Intensity

I can't take credit for these photos. They are the product of another great mom from Owen's soccer team. She emailed them to me and I was thrilled. Not only were the colors intense, but so was the subject:
my child--Owen--
the soccer beast.
I loved seeing his focus and drive out on the field. If this is age 3, what's age 4, 7, 12, 17?

Owen the Soccer Mobster

In a rare and never before published interview, this reporter gets inside the head of the star player for the Gilbert Thunder Soccer Team.


Reporter: Owen how has being on this team changed your perception of the game of soccer?


Owen: You know, it used to be so innocent. Me and my dad would kick the ball around in our backyard. It was good times. Life was so uncomplicated, but the field, that's different. Those kids are trying to take the ball away from me!


Reporter: So, when everyone comes to the center of the field to kick the ball, how do you get in the zone?


Owen: Well, I enjoy kicking the ball and then standing there frozen in my kicking stance. Why would I chase after the ball? I'm a star not a rookie. I've proven myself at my "home" field.


Reporter: And what about your critics who say you play a dirty game finding kids who are shorter than you (there are actually kids shorter than him), and pushing them or shaking your fist in their faces? (All of this did occur.)


Owen: I guess those kids should know that I came to kick the ball and if they are going to attempt to kick the ball too, they are going to have to pay.


So, the verdict is left to the people. Is Owen merely the shortest bully you've ever seen on a soccer field or is he pure, uncontrolled talent? His shorts may touch his ankles and his x-small shirt may be large enough to fit his older sister, but he is a threat nonetheless. With no yellow or red cards to be handed out, will this star continue his reign of terror or will his coach finally have to bench his ego for the sake of the whole team?

Owen conferencing with his coach about their strategy.

***This interviewer reserves the right to interpret all actions on the field as actual dialogue.

Guess I'm a Soccer Mom & Wife!

Ryanna's first ever soccer game was yesterday afternoon. Don't ask me why they scheduled a game for 2 in the afternoon since it was 96 degrees. And, don't ask me why they would assign any team to wear black jerseys in the Arizona heat.

Being that I'm the parent that stays home, it has been left to me to buy all of the necessary gear for this soccer endeavor and being that I never played soccer, I was a bit clueless. It involves such things as shin guards, really, really long socks, a size 3 ball and soccer cleats. I guess it also involves some athletic shorts, but I didn't get around to buying those before the baby came and I haven't felt much like shopping for that stuff with three kids. That should explain Ryanna's stretch pants ensemble. Though I think her dad was embarrassed by it, I thought it made it quite easy to spot her in the pack and trust me, there is always a pack when this age plays.

I didn't know what to expect for this game. Ryanna has not been that interested in sports period. I signed her up for soccer for her to have the experience. She's only been to two practices (should've been three, but I forgot in the madness of watching BYU get demolished by TCU on Thursday). Not to mention that Ryanna is pretty mild mannered by nature and sports really require a bit of a pushy and competitive edge.

Well, to my delight, she was awesome!! She was really good at getting to the ball and kicking it in the right direction. This sounds funny, but at this level that is quite a big deal. One boy showed up for the last quarter, got on the field, got possession of the ball and tore down the field and scored in about 10 seconds. Too bad he scored against his own team! Most of the other kids took breaks from the action, but Ryanna played the entire game without being pulled. She loved it. She was disappointed that she didn't score a goal, but I was totally impressed with her efforts.

I also had to laugh when the coach decided to name the team at halftime. Are you ready for this? Her suggestion and the team pick--The Black Panthers! Boy oh boy. Is she going to be attending practices or rallies after this? And to top off the funniness, the boy that was the very best player on the other team was named Cain. Cain--who does that to their child--an atheist?

Owen would've played too if we would've let him. During halftime he took his own soccer ball out to one of the goals and practiced shooting. It was pretty cute.

Eli slept through the entire event--big surprise. He has to sleep because it takes a lot of effort to stay awake all night.

After Ryanna's game, we went to Derek's indoor soccer game (they won). I guess I'm the only one in the family that doesn't play besides Eli and he can't even hold his own head up yet. Oh well, someone needs to be the driver and biggest fan.