We signed Elle up for a little Fall soccer program called the Mini Kickers. She was so excited on her first day.
Here she is at home before we left. On the drive to her first day of soccer we listened to "Let It Go" really really loud (per her request) to get her pumped up.
Once we got there she received her uniform and ball. She looked so cute!!!
She did great the first day, was so excited to run and kick the ball. She kicked, dribbled and ran her little heart out! She actually ran her diaper off (for reals).
Well....she peaked on the first day. :)
Every session after was a struggle to get her to participate. She wanted nothing to do with her coaches (they were guys and she later informed me she prefers a girl coach). Instead of focusing on all the things that didn't go super smoothly her first go around with soccer, these are the things she loved:
Wearing her uniform
she loved loved loved getting to wear her uniform every Tuesday. She would have worn it every day of the week if I had let her!
she loved loved loved getting to wear her uniform every Tuesday. She would have worn it every day of the week if I had let her!
Her soccer ball
as part of the package she received a ball with Lenny the Lion (their mascot) on it. She got to decorate the ball and add her name to it and she loved all of this.
as part of the package she received a ball with Lenny the Lion (their mascot) on it. She got to decorate the ball and add her name to it and she loved all of this.
Running around with mommy
some kids were ok on their own without parents but a good chunk participated with parents. Elle was obviously in the latter category. Many drills they did were with a parent but Elle's favorite and the one she most easily participated in was running around chasing me at the beginning of practice to warm up. On the days Eric was there I tried to warm her up to idea of daddy going on the field with her but she insisted on mommy. :)
some kids were ok on their own without parents but a good chunk participated with parents. Elle was obviously in the latter category. Many drills they did were with a parent but Elle's favorite and the one she most easily participated in was running around chasing me at the beginning of practice to warm up. On the days Eric was there I tried to warm her up to idea of daddy going on the field with her but she insisted on mommy. :)
Going to the bathroom
this soccer program was right in the middle of potty training for us. Whenever she didn't want to participate...she had to go to the bathroom...and I always felt like I had to take her even if I thought she was fibbing! We started the program in diapers and ended it in undies!!
this soccer program was right in the middle of potty training for us. Whenever she didn't want to participate...she had to go to the bathroom...and I always felt like I had to take her even if I thought she was fibbing! We started the program in diapers and ended it in undies!!
Her number one fan, Oliver!
Some weeks I would take both kids by myself and Ollie would just hang out on the sides in his stroller while Elle and I played. Lucky for me he is a very easy baby! And Elle loved running over to check on him...in the middle of a drill. ;)
Some weeks I would take both kids by myself and Ollie would just hang out on the sides in his stroller while Elle and I played. Lucky for me he is a very easy baby! And Elle loved running over to check on him...in the middle of a drill. ;)
The last day
by the end we were both ready for it to be over! The last day the coaches invited all family and friends to participate so Mary (who happened to be off that day), the boys, my mom and dad and Eric and Ollie all came to watch. Elle did so great with the drills because she was able to do them with Henry and Charlie! Seriously, this made a world of difference.
by the end we were both ready for it to be over! The last day the coaches invited all family and friends to participate so Mary (who happened to be off that day), the boys, my mom and dad and Eric and Ollie all came to watch. Elle did so great with the drills because she was able to do them with Henry and Charlie! Seriously, this made a world of difference.
Overall I am so glad we did this. Elle isn't around other kids (besides Hens, Bear and Ollie) too much so she needs things like this. She still loves playing soccer in the backyard and I think we will sign her up for an actual team next year (fingers crossed for a female coach!).
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