Soccer

Sydney decided she wanted to take gymnastics this spring, so we let Jaxy try his feet at soccer.

He played on a team of 3 & 4 year olds at our local YMCA. They had 24 teams with 9 players each. Jaxy's team was the Stallions. At this age, they play either 3 on 3, or 4 on 4, depending on what the coaches decide.

They only play on Saturdays for one hour. They have a 30 minute "practice" and then a 30 minute game. Jaxy loved his first practice! He and Donnie kicked the ball around, took shots at the goal, dribbled across the little field...whatever the coach instructed. Each player had their own ball during practice.

Then it was time to start the game. The coach asked who wanted to play first, and Jaxon's hand flew up the fastest. He was so excited...and then he realized that there was only one ball for 6 little kids, and people would push you down to get a chance to kick said ball.

The first time he went down hard, he was ready to go home :) He wasn't so excited after that.

Fast forward five weeks, and things began to change. We showed up for his game, and only two other players an one coach were there. With only three players, everyone had to play the whole time. Donnie was unable to be there, so it was up to Sydney and I to motivate Jaxon.

I promised him we would go to Menchie's (a frozen yogurt place he loves) if he would be a good teammate and play the whole time. He did a great job, and even started trying to kick the ball away from the other kids. By the end of the game, he was doing a great job of kicking, but he would kick the ball down the field and then stop and not follow it all the way.

Finally, by game number six, Jaxon was excited to go in to play. He would not only kick the ball, but kick it away from the other kids too. Then he would actually stay with it and dribble it down the field. At one point, it was Jaxon versus 4 kids from the other team, because his teammates were not interested in playing (it was really hot!).

Jaxon scored 5 goals! He was so happy and had such a great time. At the end of the year party they gave all of the kids medals, and he thought that was the coolest thing ever. We were so proud of him, and the progress he made!

BUT he said he wants to try gymnastics next time.