Soccer

 This week we tried something new....cotton candy.  Here is Luke is sampling some cotton candy for the first time

Liam was by far the cleanest after the cotton candy, but he really didn't have much competition

Aiden's cotton candy

The coach asked Luke and Liam to be partners and they put their arms around each other.  I missed the picture but it was really cute.

Going after the ball

Liam waved to me several times and wanted me to watch him

Luke and Liam have shown an interest in playing soccer for several months now.  After dinner, we often go into the backyard and Luke sets out the cones to make a goal and gets the soccer ball.  Luke loves to be goalie and has already figured out that the goalie gets to stand while everyone else runs up and down the field (hence the reason he enjoys playing goalie).  Liam is quite the runner and goes after most (if not all) of the stray balls.  So, they make a good team while Liam runs and Luke stands in the goal! 

When I looked into some type of soccer camp or small recreational league for kids their age, I was surprised to find out that soccer really doesn't start until they are about 5 1/2 or 6 years of age.  Why people would consider baseball/t-ball to be an easier sport for 4 year olds to learn is beyond me, but I guess it isn't too surprising considering that they teach hockey/ice skating beginning at 3 years of age in Minnesota!  It seems easier to me to run and kick a ball than to swing a hard bat and hit a small ball.  Soccer also moves a little faster so it keeps their attention.  Most of the time when we play baseball, Luke is picking the grass or sitting in the outfield.  

I finally ran across a small soccer camp for 4-6 year olds at the fitness center where the boys took swimming lessons over the winter so we signed up Luke and Liam.  They could not be happier with the idea.  They really thought we would be going everyday this week until I convinced them it was only once a week until the end of August.  Luke and Liam also asked if I would sit and cheer for them while they played and give them water at the breaks.  Hilarious!  They wanted to wear these blue jerseys we had from something else for their "soccer game" because they felt like they needed to have numbers on their shirts.  In true Minnesota fashion, it was "too hot" to practice soccer outdoors so they played in the gymnasium.  Honestly, it was pretty hot on the day of their lesson, but Minnesotans have no idea what "hot" really is!!