Most Improved Shark

Our {Alekzander's} first season of soccer is complete!

From March to May,

he and his team played in temperatures from 40 degrees to 80 degrees.

Goals were scored against them,

scores were miscalculated by 9 out of 11 Sharks most games,

but no one ever gave up.

This group of U8 players had first class sportsmanship

and an amazing coach who taught them well,

and played them equally and fairly.

Alekzander played all positions and claimed to love being goalie,

although he is fast, fast, fast.

While "shark like" aggression on the field is not natural for him,

Alekzander played hard and played proud.

He helped lead cheers on the sidelines :: "Go Blue Sharks!"

and mastered throw-ins and drop-kicks.

Moms {me} may have lost their voices,

brothers {Anderson} may have wandered on the fields,

and dads {Andrew} may have picked up a new skill set/new sports knowledge.

We also acquired two Size 3 soccer balls, smelly shin guards,

and a blue and black striped jersey.

What's more, we learned lessons about soccer

and got to see Alekzander interact with new friends

and respond to the directions of another adult.

Last night, Alekzander was named "Most Improved Player" 

at the post-practice pizza party,

and was commended for absorbing all of Coach's teaching,

trying all of the positions, and perfecting his spacing on the field.

We are so proud of him for trying, 

and succeeding at, his first team sport.

While it doesn't matter what sport he chooses to play in the future,

for this season, I was proud to be a soccer mom.