September and Soccer

We had a wonderful September! It was the start of soccer season and our first soccer experience with our girls. Even though it ended in November I am including it in this post as part of our soccer post. September seemed to go by in a flash with soccer starting, school going on for both girls and Claire turning one. Wow!

Kate is ready for her first soccer practice!

Kate's first practice. Way to go, Kate!

In September, Zack took out the reminder of what was left of our hot tub. He did an awesome job clearing it out! Kate and Carly always say Daddy can fix anything and they are right!

Thank you Zack!

Now to Carly's first soccer practice. She wanted to wear her this and I thought it was so cute I didn't care.

And another soccer practice.

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Zack's assistant principal, Jana, gave Claire this for her birthday. It is still a fun toy for her. 

Aubrey went with me to pick up Kate from school one day. She has since done this a couple of times when Kamara has come over to play for a play date. She loves it and it is a great surprise for Kate. Kate was showing her all her things in her purse. These two are growing up too fast!

Here Carly is after she got her bangs cut. 

Carly enjoying her time with Mommy making a cake.

First soccer game for both girls. They looked so cute!

Carly's coach was really trying to help her feel comfortable on the field. She is doing a good job listening.

Go Swipers!

Shortly after this Carly was crying and did not want to play anymore.

We missed Carly's team picture day due to kids being sick and Zack being out of town. So, this is the only team picture we have at the end of their first game.

Kate's first soccer game. Go Pink Thunder! Kate was a little unsure of herself at the first game, too. Both girls greatly improved throughout the season.

This was Carly's second game. She did so much better! She almost made a goal! Mom Mom and Dad Dad along with Aunt Lauren, Uncle Jason, Cole and Emie were there to support her, too.

Go Carly!

We had such a proud moment as parents to then see Carly get Swiper the Monkey for her improvement at the game. Each game the Coaches gave Swiper to a player for how they played or their improvement. He said some nice words about Carly and gave it to her at the second game. She was so proud of it and wanted to take it every where for the next week. It was great that we had family there to witness it, too.

Uncle Jason playing with Claire.

Kate is all dressed up for picture day at her school and Carly is dressed cute for her preschool day.

Nana and Papa came to see Carly and Kate play soccer, too. Carly's coach said we did not have to have her in shin guards so we no longer made her. It was such a battle every time and it just was not worth it. It was great having Nana and Papa there!

Good job Carly!

Go Kate! Way to get in there!

Nana and Claire

I think Kate enjoyed the sidelines and visiting with friends just as much as playing soccer on the field.

The Coaches had wash clothes that were damp and cold for the girls to put on their heads to cool off. 

Here are some pictures from Carly's last game. As you can tell she was having fun.

I am proud of her for staying on the field and trying to kick the ball at times. She also enjoyed teaching her tricks to friends. Ha! 

Look at that focused face!

This is my personal favorite. Where is the rest of the team you ask? Oh don't worry. They are on other side of the field playing soccer. 

Soccer in Summary: I am glad that we had the girl's try a team sport. We started Carly because we wanted her to feel like she could join in something that Kate was doing. In a couple of years we will try it again with Carly. If Kate wants to do it again we will let her, but we are not going to force it. There are other team sports that we want to try, too. There was huge progress from the beginning of the soccer season till the end. Did they love it? No. Did they like it? They liked it ok. They asked all season long when they could do gymnastics instead. However, Kate made some good friends and those friendships have continued. I am so glad we did it because it helped us get to know some other families and Kindergarten students at Kate's school. That was a huge blessing. 

Claire playing out front with Daddy and the girls. When the weather is nice it is quite common for Zack to take the girls out front to play and climb the tree. This is a treat for all of us. I am usually cleaning up the dishes while he is watching them. 

Claire was chewing on a tiny banana counter. She was loving this because Mommy does not let her put these things in her mouth.


We had a wonderful September!