Done

Soccer has ended for both of our boys. 

I am sure that they are missing it, but I am not missing spending 3 hours at the Holladay Lions Rec center every Saturday.

Canon did so much better this go around.

He only sometimes missed the ball.

At least he was running after the ball...that is...when he wasn't running after his shadow. 

Oh, how I wish I was lying about that.

He learned some of the rules...

And then chose to play as close to breaking them as possible.

He did a better job at playing and paying attention....

Until he lost interest.

Kicking It

At the end of last basketball season Gavin said that he wanted to do soccer instead of playing basketball again. 

I was a little worried for him. He had been playing basketball and was improving. Switching would mean that he would have to learn a new sport and that there would be a lot of kids that had played a lot longer then him. 

No matter. I put my worries aside and signed him up.

Because he is older the game is a lot more structured than...let's say...Canon's soccer games, that are a free for all.

Let me tell you something about Gavin. He is pretty obedient.

On the soccer field, I am sure that is a coach's dream.

He picked it up right away. 

He knows the rules, and where he is suppose to be when he plays a certain position.

One thing we might want to work on?

Maybe, being a little more discreet when someone is losing.

It's like he can't help but gloat.

My question is...What happens when they score 6 goals?

For the other kids, it seems like Gavin's soccer games are a time of reflection.

Of really calming down and 

taking in their surroundings. 

A time to meditate. 

A time to relax.

A time to just let all of their energy go...

and to focus on what is important in their lives.

The important things like improving model poses....

trying to improve your kicks, so you actually kick the ball...

and most of all...

making sure that you always have the upper hand.

End of May

I am sure I sound like a Debby Downer but May is over! 

Can I get an amen?

Mostly we spent the end of the month wrapping things up. 

And we learned some things along the way.

Canon finished up his soccer season.

He is pretty sure that he is a pro now.

I think a little more training is in order.

I am not really sure if he knows what soccer is.

I think him and I might just agree to disagree.

Laney had her ballet performance.

She did good, given her stage fright.

At times she looked like a deer in the headlights.

A valuable lesson was learned: Mom needs to pay more attention to what the flyer says. 

Laney is the only one wearing a bight pink leotard and no ballet skirt. 

You will also notice that Laney is so distracted by everyone looking at her that she can hardly focus.

Blake was gone for a good portion of the month.

For one week he was in California doing his FEMA training.

The kids missed him.

Although they did love playing with his gear. 

   To all of our amazement,

we survived.

Laney graduated Preschool. 

They had a program that they put on.

It was cute, albeit deafening at times.

Don't believe me?

Just listen to Screamy McSreamerson on the left.

-With your volume turned down.-

Consider yourself warned.

Laney can't wait to go to kindergarten.

Gavin ran in a race at school. 

Although he would possibly tell you otherwise, Gavin learned that he would not die from not being able to catch your breath.

We also learned that these two already have their wedding mapped out.

You can't hide love forever.

Penny discovered that not only is Brown baby a good companion but an excellent buffer between the ground and her.

Laney learned that sometimes consequences are not fun, and sometimes hard.

 

If I ever need a replacement we learned that Laney is pretty good at doing Penny's hair.

The month was a little trying at times.

But if we learned anything, 

it is that sometimes that is OK.

Soccer

I am sure the thought process went something like this:
Fully dressed and shin guards on.
Ready to kick butt and take names. Me and this kid are about the same height.
But he is goofing off and I am nothing but concentration. I am gonna show this kid who is the star of the team. See what I mean?
Mad skills. Crap.
This kid is on my team?
I haven't got a chance. I am just gonna show the net who is boss. Or I can get down on all fours and intimidate them with my canine ways. These lines are way better than kicking a dumb ball around.
These lines stay in one place and don't have 11 other kids chasing around after them.
See the other kids in the background?
Yeah, they are on my team too.
I think they don't want to chase a ball they will never touch around either. It is exhausting to not participate.
Really takes it out of you. Good thing they give you snacks at the end.
That may be soccer's only redeeming quality.
Well, that and my new shoes.