Photos from the New Camera

R. really really got into the game this week (the first half, anyway--after that he kinda lost interest--he sort of becomes like a mascot). He took the ball all the way down the field, and would have scored all by himself, but one of his teammates, who is faster, took the ball from him and kicked it in. R. was very proud, though, because last week, S. told him all about how the "assist" is way more important that the actual kicking the goal. He came straight off the field this week and told me "Mommy! I got another assist!" Good job Dad!!!

Still haven't gotten any GREAT shots of N. I get SO excited watching him play, that I forget to put the camera to my face until it is too late. These shots are OK, but they definitely don't do justice to the grace that the child has. By the way--he can punt from the 18 past midfield. (I TOLD you he's good!)

The precious little fan! He is such a good sport and is so well behaved at the soccer fields all day! He gets to paint his hair in the colors of BOTH big boys teams, so that makes everything pretty great! He always wears his cleats too--just in case someone might need a sub!

The beauty of watching my husband coach my children continues to bring me to tears. It is just rec league soccer. They are only 4 and 8 years old. I know that. Maybe it is the fact that this is not likely to be possible ever again. Maybe it is that I will never get to do it, since we don't have girls. Maybe it is how I can SEE him being a great parent in the way he talks to them, uses the right words at the right time to build them up--never, ever, ever to embarrass or demean them. Maybe it is that I think so many different life lessons can be learned through sports, and I love that he is teaching them. I don't know what it is. But I really really love it. I see them in photos like this and I am reminded of what a great man he is. I will be so proud if, when they are grown, someone says to them "You remind me of your daddy."