Our homeschool group offered spring soccer for eight weeks, beginning the first week of April. Yes, I’m just now, nine weeks later, sharing photos. Why? Because I snapped over 300 photos and for some reason, the folks around here want clean clothes and food, so I put off editing photos. Even today, I found myself knowing that I needed to tackle this job, but still put it off. I sure hope someone out there is seeing these. Don’t tell me if you’re not there. I don’t want to know. Let me keep pretending this blog is read by thousands. Thank you.

Soccer gave me the perfect opportunity to use my Nikon zoom lens, which Terry bought me for Christmas. I was very pleased with it. In fact, I got some photos that I couldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Terry coached the U4 soccer, which was ages 2-5 (roughly). It was…an adventure! I don’t think we taught them much soccer, but they got some exercise and ate Goldfish crackers. Lots of Goldfish crackers. They sure are adorable little kiddos.

The first day.

Terry’s goal for this age was just to teach them not to use their hands. Matt learned to stop the ball with his foot. Once.

We did a lot of stretches with the U4’s .

We twisted.

We touched our toes.

Sometimes, they pulled weeds AND stretched. I love my little multi-taskers!

And they ran around a lot.

They looked mighty adorable running around.

Sometimes, they kicked the ball, too!

Once in a while, they would get on their game face.

Max liked his coach.

On game day, they all enjoyed the huddle.

At the end of the practice, or maybe even during the practice, they just wanted to take a nap.

And that’s okay. We are very accommodating over in the U4’s.

So, Matt, what did you think of soccer?

Yep. Me, too.

Laci’s game was very exciting. She gives soccer 100% of her energy. Her team won their game, too, so that was really nice.

The ball had just hit her arm in this photo. She took it and went right on.

WAIT…this is Laci we’re talking about. First, she looked at me down the field, her eyes wide as saucers and pointed at the spot where the ball hit her. I told her she was fine and to get out there and PLAY! Okay, not really. I yelled to her, “You’re okay!”

Yes, I’m the compassionate type.

If only I could Laci to show emotion; to express herself.

Ah, well. Maybe one day.

Leslie did a fine job on her team. She played her heart out and was a good sport when they came away without a victory.

I love this face! Thank you, Nikon zoom!

Hot, but happy.

Mitchell and Lauren’s games ended up being played at the same time, in the rain. This meant that I couldn’t get many photos of either of them. I pulled out the camera between showers and snapped as many as I could. Both Mitch and Lauren’s teams lost, but again, they played hard.

This first photo is of Lauren was taken the week before her big game. She had just caught the ball to stop the green team from scoring.

I’m so glad I got the above photo of her when I did, because the next week, being goalie was a bit messier:

She had to stand, and *ahem* dive in a huge mud puddle!

Ummmm…there simply are no words. Okay, yes there’s a word: HELP!

She didn’t mind. (WHAT?)

The mud didn’t bother her, but missing every ball of the game did. But what can a girl do when she is caked in slimy mud and wet with rain? Of all the kids, she gave the most. She willingly dove into the mud and tried to stop the ball.

I liked this photo of Lauren’s friend patting her on the back. Poor Lauren couldn’t get the ball for anything.

Here are the kids on the first day of soccer. It was a wonderful experience and we are so thankful for our homeschool group!

And I’m thankful for you. Your presence has made this terrible crick in my neck worth it.