Where Would We Be Without Soccer?

Covid was hard, but we were so fortunate that the girls adapted to online school as well as they did. They were learning to work independently and we got good reports from their teachers. But just as important, they got the social interaction and physical activity they needed from soccer. We are so happy that they were able to practice and play all fall. Reese's team maintained its winning ways and she kept working hard. This picture captures her determination and grit quite well. 

The lost spring season in 2020 was tough for Callie because she had high hopes for her team and what they could accomplish. She turned that disappointment into motivation, however, and starting in May she started training regularly. Her first hope was to make a higher team at tryouts. Then tryouts didn't happen, and that motivated her even more to train and develop her skills.

We are happy to report that all of her hard work paid off in the fall season. She had more confidence than ever, and in the first game she scored a goal and almost had a second on a penalty kick. In fact, she went on a streak in which she scored at least one goal in every single game. It was absolutely insane and so fun to watch. She scored off of direct kicks, corner kicks, breakaways, you name it and she did it. It was an incredible season and she earned every bit of that success. You can't ask for much more as parents than to have that combination.

Through it all, we have consistently emphasized to both the girls that we want them to have fun while they are playing. Fortunately, their coaches appeared to be as excited about Halloween as they were. Both the girls had a dress up practice, and when the rain canceled the planned activities they brought it inside to ensure no one missed out on fun and candy.

The older girls were just as goofy as the younger ones, though their choice of costumes illustrated some of the differences in age. Most of Callie's team chose to dress up as characters from the video game Among Us, which is something we definitely didn't understand. But the costumes were simple and the girls liked them, so that's all that matters.