and there is too much running involved.

A's been practicing in our backyard for the past few weeks. Once we got her uniform last week, she has to practice in all the gear; uniform, socks, shin quards, cleats. Don't you know they make her go faster and kick better.

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She's not thrilled with the color of the uniform. She was really hoping for purple, but she's decided she'll wear purple pre-wrap in her hair. You want to accessorize just right for games you know.

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Yesterday, we were practicing in the yard and she told me with the cutest look on her face that "I can't wait to get on the field and show them how great I am at soccer, won't that be cool Mom?"
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This afternoon, when I got the email that our game was cancelled, I dreaded telling her. I knew she was going to be crushed. All day she'd been asking how much longer till her "Game." After school pickup this afternoon, I crouched down to her level and told her I had bad news, no game toinght.

Her response; "It will just be another few days until my game, guess they have to wait to see how great I am at Soccer, huh Mom." Just a few more days A. Saturday morning, we can't wait for you to get here!!