Lexie had the opportunity to play soccer for the first time this spring and she really seemed to enjoy herself. We signed up through the YMCA and her team name was the Glory. Luckily for her their color was purple, the only thing that could have been better was pink! She had practice one night a week and then games on Saturday morning.
The first game, really just a scrimmage where no one but the parents in their minds keep score, was pretty rough. The team they played really knew what they were doing and Lexie's team didn't have a clue! They didn't seem to understand that the point was to take the ball from the other team and kick it in a goal to score a point. Fortunately, at the next practice their coach sat down and went over the basic objects of the game and afterwards they improved with each scrimmage.
Lexie really wanted to score a goal, so much so that once the ball would get close to the goal she would take it, yes even from her teammates, and be the one to kick it in the goal! It was pretty hilarious, so then Trey and I had to work with her on being a "team" player and what that entails. She was so proud of herself though every time she would kick the ball into the goal.
One of the things we really loved about playing in the YMCA league was that before each game the kids would gather and pray and once the game was over each kid shook hands with the other team members. It was a good introduction to sportsmanship.
Addie didn't seem to understand why she couldn't play soccer like her big sister so during the scrimmages she kicked around a ball on the sidelines. I'm not going to lie, the kid has excellent hand, eye, foot coordination for a 2 year old, not to mention she is a pretty strong kicker!
And of course Lexie's favorite part of the game, snack afterwards!
Overall it was a pretty good first experience and she is already asking when she can play again.
