Soccer and Stuff

This week we finished off Carter's six weeks of soccer.  We're sorry it's over, but I'll be happy to get my normal grocery shopping night back since I feel like our schedule has been wonky since soccer took over Tuesday nights!  That's Jacob's normal practice night so it was always easy for Carter and me to grocery shop during that time and meet the guys at home for a late dinner.  Instead we had to take over another night for shopping, which led to another late dinner.  But I loved watching him play soccer and having a night to run into lacrosse friends, so I'll definitely miss that a bit!

A couple weeks ago they had the kids playing with the parachute, which was fun to watch.  I loved parachute day in gym class when I was a kid, so it was cool to see Carter get to enjoy it, too.  

Flapping it around

Getting some air

Running underneath the mushroom

It seemed like everyone had a lot of fun, and it made me smile to watch!  I have no idea what it had to do with soccer, but I think it's more about getting the kids moving and maybe offering something up to kids who may not have embraced the soccer part as much.

Last time we went to Jacob's therapy appointment, we were talking about Jacob's amazing setup of Hot Wheels Football a year ago.  That--and the Superbowl--inspired him to do it again.  I actually have a video of the whole setup, but I know he'd probably freak out with that floating around on the internet a few years from now, so we'll stick with the photos.  

He re-did the field signs on his Playmobil soccer field, set up some spectators, and even had a band for halftime.  He also used a flashlight for the pregame show.

He freehanded that helmet using a YouTube How To Draw tutorial

He was very proud to show the therapist everything this past week, and it kept the boys busy for a couple nights, which is always helpful.  Let me tell you, when Jacob is passionate about something, he really goes all out!

On our way to soccer this week, we stopped at a grocery store on the way to pick up something I forgot for Carter's Valentine's party, and since he had been singing on the way there, I asked him to do it again on video.  Thankfully, he obliged.  I have no idea where this came from, though since he was going to soccer I suppose it was appropriate.  But tell me this isn't the cutest thing...

The last night of soccer was bittersweet.  It definitely took me back to Jacob's last night, Valentine's Day 2013, otherwise known as the hardest day of my pregnancy with Carter and the day before he was born.  In fact, there was a pregnant mom next to us when we got there and I could sort of tell she was "done" for the day, much like I was that night five years ago.  Ahhhhh, memories.

I finally got off my butt and took a few pictures of the action...

Ready to throw down the ball to kick it into the net

Someone caught my lurking with the camera and decided to pose!

Kicking his ball in

After the session, the coach handed out certificates to all the kids and posed them for a photo...

They finished off with one last huddle and cheer...

Proud graduate!

Hopefully this does not mark the end of Carter's soccer career.  I have do to a little research to find the best fit for him in the next few months.  I think there are at least a couple soccer programs to choose from--one in our town and another that's through a local megachurch that owns their own sports facilities.  I think I'd prefer that one (and I think the timing is better for avoiding Jacob's lacrosse schedule), but we'll have to see what's available, what's affordable, and what the schedules end up being.  I can't say he's going to be the next superstar, but he sure does have fun, so it's definitely worth pursuing for now!  Now if only the weather would get nice so he could get outside and work on his skills!