...And We're Off!

Soccer is in full swing!  Again, both of the little Little Nguyens chose soccer for their Fall activity this year.  With schoolwork, one activity is enough for each, and although it's often tempting to sign up for more than one, I think it's too overwhelming and then they don't get to just be kids.  Involvement is good, but overscheduling kids is definitely not.

The Little Nguyens are having a lot of fun at weekly practices and playing games on Saturday mornings.  I can't believe how much our little church league has grown over the years!  Benjamin has been playing in it since he was a preschooler, and it now encompasses Pre-K through 4th grade!  That's a lot of playing on that field and a lot of organization! 

The First Little Nguyen has seen lots of action on the field this year.  Several goals during games and practices have really boosted his self-esteem, and he plays even harder with a taste of victory!  Last Spring's soccer fiasco didn't do a lot to make him feel very good about himself.  It was a very inexperienced team playing amongst seasoned teams that had been playing with YMCA league for years together.  It was kinda sad to have an 0-6 season.  :(

 This week, we had team pictures during practice on Tuesday night. There are a few year-round kids on Benjamin's soccer team, and apparently they are all off-track. There are several faces missing from his team photo! I will have to try to get another shot of them after their game on Saturday morning.

 

 Thomas is excited to be playing on the "Bananas" team.  This is the kind of name you end up with when 6-year olds choose!  It makes for GREAT cheers, though!  "Go BANANAS!!" 

 On Wednesday night, right before practice began, the league commisioners called the practice due to lightning and thunder, so there was no time for team photos before everyone had to leave the field.  We will have to gather together after their game on Saturday to get a good shot of them all.  But for now, this one's pretty cute!

SOME year, both of our boys will have soccer practice on the same day.  This year, we practice on both Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, just like last year.  UGH!   It makes having dinner as a family together every night rather challenging, but with a little meal planning, and thanks to the Crock Pot Girls on Facebook, it hasn't been nearly as difficult as I had thought it would be.  One thing our parents always insisted on was dinner together.  Every night.  On plates and not from bags or paper plates.  Chi and I have always stuck with that, and I usually get the table set before we leave for soccer practice so that when the four of us walk in the door, I can literally dish it up and we can eat.  Whew!  Something tells me the craziness will only get crazier as they get older.