Goooallllllll!

Not only was it the big first day of school this week, but it was also Jack's first soccer match last weekend. He had two lame practices in preparation for the actual game, which consisted one week of a circle of kids kicking the ball to each other and another week where they had no coach, so he kicked the ball around with Josh and his uncle Thabu.

The day before the big game, Josh and I decided we needed to start some serious training. We figured a regimen of two-a-days, wind sprints and dribbling drills would be a good way to start. But then we realized we would have to show him how to do the wind sprints and that would really suck, so we took him to the park for some one-on-one instruction instead. We took his goal and ball that he usually uses in the house to the park and kicked it around for an hour. And yes, Josh lets our kids play full-out soccer in the house. Also, T-ball. Which Mommy doesn't allow because the ball hits the flat-screen and Mommy doesn't want to replace it.

When we showed up for the game bright and early Saturday, ours was the only kid running laps on the track. I mean we didn't make him, he asked! Who am I to deny a vigorous pregame warm-up? By the time the team picture was over, Jack was raring to go.



There are 10 kids on each 3-year-old team and the rule is five of the children play 10 minutes, then they have halftime and the other five kids play the second half. Jack started off the game and on the first possession, this was the result:



Seriously, look at the ball-handling skill on that kid. He scored on TWO goalies. I am seeing Adidas contracts in our future.

Emmie apparently doesn't think Jack is all that, as she refused to watch him play and instead spent her time ignoring him and sitting on the track. She likes Ronaldo and can't be bothered to cheer for anyone else. That's the Brazilian Ronaldo, not the other one.



A few plays later, he scored AGAIN. If he's going to play like this, we need a celebration move. I am taking suggestions, if you have anything clever. Ripping his shirt off and running downfield is so 1999.



Then, when the second half started, they asked if he wanted to play goalie. Yep, my kid doesn't sit. He's that good. Guess who blocked two shots on goal, shutting the other team out for a 3-0 victory?



We'll be stepping up the instructional time from now on, getting him a private coach to work on advanced heading and dribbling techniques. I figure he'll be ready to move up to the 4-year-old division next week just so he doesn't get bored. He also travels with his own personal fan club.



Clearly, my worries about him not inheriting my athletic ability were unfounded. Thank God he takes after me. (Although my family would tell you he's a lot faster than me already. And I can admit my one weakness; speed is not my gift. Good thing I batted left-handed because I was already one step closer to first base on that side of the plate.)