Soccer Weekend.

This weekend we participated in our first Vista Storm soccer tournament.

The Storm is a club soccer team here in Vista. Seamus' upcoming sixth grade year seemed like a good time to join so we wrote numerous checks and got him on board with the U-11 boys team. For a few weeks this summer, it didnt look like there would be a team. Apparently the U-10 team did very well last year but when the coach decided play for another club, he took all his players with him. This year, there is a brand new coach (Coach Chris) and an entirely new team of 10 and 11 year old boys. With the exception of one player, all the boys on Seamus' team are new to the Storm. This is their first year playing club ball. Unlike most of the Storm teams, Seamus' U-11 team is truly starting off from scratch. They are still figuring out who will be good at what positions and learning to play together as a unit.

Given the previously stated facts, it was understandable that they didnt do well in the tournament. On the first day, they lost all their games to established teams with more experience. I think it was hard for some of the boys. But on the second day, the team rallied and won their first and only tournament game. Woooo hooooo! Not only was it exciting for the boys, but it was also thrilling for the parents who were experiencing their first taste of club soccer.

Seamus played well this weekend. I just love to watch him play. Soccer - being such a fast paced and physically active game -seems like a natural sport for his personality and strengths. Although his skills need some honing, he never gave up in any of the games and he hustled up and down that field like a madman. I was very proud of him. This weekend one of the parents on our team nicknamed him "the mosquito" because he pestered the heck out of the opposition and never gave up in his pursuit for the ball. Matt and I thought the nickname was quite fitting.

Next weekend we have another tournament and Matt and I have learned what is necessary to pack and what isnt. I completley over packed on Saturday, but on Sunday we had streamlined the process down to the bare essentials. Dama Shan will be in town this week so she'll be able to watch Seamus play. I know she enjoys seeing the boys' activities so this next tournament is perfectly planned. Also, Finn will be joining us again. He sat for hours and hours this weekend watching his brother's games- not an easy feat for an 8 year old in Temecula heat. The games this weekend were the first of the season, so I dont think he realized what he was getting into. As the games continue Im sure we'll encounter lots of resistance on his part. We'll have to find some alternative day care scenarios for him. But he honestly did remarkably well this weekend: very little complaining and no tears. I was very proud of him too.


Happy Monday!