That's All You Want?

Last day of soccer today.  It's been fun.  We got off to a shaky start with Mitchell, but it only took a couple weeks for his true colors to show through his attitude.  As you can see from the pictures, he even changed his mind about the uniform!  He decided that he actually does have an imagination and it was fun to pretend to be a shark or a race car or a booger or whatever the heck they do out there.

Ben rocked the field with his shaggy hair and sweet soccer shoes.  Although not always the most coordinated or focused player on the team, he had a great attitude and was clearly loving his coaches and the game in general.  

After their last class today, I took them to McDonald's for a post-game treat.  They have just discovered the concept of a drive-through and much prefer that to actually going inside (awesome!).  As we sat in line, I asked what they wanted.  Ben asked for his very own pop!  I tried to clarify, making sure he knew he was not getting that on top of a milk shake, certain he didn't quite understand, but he was positive: a Coke is what he wanted.  That's it.  "I want my very own Coke like daddy drinks and I don't want to only have a sip and I don't want to have to share it."  Mitchell, of course, quickly echoed the same thoughts, so a couple dollars later, we have the cheapest special treat ever!  Two tiny Cokes, coming up!  

Soccer: Part 2

Well, our second attempt to get Mitchell to play soccer was a bit more successful - just a bit.  We began by not requiring him to wear his uniform, and then got there a bit early and let Ben run around with Mitchell on his field before classes started so that he could get him a bit more excited about it.  So far, so good.  Mitchell was running, kicking, jumping around, making a goal or two, and actually smiling!  With high hopes for the actual class, we took Ben over to his own field, where he quickly joined in with the other kids.  

Left on his own without his own little coach to keep him moving, he sort of...lost his energy.  He forgot all the "cool moves" he was talking about showing the other kids, and how he was going to be "fast like Ben" and just kind of did his own thing out there.  On the positive side, he didn't cry at all, and he didn't require one of us to actually drag him around.  By the end of the hour, he was actually beginning to listen and follow directions and actually run and kick a bit.  Who would have thought a little boy would need encouragement to run and jump and kick!  But I am encouraged by his progress and think in another week or two, he will be having just as much fun as Ben out there.  

After practice, Ben quickly downed his entire water bottle and wanted me to feel how sweaty he was from all his exercise.  As we were walking out to the car, he grabbed Mitchell's hand and asked him how he did this time and if he had fun and remembered to be the fastest and be a good listener.  They walked to the car together this way, deep in conversation about how proud Ben was of Mitchell and how excited they were for the promised ice-cream cones.  

A Brotherly Pep Talk

Tomorrow is Saturday, which means another try at soccer.  Once again, Mitchell is all talk about all the "cool tricks" he is going to show the other kids on the field tomorrow.  He has been demonstrating all the silly spin moves and flying kicks and generally crazy moves he wants to show the other kids and coaches tomorrow (not sure what they have to do with soccer, but any show of energy is better than the cry-fest of last week!)

At dinner tonight, we were having a family discussion about soccer tomorrow and what is expected of each boy and how fun it will be, when Ben raised his hand and asked to be heard (one of the lovely habits he picked up in school this year.)  He asked if he and Mitchell could have some "alone time" so that he could find out why Mitchell cried so much last week and if he could "fix it for tomorrow."  I'm not sure what exactly they talked about, as they had to be alone to have this little pep talk, but it sure was cute to see Ben pull Mitch aside, put his arm around him and encourage him in quiet voices about the upcoming soccer practice.  They returned to us full of positivity that Mitchell would indeed play the game tomorrow and listen to his coaches, not make mommy play with him and run faster than all the other kids, "just like Ben does!"  Ben, you and your brother have a connection only best friends can have.  

No Time For Pictures Anyways

Today was the first day of soccer for Ben and Mitchell!  Matt, the boys, and I have been so excited about this.  I have really been looking forward to my boys starting sports and going to games and cheering them on and taking tons of pictures as usual.  I have a house full of boys - this is what they love, right?  So when we showed up, got their cute little uniforms on them and got them to the correct fields, you can imagine my frustration with myself for forgetting my camera on such a momentous occasion!  

Well, it turns out I would not have been able to snap a picture even if I had brought it.  Between getting Jack fed, cheering on Ben and keeping him from mowing over the smaller kids his age, and dragging Mitchell around the field, forcing him to participate, I think a camera may have gotten in the way a bit.  

Ben was a superstar.  I'm not sure he followed the rules exactly, but he was all energy and excitement and general athleticism.  With a huge grin on his face, he participated, listened, followed direction, had a great time, and took about 13 water breaks so that he could use his cool new water bottle with his name on it that they gave him.

Mitchell...well, let's just say he wasn't quite so into it.  One look at that uniform and it was all down hill from there.  If I had known it would set him off like it did, I certainly would have let him play in - well anything other than that!  I figured I'd keep my temper in check better than Matt would, so I sent him over to watch Ben and hold Jack while I busily ran around, hopped up and down, and raced with 3-year-olds, all dragging my sobbing child by the hand and trying to show him how much fun it was.  (I think possibly the program was designed for small children, not adults.)  I must have looked pretty ridiculous out there, hopping around and kicking balls at tiny people and pretending to swim away from sharks, and the like.  Mitchell's tearful excuse for not playing that particular game was, "But mommy, I don't know how to swim and there are not sharks in here anyways!"  Some other parents let their scared or shy kids sit and watch, but that's not our style and we are determined to make him like this game, darn it!  

I am hoping for a better outcome next weekend, but will at least remember to bring my camera - even if all I manage to capture is a miserable, tear-stained little boy dragging his feet at every turn.