Make-Up Game

Saturday was wild, so Sunday was supposed to be a day of rest. Shane showed Mommy his plant and Pokemon pot, we went to church, and stayed in for much of the morning.

John gave Shane a pair of books last night before we left and asked him to "test read" them. Between that and the pictures, Shane got into it! He said Sam was a big fan of some books related to the ones John gifted us.

It rained off and on all day and, to my surprise, the make-up soccer game was never called off. "Don't go," Carrie asked......but then she fell asleep, so Shane and I went! It's hard to wake up a napping mom if you're not even home!

The field was mostly passable with some clear swimming holes to avoid.

Jonas was still out of town, so Shane volunteered for goalie again! After yesterday, I thought he'd sipped from that cup and had his fill.

He was much improved from last game. He charged out a few times to attack people driving toward the goal and acted braver in general. He's still relying on his legs and is shy about contact anywhere else, but he pays more attention to the game as a goalie than he does anywhere else. I may have to buy gloves for next season.

The game went similarly to yesterday. The other team didn't have as many standout players, but they were good across the board and seemed bigger, faster, and older. Some of Shane's teammates were less than helpful with their criticism and comments whenever he missed a save. A few were warranted, but an 8 year old playing goalie for the second time ever stands little chance versus unblocked attackers (The other team had one kid basically sit in position offsides at all times - Smart play to teach the value of positions when there's no offsides penalty). 

We lost 8 to 2. It would have been 6 to 2, but two of our kids scored on our own goal! One was fighting and defending the goal and seemed to get swept away and kicked it in! The other time, Anthony looked like he was kicking it out of bounds away from an attacker, so Shane stood still in the middle of the goal. Anthony's kick hooked left and went in with both Shane and Anthony looking dumbfounded. They started to blame each other while all the adults were laughing or (as in my case) trying to smother the laughs before they bubbled up.

Lots of learning happened. About position play and about trying to take a shirt off while holding something.

Carrie sent us a text that there were a bunch of kids out playing soccer in the neighborhood as we left. We arrived mid-party.

Will was celebrating completing his three years of residency! There were multiple families over including the city high school's principal.

Shane invited himself to join the party.

He fit right in. He was the oldest kid present, so he felt like a real stud playing goalie for them and popping bubbles.

He walked straight into Will and Mikaela's house at one point. When I trailed in his wake, all of the adults were cracking up and asked about our trip to NoVA yesterday. Shane had been telling them all about it.

"And the best part," one woman said, "Was how he said, 'My dad and John are in a huge relationship! They've known each other since middle school!'"

Kids say some of the funniest things. I laughed along with everyone and promised to tell Carrie.

When I went in the house, I found Shane on the couch lecturing a future doctor on Pokemon cards. He offered to bring some decks for McCall (sp?) to play a game with, but I nixed it. Undaunted, Shane grabbed some Pokemon cards during a potty break and ran to share them.

I felt a little more awkward with the whole process. Everyone was clearly friends and no one was unwelcoming, but it's not like we were invited. Will and Mikaela seem like the laid back type who would welcome anyone in the neighborhood, but since there was no heads up I didn't want to assume. I ended up in a few funny conversations, but mostly tried not to intrude.

Unless, I needed to parent of course. I don't know why Shane thought everyone playing basketball wanted someone to run up, 'umbrella dance,' and try to cover their faces from behind while they were shooting. I don't know why he didn't get the hint from the "Stop it's!" either.

Funny fact: Whenever anyone takes their shirt off, Shane is quick to join the party. He looks like he's spider man in this picture!

Shane likes to play around, but he prefers to make up his own games rather than follow anyone else's rules. He marches to his own drum.