Last week was a big week around here, one that we had anticipated for quite some time. Ever since Jonathan first started showing interest in games and sports, he has wanted to play soccer. So I decided to sign him up for a Tot Soccer Camp hosted by the City of Eugene. Boy was he excited to go! He had his soccer outfit (thanks, Gamma and Gampa), his own ball and shin guards (thanks to friend, Karen), and lots of energy. H was set. The week had everything going for it: not only did Jonathan get to play soccer, but Daddy got to come for the first day of camp, then Gamma was coming down to watch him for a couple of days, AND he still got to go to his favorite swimming lessons (watch for a post soon!). Sunday night was a sleepless one, as Jonathan counted down the hours until his first day of Soccer Camp.
Determined to be the best player on his Tot team, Jonathan quickly set out to distinguish himself from the rest of the team. Of course, as we learned at his first track meet, his ways are not always conventional. :) Instead of focusing on kicking the best or farthest, or listening the closest, Jonathan decided to simply befriend Coach Tina and stay by her side the whole time. He made a good assistant coach the first day (with a little help from Daddy just to get up the courage to head out on the field).
Tuesday was a little colder and wetter. Mommy got a taste of what it feels like to be a soccer mom: standing in the rain watching her miserable child just try to follow directions and keep a smile on his face. Jonathan made a new friend on Tuesday, Jada, and they stuck together most of the rest of the week. Today Jonathan learned how to stop the ball with his foot and how to dribble it around the cones. He also learned that a cone and a ball together make what looks like a really big ice cream cone!
Wednesday was Gamma's first taste of Soccer Camp. Jonathan now had a new distraction on the field. It was a cool morning and Gamma's snuggles are super warm. :) He also learned a little more about being on a team as they circled up, put their hands in the middle, and all yelled soccer together. He loved it! Uhm, he also learned that soccer balls aren't very easy to lay down on, but it's still worth a shot.
On Thursday, Mommy and Gamma were treated to a rainy start while Jonathan protested a bit and decided he was done with Soccer Camp. He didn't want to kick the ball anymore, so he decided to simply sit on the line instead of playing some of the games. Mommy even had to walk him back out on the field at one point. His busy week was beginning to take a toll on him, but he still managed to make his very first goal! He also managed to set the trend by sitting on his ball on the sidelines. Lots of other kids joined in, making Jonathan feel like a leader (even if he was leading them to do the wrong thing. ;))
Friday was celebration day. After much bribery at home, Jonathan was willing to get in the car and go to one last day of Soccer Camp. It's a good thing he did! He made a couple of goals, passed the ball to other kids, and was given a yummy popsicle at the end of camp.
What a busy week for our little guy. He did well, considering how overwhelmed by it all he seemed. And though he protested, though he wouldn't leave the coach's side, though he whined and whined once he got to camp each day, he still asked to go back this week.
Maybe it was the cheering on from the sidelines that won him over:
I'm not sure about a future career in soccer for our little man, but he sure did a great job for his first try. And if nothing else, he was certainly the cutest little soccer player on the field.
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