I'm totally that mom......

who said after putting her first child in swimming lessons at 2.  t-ball at 3.  ballet at 3.  and piano at 6.  ok, actually I'm ok with piano at 6.  for her.  that I wouldn't waste our time and money on activities like these until the kids were a little older.  and could maybe appreciate and or pay attention.

I'm also the mom who said that I wouldn't over schedule our children.  putting them in multiple activities.

And I'm still not that mom.   Janice is.  :)
She signed the kids up to play soccer.   and although I think the older boys are old enough to enjoy it a little.   I still think it will be a waste of our money.

Sydney has to take piano...but I have given her the option of choosing a second extra-curriculum activity that she might enjoy.
Thus far she's taken gymnastics, dance, swimming lessons are always in there and tennis.  She has now decided to act.   (quite perfect for her really,  not lacking in the dramatics area)
I signed her up with a local musical theater company.   They teach them some dancing, singing and acting....but mostly it's about self esteem and making friends.  It's just a couple of blocks away, once a week and inexpensive.  (see me smiling)

When J asked her if she wanted to play soccer, she of course jumped on it and said yes.   that's when I put my head down, instead of my foot and figured I'd let her try it.

Syd and the littles had their first game today.   No practices.  Just a game.
Yes. you can imagine it.

(cue lights, cue music)
It was MAGICAL.    Nate and Ryan killed the soccer ball.

There was amazing follow through

and precise placement of the ball in the net

uh huh, everything was going great.....but once the actual game started.  when they had to play against other kids......we got that stand in a confused herd thing.   just like I thought.

 The coaches were constantly grabbing them by the shoulders and aiming them towards the other team who seemed to always have the ball.   Ryan came crying off of the field 45 seconds into the game.   The yelling of the crowd to kick the ball was too overwhelming and so he sat in my lap the rest of the game refusing to ever play again.
Nate had NO idea what he was doing.   Half the time he would start walking off of the field because he needed a drink.  He told his coach at one point that he needed crackers and his coach kindly explained that he needed to wait until after the game.
But he played.   Almost the whole time too.

The other team killed them.   I think it was like 6-0.   A little girl named Sarah made 4 of the goals and another little girl made the other 2.  Oh, wait....except one goal our team member made FOR them.  (girls ROCK)
So any ways.

Syd on the other hand.   She's old enough to pay attention and to follow instructions.
I knew that she could take this whole thing seriously.

bomp

chicka  bomp..bomp

bomp bomp

chicka bomp...bomp

her reaction to being caught shaking her groove thing

she got to be goalie for a quarter

"what up yo.."

She was able to be serious and get her head in the game

and was actually super great.  

I really really REALLY think that you should wait until the kids are bit older to sign them up for these kinds of things.    You are just paying for their uniform and trophy.   well and the hysterical laughing and awesome fun pictures.  plus there is that end of game cheering for the other team and giving high fives before heading back to the coach for a juice box, granola bar and pep talk.
yeah.  totally worth it.   :-)
Thursday- The big boys first game.