Love of the Game (or at least the post-game snack)

Today was the first game of this soccer season. It was pretty cold, so I had the kids wear sweats under their uniforms. This season, Jalen is playing too. He was enthralled with the idea of playing soccer. When it came to the actual playing, not so much.

Warming Up

Baylie got right back into the swing of things and was gung ho from the beginning. She scored at least two goals (I missed some of the game due to issues mentioned below), one of which was after she dribbled the ball almost all the way down the field.  

Jalen stuck with it through the first few minutes of warm ups.

But soon he was entertaining himself in other ways.

Perhaps he'll be a goalie.

When it actually came time for him to go into the game, he slumped his shoulders, ducked his head and shuffled onto the field. One time when I finally got him excited to go in, he got in the middle of a pack of kids who were bumping and pushing. He tipped back his head and let forth an angry scream. He continued to scream all the way as he ran off the field. I was so proud. (I was actually laughing my head off and wish I had it on video.)

If you look closely, this is one dejected little boy.

Both Jalen and Baylie enjoy the post-game tunnel run.

Baylie is in red because we had way more players than the other team, so we lent them a couple.

Jalen was devastated to learn that his parents have a philosophy that only kids who play in the game get to have a post-game snack. Despite the fact that we told him this over and over, I don't think he realized he'd actually face the consequence. (I'm probably the meanest soccer mom ever.) After we got home, I had a heart to heart with Jalen about our future Heisman plans and how soccer is just a step on the long road to that ultimate goal. We set some goals and I'm sure he'll be refocused next week. (Actually, I'm hoping he'll play for the snack.)