Cade's Big Week: Part I -- Soccer

My little man is growing up.

He had quite a big week last week, in the six-year old scheme of things. We just finished up his first season playing organized soccer. Unfortunately, it wasn't really organized. Our coach didn't really show up or provide practices, so the rest of the parents just kind of filled in as needed.  We did have 2 games a week for about a month and they truly were the highlight of my Spring. I loved watching him play. 

Cade, we are discovering, is much like his father. He is very competitive. He hates losing.  Lucky for him, his team creamed the opposition his first two games. Cade was on top of the world. Soccer was so much fun!  Then the next two games Cade's team got creamed and he was in pieces. Cade would break into sobs after each goal was scored against his team.  It was hard knowing what to do. Do you deny your child of their feelings and tell him to stop crying, that he's being silly? After a few games of bringing home an absolutely miserable child who hated soccer and never wanted to play ever again and a few "it doesn't matter if you win or lose it's how you play the game..." talks, I had resolved this is what I was going to have to deal with. You know, until he grew out of this phase (heaven help me, I think Kyle was about 12 when he grew out of it) or until his team won, whichever came first. I began silently hoping at each game that Ethan (the best player on his team) would show up. If Ethan was there, they always won.

watching her big brother play soccer...

During the final two games last week something miraculous happened. No, Ethan did not come. Cade's team was totally oblitorated, but Cade had  blast!  NO TEARS WERE SHED! Hallelujiah. He still didn't like losing, but he didn't let it ruin his day. The best part was him scoring two goals in the last 2 minutes of his final game. A great way to finish the season.

Some other highlights...

During Cade's first soccer game, he got kicked in the knee and it hurt. He resolved to wearing knee pads the next time he played. It was hilarious.

Savvy's favorite part of the soccer season was the post-game treat. Though it was only meant for the players, somehow she always managed to come home with one for herself.

Aunt Dee, Tyler and Luke braved his final game in the freezing cold. You could tell by Cade's grin that he was on top of the world because they had come to watch him play. You can imagine his disappointed face when he realized that they left right before he scored his goals.

Cade's favorite part of the season (aside from scoring goals) was playing in the pouring rain. I think that was my favorite game to watch. Savvy and I huddled under a blanket and attempted to stay dry, watching Cade run around in the cold rain with a smile the size of Texas on his face.