Soccer Star

Yesterday was Ryan's last soccer class for the Fall session.  This year, he's in the 3-4 year old program, which differs from the 18 month-3 year old program in that parents are no longer invited to participate.  Previously it was a stretch to call it soccer since it more closely resembled open play.  This time, they've taught a new soccer skill in each of the 6 classes.  They have practiced dribbling, kicking, passing, and even played mini 3-on-3 games that spanned the width of the field.  Yesterday, though, they scrimmaged the full length of the field.  Ryan scored the only goal of the game!  He was quite pleased with himself, especially when he turned around and saw and heard all of the parents applauding and cheering.  I'm doubly excited because it helped boost his confidence and renewed his enthusiasm for the sport. 

Indoor soccer has also become a family bonding activity in our household.  We've set up a makeshift goal using chairs from Ryan's playtable and established bounds of fair play (e.g., we try to avoid areas where someone could get hurt or things could be broken).  Then, using a squishy ball, we challenge each other to one-on-one competitions.  It allows Ryan to practice skills he learned in class, burns off energy since we run loops around the entire downstairs, and provides an opportunity to teach him good sportsmanship since Ryan doesn't like it when Mommy or Daddy score.

Although the photo quality is not ideal, here are a couple of pictures of the next David Beckham in the making.  (Note:  The second photo is Ryan licking the bowl after making his celebratory batch of brownies.)