Sunday, January 30, 2011

Greg Earns Dad of the Year Award, and Gavin the Soccer Stud

Gavin played his first soccer games on Saturday! We were all very excited, yet disappointed because Greg was in California for some training, and was going to miss it. He was due to get back Saturday afternoon, after Gavin's games. Minutes before we were getting ready to head to the field, I glance out the window and saw Greg's car pulling in the driveway! He went straight to the airport after training ended Friday afternoon and pulled an all-nighter at the airport trying to get on a flight that would get him home in time for Gavin's games. Definitely Dad of the Year in our book!

Gavin LOVES soccer, and I have to admit, I have never been more proud of the kid. He was the most focused, well-behaved kid at his first ever soccer practice on Friday night. When all of the other children where goofing off, Gavin had no part of it. I have never seen him listen so well in his life! He had so much fun at practice, I didn't think he would even sleep that night because of his excitement for his games the next day. And what a day for soccer...74 degrees and sunny!!

Ready to play!

Practicing!

Game time!

Enjoying some fruit between games with his new friend John Dean.

Shaking hands with the other team...a new concept for these boys!


So, I thought I was a competitive person, but we actually saw parents bribing their children to score goals by paying them dollar bills (on the field!) and using candy. These boys are 4! I'm sure it will only get worse as he gets older....

Gavin did a great job (no bribes needed)! He scored the very first goal for his team, and ended up scoring a total of 3 goals, and one own goal :-) Here are some highlights from the games. I would have loved to put the whole video on here...the kids trying to take the game 20 yards off the field, tripping over each other, etc...they are just so cute! You will have to excuse my videographer skills...it turns out it's quite hard to video and watch the game at the same time! Which is why I was filming the grass when Gavin scored his second goal... Also note Grady's mom encouraging Grady to "get the ball" when Gavin had it...Grady and Gavin are teammates! Grady's parents happen to be the ones bribing with candy.



After Gavin played his two games, his coach asked if he would stay and play another with a team that only had two players show up.  Two girls. Gavin was more than happy to play another game. WOW is there a difference between boys and girls! The first play of the game one of the girls started crying because the other team scored a goal. After that she didn't want anything to do with the game. The other girl didn't even start with an interest...she was at the sideline talking to her mom the whole time. So, it was Gavin against the other team. The poor kid didn't stand a chance, but he played his little heart out none the less. After the game he told me he was sad because the other team kept beating him. My sweet, sweet boy! Greg and I are so incredibly proud of him, and we are all excited to see what the rest of the season brings!