Looking For a Gift for Your Soccer Fan?

At least once every night, you will hear the squeak of my husband’s desk chair as he leans back, and yells, “HEY!  This house is not a GYMNASIUM!” 

Sometimes I hear it several times.  Such is life with boys. 

Because my boys can’t walk anywhere with out dribbling a ball as they go.

That said, I wouldn’t normally encourage them to risk their lives by actually setting up goals in the hallway, lol!  However, this set of nets, the Rukket’s Grasshopper 2x3 Nets, cries out to be used inside.  CRIES OUT, I tell you.  Especially when it’s muddy, cold and wet outside and the boys are driving me up a wall.

The nets are actually the perfect size for accuracy drills and 1v1 with small balls. 

We’ve been using them for several weeks now--mostly inside.  (Before my husband get’s home from work, of course!)  ;) Surprisingly, there is actually less thumping in the hall because my guys like to use a small ball instead of a full-size soccer ball.  It’s true! 

So, fellow soccer Moms, this might actually be a gift you won’t regret giving, lol! 

Here are some pros and cons of the net set for you to consider:

Pros…

• Comes with TWO nets, each 2ftx3ft, as well as a carry bag and stakes.
• Can be used inside or outside.
• Easy to set up—just pop them up and stabilize with the side triangles.
• Very lightweight.
• Sturdy spring steel frames—NOT fiberglass.
• Reasonably priced!  Just $39.00 for the set right now.
• Holes in the net are tiny enough that you can use small balls—like little NERF or tennis balls—something that is really good for improving foot skills.  Or for using inside.

Cons…

• The nets are hard to fold back up.  It’s not impossible.  However, it takes quite a bit of arm power to fold the sides in on themselves.  My 10 year old hasn’t been able to do it yet.

These Rukket Goals are perfect for beginning soccer players.  But, honestly, they would be a great gift for any soccer fan no matter what age or skill level.  

Of all the nets my family has used, this is their favorite.

Be sure to check out Rukket’s complete line of soccer goals.   They make some pretty awesome and well designed nets! 

Please note:  Rukket was kind enough to send us a set of nets to review.  But as always, the opinions expressed here are totally our own.

Grasshopper 4'x6' Soccer Goal by Rukket

Anybody for some back yard soccer?  Well, come on over! The fall soccer season may be over, but soccer never ends in our back yard!

To that end, Rukket has developed another soccer goal and has graciously allowed my family to share it with our club (and you!) and to put it to the test! 

As with the first Rukket net we reviewed, the Grasshopper 4’x6’ Goal appears to be well-made.

It arrived disassembled in a tall skinny box.  It wasn’t the easiest thing to put together.  It definitely helped to have one person feed the poles through the sleeves, and one on the floor guiding the ends into the elbow fittings.  Thankfully, you only have to do that for the initial set up.  After that, you simply fold and store, or unfold and play.

Our U10 team was the first to try it out and they loved it! They learned very quickly, however, that Rukket provides stakes for a reason.  :)Although the net stayed in place better when pinned down, they still needed to reposition it frequently and push the stakes back down (soft ground, maybe?).  But that’s pretty much expected with any portable net.  Plus, the sign of a great shot is how far the net moves, right?  Lol! My high school players also put it to the test.  Since they have used all kinds of nets, I asked them for some honest feedback.  If there is one thing I’ve come to expect, it’s brutal honesty from teenagers. Here are the pros and cons they listed:

Pros…

1. Really light weight
2. Well made
3. Easy to setup/fold down
4. Material seems nice
5. Good size
6. Perfect for subdivisions that don’t have huge yards, or where a permanent net might not be permitted
7. Could be used indoors.
8. Has two side pockets in which water bottles or other things can be placed to weight the net down (for indoor use or where you can’t use stakes)
9. Comes with 4 stakes.

Cons…

1. A pain to initially put together.  But no more than with any other net that has sleeves and poles—and you only have to do it once.
2. Stakes don’t hold well if a player blasts the ball.  We found it works best though when we put the front two stakes on the strap across the goal at each corner. 
3. Still fairly large when all folded up. 

I agree that it’s still pretty big when folded up.  Note the measurements above. It just  barely fit in the back of my Subaru Outback with the top of the net resting on the back head rest.  However, it easily fit in the back of my Expedition.  I share that so you will have a realistic expectation about how you will use it and whether or not it will fit in your vehicle for a game at the park.

Because of it’s size--both set up and folded--we think this goal is best suited for back yard soccer.  I love that it’s fairly big, yet easily folds flat for storage when it’s not in use!  Mowing around big heavy nets is highly overrated, lol!

I would definitely recommend this net to friends.  Keep up the good work Rukket!  And thank you for making a product that encourages kids to go out back and practice what is fast becoming a major sport in America!

Rukket was kind enough to send us a net to review.  But as always, the opinions expressed here are totally our own.

Please Allow Me To Ramble On For An Entire Post and Share Random Highlights Of Our Summer As I Fall Woefully Short Of Organizing Any Thoughts…

I hate that it’s been so long since I’ve posted here.  Summer went and flew away before I could lasso it and slow it down.  :)

In June, we took a trip to Pennsylvania and Maryland to see family.  First, we visited with my husband’s family in Chestertown Maryland.  Then we headed up to my Mom’s house in Pennsylvania, where we cut down her field of bamboo.  (It was not fun work. But it really needed to be cleared.) 

This year, we took our pop-up so our moms didn’t have to worry about where to put us all.  It gave us a place to crash, and also tickled my little guy who wanted to go camping in the worst way! 

The day after we cut down the bamboo, the guys went to Hershey Park with my husband and a family friend.  They had a blast experiencing the park I grew up loving. 

Mom and I stayed at her place, and I used the time to paint some of the trim on Mom’s front porch.

When it was time to head back to Indiana, we brought Mom home with us. That’s one of the reason’s I’ve let blogging go for so long.  I hate spending time on the computer when I can be visiting and doing things with her and the boys. 

Speaking of the boys, they went to soccer camp the very next day after we got back.  It was the first time we went to the Ben Elo Soccer camp, and they really had a great time. 

After that, high school soccer practices began, along with  weight training.  And the summer fell into a busy routine of mowing, practices, gardening and canning.

Canning.  This summer, I made two kinds of relish, lots of ketchup, and tons of salsa.  I also froze enough zucchini to have zucchini bread all winter long.  It feels great to have all that stored away!

School has been in session here for almost two months.  I now have a junior, a sophomore and a 4th grader. 

The two older boys play soccer for the High School, and my youngest still plays for his travel league.  As always, the schedule is crazy and it’s hard to keep up.  But it’s a fun kind of crazy.  I love watching my boys play!

Last week, my two older boys’ team played an incredible game against their biggest rival.  It was so intense, I’m pretty sure a few of the parents (besides me) lost their voices, lol! 

The game ended in a 1-1 tie, and because a conference game cannot end in a tie, it went into overtime. Still tied at the end of overtime, it went to PKs.  (If you are not familiar with soccer, both teams pick five players to shoot one on one against the goalie and the team with the most goals at the end wins.) 

It was a long and hard fought game.  But we finally won in PKs!  What a great night of soccer!  And the icing on the cake?  My middle son was one of the players who scored a PK in the end!

Like I said, I love watching my boys play.  :)

A photographer from the local paper tweeted this picture taken during the game…

Number 13 is my oldest son.  I feel bad for the player who caught his teammate’s high kick with his chin.  However, I’m incredibly glad my son’s face missed the action! (And glad, too, that I didn’t see it happen!!  Who knows what I might have shouted!  Ha!)  The other player in white is my middle son.  My oldest told me he was cleaning up the mess my middle son left by not sticking to the man he was supposed to be covering, lol!

They each played great games and I enjoy listening to them laugh and banter back and forth. 

Where is my mom in all this soccer, you ask?  She has been coming along to some of the games when it isn’t too hot or cold, and when there isn’t too much walking involved.  She enjoys watching, too.  But she is ready to go home to Pennsylvania.  Once I get my little guys’ soccer schedule added into my master calendar, I hope to be able to squeeze in a trip east with Mom. 

Anyone want to be my driving buddy?  :)

I’ve missed this little space and the chance it gives me to catch up with my “virtual” friends.  So hopefully, with the boys back at school, I can carve out a regular time to catch up with you all! 

What kept you busy this summer??

Some Soccer Pictures and An Update on My Dad For Your Tuesday

I can’t believe the leaves outside my window are beginning to show their fall colors! :)

In light of how quickly time gets away from me, I wanted to pop in and say hi.  I’m still here.  I also want to share a little about the two main things on my mind these days.  Happy and sad alike. 

Soccer

Did I tell you my youngest joined a team that is very serious about their soccer?  Well he has. 

That’s a good thing.  His team is amazing. 

And a bad thing.  His schedule is a bit demanding.  Lol!

But we’re working with it since it’s such a wonderful opportunity.  My older boys can’t believe how lucky he is.  :)

Speaking of my older two…they are nearing the end of their high school season and are enjoying the team.  Apparently, the guys are pretty funny. 

Here are a few pictures from their games.  I have to be sneaky with the camera or they catch me!  I hope no one rats me out.  (#13 and #17 are mine.) 

The games are very fast and very physical.   

I love to watch all three play!  I’m so happy to make these memories with them.

Dad

Dad had a stent placed in his esophagus last week.  However, it hasn’t given him the freedom to eat like I had hoped it would. 

We talk often on the phone.  Mom and Dad share with me the plans they are making.  Those are hard conversations and they leave me feeling sad.

Dad told me he had his defibrillator turned off this morning.  Doctors told him it would be best.  His heart couldn’t withstand the shock if it went off anyway.  I know they’re right.  But I still cried.  Even now, I just can’t stop the tears.

But I’m also blessed to see how God continues to provide.  This week, Mom and Dad are having a tank of oil delivered, paid for by my three cousins. Isn’t that amazing?  What a blessing!!  

It is a daily battle to entrust my dad and his home-going to God’s care.  I know in my head that there is nothing outside of God’s control or His tender loving care.  Yet, my heart is breaking at the thought of letting go. 

I would so appreciate your continued prayers. 

I do fairly well if no one talks to me or asks how Dad is doing.  ;) I even made it all the way to my seat in church Sunday morning.  But when the music started I crumbled and left to find some composure.  I hate that my emotions are so raw. 

A friend who lost her husband to cancer last Christmas found me.  She is such a wonderful example of grace and how God can use deep pain to encourage others.  Someday, I want to pass that blessing on to another hurting heart.  She’s my hero this week.  :)    

Overall? It Was A Great First Day!

Well, so far I’m not setting any productivity record on my second day of an empty house.  This collage is my only achievement, lol!  That and playing with a couple of French apps on my phone looking for one that may help my freshman with pronunciation.   

It’s been fun, though! :)

As it turns out, all three boys had great first days yesterday.  As usual on the first day of school, I was the last one to get my homework done.  Oh how I hate all the forms!  T-E-E-dious!

My Sophomore said he thinks he’ll have a relatively easy first trimester compared to last year’s first tri.  I’m glad for his sake, since soccer takes up so much of every evening.

My Freshman will have to hustle his bustle to keep up.  He has the same soccer schedule, plus his work load is huge.  And like his mother, he gets easily distracted.

So this weekend our number one priority is to get Mr. Freshman’s room set up as his quiet and clutter-free work space.  Something that will no doubt require epic prodding by his dear and only-looking-out-for-his-best-interest mother.  And a bottle of Fabreeze.

But he didn’t get lost at school.  He took notes on everything he needed to do.  And, he got all of his homework done by 11pm—beating me by almost 45 minutes.  But hey, I spent several hours at my little guy’s soccer practice.  So he had a head start, lol!

Speaking of soccer.  Both high school kids got to be part of the Varsity Soccer Picture last night!  That’s about as close to an announcement that they made the team as I think they are going to get.  They are pretty excited to know that at the very least, they will get a fair amount of playing time on varsity.  :) 

I’m really proud of the hard work they put into training.  It shows.  And I love watching them play.

I love watching all three of my kids play!

Now, I truly must do something that counts as work.  Not sure what that is.  It might be cleaning the garlic butter sauce off my dog who got into the Papa Johns pizza box.  Or it might not, lol!

But I better get moving. Tonight is a repeat of last night’s schedule so I only have two hours left to be productive!

Review: El Diablo Portable Soccer Net by Rukket

With three boys who are serious about soccer, we are always looking for ways to get in more playtime and shooting practice.

The new El Diablo nets caught my eye and I kind of figured they would work well for my 9 year old and his team.  However, I wondered how well they would hold up to the tough kicks of high school players.  I envisioned them being blasted over backwards…or even blown away on a windy day.

Thanks to the guys at Rukket, for the last two weeks, my guys have been putting a set to the test.

Technical Details

The nets are large, measuring 48 inches across by 32 inches high.  Yet, each collapses into a flat and compact little circle about 16 inches in diameter. 

They come with their own carry backpack (see the black bag hanging on our kicking wall above) which holds up to two nets and a full size soccer ball.  That’s not only handy, it’s also very cool!

Three stakes are provided to anchor it into the ground.  They hold surprising well.

If you want to play indoors or on a hard surface, you can load three built-in pockets with anything lying around. I actually filled three tube socks with sand to use in the pockets, and it worked like a charm!  This is a feature I didn’t find in any other nets.  We LOVE the idea!

Putting It To The Test

On Monday, we took the nets to our club training session where 8 to 12 year olds practice foot skills in large groups. I set up the nets along the side of the fields.

Like moths to a light, players began gathering at the goals and firing away.  The nets worked beautifully. 

This is part of our U9 team.

Does the net move when you shoot at it?  Yes, and no.  It has a wedge-shaped back which is designed to redirect the ball back out to the player. So there is no digging in the net for the ball.

Sometimes it flexes backwards—especially from hard and high shots. Like in this clip.

But notice, it didn’t move from it’s footprint, and it actually returned the ball as it was designed to do!

The last three clips were shot with sandbags in the pockets in addition to using the stakes.  Using no extra weights might actually be best when you can use the stakes.  I’m thinking the ball shifted the weights just enough to prevent the net from springing back into proper shape.   Especially when balls were shot hard into the side.  Like this.

See how the net is left leaning a little to the right?   

Incidentally, my oldest son just went back out and proved my hunch.  He tried using a net with just the stakes, and the nets sprang right back into place--no matter where he shot from.  (I didn’t get any video, so you’ll have to take my word on it!) 

Just note that if you are using weights to help hold it in place, hard shots from the side will probably warrant a trip to the net to straighten it back up.

Knowing what I now know, I’m sure that the net would have sprung back completely in this next clip if the weights weren’t in the pockets.

Still, it does very well! 

And shots to the center are handled beautifully.

I have to say, we have been totally impressed!  My teenagers have used portable Pug brand goals in the high school gymnasium and they tell me these nets are MUCH nicer.

Setting Up And Taking Down

For us, getting the net open was no problem at all.  In fact, to my teenager’s endless amusement, it repositioned my nose on its way to the “open” position!  “Mom,” he laughed, “it says “CAUTION” right there on the yellow strap!”  Hmm…So it does…lol!

I love that Rukket  provides a video showing how to fold it back up, too.  We wouldn’t have gotten it back in the bag if all we had were the printed instructions!  Lol!  We needed to watch it several times in order to get the technique down.  But all three of my boys can do it easily now!

 The things we love most:

• Ease of set-up:  Pull it out, slide the strap off and and WAH-LAH!
• Durability and stability:  Even with hard shots.
• Compact size: Easy to take anywhere.
• Handy storage bag: Great looking and fits 2 nets AND a ball.
• Built-in pockets: Load them up and play anywhere, inside or out!  Love, love, love this feature!

My guys would definitely recommend these nets.  They’re great for practicing alone, or for playing short sided games. 

We can’t wait to take them camping with us this fall!  Last year, to the delight of all the parents, my teenagers organized the entire kid-population into one epic soccer match using just cones and a ball.  These nets will be awesome!

Overall, we think these nets are among the nicest we have used, if not the nicest.  Great quality, easy to use, and incredibly versatile.   All of my guys will be using these to increase their shooting accuracy. 

Rukket

Here’s a link to Rukket’s videos showing how to set it up it, how to fold it back up, and a promotional video of kids using it.  The promotional video doesn’t do it enough justice in my opinion.  I think if they had included footage of experienced players giving it a harder workout, the nets would sell themselves. 

Speaking of selling, Rukket sells them individually, or in sets.  So if you are interested in getting more than one, buy the set and you can save a little money.

Rukket kind enough to send us a set of nets to review, but as always, the opinions expressed here are totally our own.

A Summer Highlight: Chelsea in Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium!

When the announcement was made that Chelsea would be playing in Indianapolis on August 1st, I knew the boys would flip.  Some of the world’s best soccer players of all time playing just an hour away?  There was no way we could miss it!

I can’t even begin to tell you how cool it was for the guys to see Juan Mata, John Terry, Fernando Torres, Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard, and Oscar (among others) in person!  I think I heard how TOTALLY awesome it was about a hundred times.  :) 

We got there almost an hour and a half early, and the boys couldn’t wait to get to their seats.  I half thought they were going to leave me in the rest room on the first floor!  Man-o-man!

They snagged a small hoard of Chelsea flags along the way.  My youngest, of course, was determined to wave his, dragging it over the head of the lady in front of us.  And blocking the view of the people behind us.  Lol!  There was just no suppressing his well of enthusiasm. 

Our seats should have come with oxygen for the aged.  I could have used a blindfold, too.  I made the mistake of looking down only once on the stairs to our seats.  After that, I didn’t dare move without my husband’s back to focus on (and hold onto!). 

I sat just out of ear-shot of the play by play streaming between my two oldest sons.  Every once in a while, I would relay a question through my husband.  Who’s that?  Which one is so-and-so?

At one point, I thought an all out fight was going to break out on the pitch.  One player started shoving another and before I knew it, both teams had converged in the middle. Exciting stuff!  Which ended in one player getting ejected. 

The crowds were cracking us up on the way out of the stadium.  Everyone waving their flags, honking their horns.  Shouting, “Go CHELSEA!” and absolutely loving that this great team had come to our home town.  It was a given that they won.  How could they not?  They’re the best!  I even saw flags flying out the windows of cars on the city loop!  I’m telling you, it was an amazing thing to be a part of!

I’m glad we got to go, even if the only seats we could afford were in the nose-bleed section.  Seeing Chelsea play was one of the highlights of our summer for the guys!

I’m having a hard time believing that school starts in just 3 days!  What was one of your summer highlights?

Those Two Are Definitely Brothers

Over the summer, my two oldest boys have been training hard for the high school soccer team.  This past Saturday night was the Alumni Game, an informal game where past players come back and play the present team.  It’s a fun night of food and fun that everyone looks forward to!

The weather was absolutely beautiful!  If you can believe it, we needed blankets and coats by the end of the night!

At one point, I looked down at my two on the sidelines and started cracking up.  They were standing in almost the exact same pose.  It was impossible not to crack up every time they stood together for the rest of the night.  It would seem that, in spite of all the ways they are different, they almost always share the same arm positions when they are standing still—left hand low and on the hip, right hand at the waist!

It’s funny.  I never noticed this before! Maybe because they don’t stand still very often! :)

Do your kids do something that marks them as siblings?? 

Playing Catch Up!

Oh my goodness!  How can the weeks go by so fast??  I really hate to neglect this space.  Yet, sometimes, it just can’t be helped.  Can you relate?  Anybody?  Please tell me I’m not alone!

I think the best way to catch you up is to jump in with some fun pictures of the past few weeks.

My little guy is loving soccer.  Of course! :)

He is part of a young team of (barely) 7 and eight years olds playing against very experienced 9 and 10 year olds.  So they lose more than they win.  But they have won a few, and are learning so much! 

This picture of my son and his buddy cracks me up.

They usually ALL look like poster boys for a TIDE commercial.  But this time, my little guy was showing me how clean he was compared to his friend.  Can you say muddy wet spring??  Lol!

Watching them on the bench is just as much fun as watching them play!  Don’t know what they were so intently talking about over there.  Maybe a dare to make a Mohawk??  Because the next minute I looked, this is what I saw, lol!

My older guys have spent a bunch of time on the sidelines developing a new respect for the time their mom and dad have given to games.  It’s nice to have their company as their schedules permit. 

This was one of those rare games where my oldest got to watch with a friend who’s sister was playing two fields over. 

I’ve only gotten to see 15 minutes of his playing this year.  With three schedules to juggle, the older two often have to go with my husband or find a ride with a friend.

Here’s a picture of my middle man at one of his games, courtesy of another parent.  Tonight, I will actually get to see one of his games.  And tomorrow, I get to see both older boys play in their games!  Yeah! 

So there you have some soccer tidbits.

In other news…

• My youngest is getting baptized on Sunday night!  He’s very excited.  Hopefully, I’ll have some pictures to share with you next week!
• My middle man will turn 14 on Sunday.  It’s a big day, as you can see!
• My dad is still recovering from his second round of chemo.  He developed a painful infection, and he is struggling with whether to go on with the chemo.  Please keep him in prayer.  It’s so tough.  And tough too, that Mom and Dad will miss the baptism and celebration on Sunday.  I wish so much that things were different.

Although there is more I want to write, that’s all I have time for at the moment. Tonight, after the game, I will be watching a movie with my family.  It’s one I have really been looking forward to seeing.  PLUS, I get to give a copy of it away!  So be sure to stop back and enter the giveaway.  Some of the big names in the film are…Casting Crowns, Steven Curtis Chapman, Matthew West, Rick Sutcliffe, and John Kruk!  I hope to get the review posted late tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for being such a patient and supportive bunch of friends!  I’ve missed visiting with you all!  Just as soon as my insane soccer schedule eases up, I’ll be back on your doorstep.  :)

His Time Has Come!

Oh my goodness!  How could I not share this?  My little guy got his very first (travel) soccer uniform and couldn’t wait to see how it fit!

And I’d say it fits perfectly!  Yay!!!

It’s so funny!  The manager brought the stack of uniforms over to the parents while the kids were still practicing.  Then he asked who wanted what number. 

Sheesh!  Talk about pressure!!!  Lol!  You KNOW there is pretty much NO chance I’ll pick the right one.

My first choice, number 7, was already taken.  (Shoot.  My middle man wears 7.  It would have been helpful to have the little guy wear a number I was already used to looking for.) 

Numbers 6, 4, 3, and 1 were the next four uniforms on the pile.  I pursed my lips and pushed my jaw from side to side.   Other parents were waiting for me to pick.  Staring at me.  So I blurted out a number I thought I could remember the easiest.  ONE.  Because he is my number ONE 8-year-old.  Lol! 

I rolled up the uniform and put it in the back of the car, wondering how bad of a choice I had made.

When I showed my son the number he got, he smacked himself in the head and said, “ARRRRRRH!” 

Apparently, since our last name is at the top of his alphabetical class list, his number at school for everything he does is…yep, ONE. 

“That’s so cool!” I said.  “It’s perfect for you, then!”

“MOM, I hate being number one all the time!”

Figures.

I gave his older brothers the help-me-out-here-eye, and they quickly jumped into the conversation. “Yeah, Buddy. ONE is a very cool number!”  Under his breath, my middle man mumbled, “not as cool as just about every other number.  But hey.  It’s a number.”

Thanks.  Thanks a lot, bud.

I did what all good soccer moms must do from time to time.  Shake it off, hold my chin up, and take more pictures.  :) 

* * *

It’s a beautiful day today.  Sunny and 78.  Time to get working in the garden!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

Gearing Up For Spring

My crocuses have been blooming for weeks. In spite of yesterday’s blustery snow showers, everything is gearing up for spring. 

Tonight is the last indoor (soccer) training session.  And Sunday, after our final four games, we say goodbye to the nice, WARM, dry gym.  Sigh.

Starting next week, the boys get some grass under their feet! 

And my car will once again become a traveling store room/cafeteria, stocked with crackers, plastic bags, umbrellas, sleeping bags, hats, gloves, coats, extra socks, shin guards and newspapers for stinky muddy cleats. 

It’s my least favorite part of travel ball.

My two oldest will play on different teams this year.  And my youngest will play, as well.  It will definitely test my juggling skills.

Let’s see…One boy each on three different teams equals…6 total practices on two different fields at four different times, plus 6 different games at 6 different fields in a 60 mile radius (if I’m lucky). 

I know.  I’m nuts.  Make that Nuts with a capital N.

I’m not looking forward to the crazy schedule.

But I AM looking forward to…

• The sun warming up.
• The grass turning green.
• The daffodils blooming.
• The tree buds swelling.
• Walking again with my friends.
• And the boys taking their energy (and soccer balls) OUTSIDE!  WOOHOOO!  No more constant thudding bouncing balls ricocheting off of every wall in the house!!!!

Yep. 

When I think of those things, I’m ready.  :) 

An added blessing is that I met a sweet Christian Mom from my youngest son’s new team.  I’m looking forward to getting to know her more at his games. 

Don’t get me wrong.  I always (well, most of the time) have fun at the games talking to whomever I happen to plunk my chair down next to.  But it’s especially nice to share time with someone who has a similar view of the game.  That is… that the ultimate goal for the kids is not to put the ball in the back of the net.  But rather to have fun, work together, exercise good sportsmanship, and build Godly character. What parts of spring are you looking forward to?

And Always…There Is Soccer

This winter, we (finally) launched our youngest into the sport of (indoor) soccer.  

Any doubts as to whether he was ready have been totally vanquished.  He absolutely loves it.  At 8 years old, he plays with passion, confidence and agility, all of which he gets from me.  Eh-hem.  ;) ROTFL!  Or, more likely, his older brothers.  I think they have taught him a thing or two in the backyard.  :)

In any case, it has been so much fun to watch him!  To watch ALL of the boys, really.  There is something about watching your children do something they  love.  It just makes me happy. 

I’m not sure how long we’ll be able to juggle three players’ schedules and fees.  For now, though, all the training and games provide a welcome distraction from what weighs heavy on my heart.

Since I spend so much of my time at the indoor facility, I thought I would share a few pictures. (I would share pictures of all the boys.  But I’d likely get a lecture from the older two.)  

So, (drum roll please) I give you (just) the little guy today in all the glorious-blurriness that comes with cell phone pictures.

See his coach in the blue sweatshirt below?  Please tell me I’m not the only one who thinks he looks just like “Mr. Wilson” from Dennis The Menace. I’m TELLING you, he is the SPITTING IMAGE!  (He is also a wonderful coach, btw.)  

His 3v3 team took first place.  And SOMElittlebody’s parents got the hard sell to add his name to the spring roster.  We’re thinking about it.  :)

Beginning next week, soccer will engulf our entire lives.  Literally.  We’ll be spending three nights a week at the indoor facility for practice and training.  Along with two indoor games for the little guy on Saturdays, two for the middle man, and two for the big dog on Sundays. 

Am I a soccer mom yet? 

It’s a good thing our dog Greta likes the car!  Otherwise she would be all alone here at the house. 

What is it that your children LOVE to do?

The End Of Our Fall Soccer

Last weekend, my middle son played in his last tournament of the season.  His team put on their best performance to date, shutting out several of the opponents and ending up on top of their group.  Kudos to them and their coach! 

The spectators deserved a prize, equally as much.  Here are a few thoughts on that.

1. Sleet is no fun to sit in. None.  Nada.  Nil.  Zero.
2. We were INCREDIBLY GLAD we had a wind-resistant water-repelling sleeping bag to huddle under…along with our hats, gloves, scarves and winter coats.
3. Watching my son get up and offer a freezing family his umbrella, then join me under mine…well, it just made me proud of him.  :)
4. The colder it is, the longer the game.  I kid you not.
5. Mud is very slippery.  Only the grace of God kept me from sitting in it.
6. Which reminds me…eating lollipops with bubblegum in the middle is a fun way to pass the time between games only until you find a sticky stick stuck to the seat of your pants.
7. Hungry teenagers can blow through an entire week’s budget in no time when you have to eat on the fly.
8. Inconspicuous speed bumps cause serious airtime and instant fame.   I’m now signing autographs. 

All in all it was fun.  But I’m so glad soccer is over for the moment.  This weekend will be such a treat.  There are ZERO soccer events on the calendar and the forecast is for warm sunny skies!

Have a wonderful weekend, friends!!

Soccer Balls In Bulk

As many of you know, we are a soccer family.  Most weeks have 7 or more practices.  And most weekends have 2-4 games.  I don’t know how some of you stay sane with more than two kids at a time on teams! 

My middle man lives for soccer.  When he wakes up, he immediately checks the weather to determine how much soccer he will be able to get in after school.  If there isn’t a practice or a game, he practices at the kicking wall out back.  He is passionate and relentless on the pitch.  I love to watch him play!

We are nearing the end of his travel season, with only two more regular games and a tournament to go.  But he is already looking forward to indoor soccer.

 

The player in white above is my oldest.  A freshman and swing player on the Junior Varsity High School team, he finished his season last night.  Although the season proved to be the most demanding soccer experience yet for him, he worked hard and took his personal game to a new level.  I love watching him play!  He, too, is looking forward to indoor games.

 

My youngest loves the game as well.  How could he not?  Lol!  Although I haven’t found a way to juggle three schedules during a regular season, I’m hoping to be able to let him do indoor soccer at the same place his brothers will play.    Until then, he practices with his brothers out back.

If they aren’t available, there’s always Greta!  She plays some of the best possession style soccer I’ve ever seen!

When she’s in the game, it gives everyone a workout!  There’s only one problem. 

She’s a little hard on balls.

I think I need to start buying soccer balls in bulk.  :)

If you had to describe your family, how would you finish this sentence…

“We are a ____________________ family.”

DIY Soccer Wall/Goal For Kicking Practice: Our New Design

This spring, my boys outgrew the simple ready-made soccer kicking wall (pictured below) which I put up for them in 2009.  Three years of growth and LOTS of training were bound to make their kicks more powerful.   But when they started blasting holes in it for fun, I decided it was time to replace it!  Lol!  You see those holes?  (And you thought I was kidding, didn’t you?)
We thought about buying a portable rebound net/wall.  But if we left them out, the elements would take their toll on the net and poles and we would be looking for a replacement (again) in a year or two.  Plus, we already knew how much fun it was to kick against my trial wall, and we were happy with the three years it gave us.
Long story short, we decided to build a wall. 
Our Supply List:

• six bags of cement
• three 4x4x8 treated posts (edited 6-9-14)
• Fifteen 1x6x10 treated decking boards  (13 to make the face of a six foot high wall, and a couple spares)

We figured if the boys were old enough to blast holes in the old wall, they were old enough to do most of the work for the new one.  Right?
While my hubby and I went for supplies, they did an awesome job digging the three post holes.  Each needed to be 24 inches deep and roughly 18 inches in diameter.   
When we got home, they helped set each post in its hole, mix the concrete, and brace them in line, making sure to keep them plum.
After the concrete was set, they removed the braces and attached the decking boards.  It wasn’t hard.  They just had to make sure the first board was level.  The rest went up easy!
Using galvanized screws is a good idea, and making sure the screws are set below the surface of the wood is very important.  Otherwise, the balls could be damaged.
I was really proud of them for the job they did. 

They had the face of the kicking wall up in no time, and even mulched around the base.
Once it was up, they tested it out and decided it needed a little more bracing on the back. 
We found enough old 2x4s and 2x3s laying around to add a 6 foot vertical brace to each edge, plus one between each 4x4 post. 
Holding the brace in place from the back, someone screwed the face boards to it from the front.  The added braces firmed up and flattened out the kicking surface very nicely.  The boys even sanded the edges.  :)

The extra deck board on the top is mainly just to protect the tops of the posts. 
The new wall was up and in use within a week of removing the old one.  If you look closely, you’ll see they added targets to the corners using sidewalk chalk. 
I really recommend something like this for every little soccer player.   My boys are out there every single day.  It can be a lot of fun whether you have just one player, or a dozen.  It’s also great to practice on whether you are a beginner, or a veteran.   
When we scrimmage, we use our portable second-hand soccer net (you can see it in the sixth picture) as the other goal .  Depending on the age of the players, we can adjust the field length by moving it closer or father away.
Incidentally,  the wall doubles nicely as a backyard backstop for the occasional neighborhood baseball game.  :)
This will no doubt be the last soccer practice wall we will have to build. 
If they start kicking holes in this one, their future in pro-soccer will no doubt enable them to afford much better systems…on their own estates!  Lol!