11Sep
Saturday morning was Bean’s first soccer game. I don’t know who was more excited – Bean or Chris.
My mom and Grandma came down for the game, and we loaded up in my mom’s van and headed up to the soccer fields. For Christmas, my parents gave us this enormous Fisher Price wagon. It has an umbrella, a cooler, and it converts into a bench. It is perfect for sideline sitting, so we hauled it up to the field for Gracie to sit in while Bean played. Turns out, Nana is more comfortable than a wagon.
Only four kids from each team play at a time, and Bean was on the first group of kids. Chris and I were super proud. Bean was on the first string. Clearly, his coach recognized his gift for the game.
But about three or four minutes into the game, it became apparent that Bean really had no interest in the soccer ball. We kept yelling, “Go get the ball, Michael!” And he would run right up to the ball… and then just stand there. And smile. It was like he was thinking, “Look! I’m standing next to the ball! I’m awesome!”
When they pulled Bean out of the game to give other kids a chance to play, Bean discovered that sideline sitting is actually more fun than playing the game. He loved hanging out with Chris and when I’d pour cold water down his back. He liked talking to Nana and having other parents tell him what a great soccer player he was. Basically, he loved having fans, but he wasn’t a fan of the game himself.
By the end of the game, Chris and I were having to literally drag Bean out onto the field. And then he’d stand there, feet planted, not moving an inch. Even when the ball came sailing right by him, he’d just stand there. It was sort of frustrating, and I found myself thinking, “Maybe he’s a baseball player…” But then I started to notice that most of the three-year-old players were doing the same thing. They were just too little to realize what they were supposed to be doing, and so they got overwhelmed and just froze.
In place.
In the middle of the field.
But all the four-year-old parents on our team told us that their kids had done the same thing the first year, and that it was all part of just learning what to do as part of a team. I hope so. Right now, we just have to get Bean back out there again on Saturday for his second game. Any time we ask him about soccer right now, he just talks about sitting in the shade with Gracie.
All things considered, it was a successful first game! Bean had a great time, we all cheered for him, and – the best part? – the coach’s wife brought great treats after the game!
I think soccer season is going to be pretty awesome. Which isn’t a surprise because Bean Man is pretty awesome. Chris pointed out that one of the best parts about Bean is that he’ll try anything. Swimming lessons? Sure! Music classes? Why not! Soccer games? Sounds great! His friendly, flexible and willing personality is going to create lots of great experiences for our whole family.
I love that kid.
1) jrachael: I love watching kids that age play scoccer :) they all run around in diffrebt directions throw fits its just so great! (09.11.2012 09:52pm)
2) Amy S: Totally made me laugh. That's 3 year old soccer for you :) Then, in a blink of an eye, they grow up and play 'Select Soccer' and you wonder where the time went. Enjoy every moment. And take more pics of the precious girl in her skirt and soccer jersey--too cute! (09.11.2012 09:52pm)
3) Lindsay (Young Married Mom): Love that last picture! So sweet. (09.11.2012 10:02pm)
4) Sara R.: I love the girl on Bean's team with the skirt on. I guess they're not too strict with the uniforms. :) (09.11.2012 10:14pm)
5) Beanie & Gracie's Nana: The little girl in the skirt was awesome! Beanie had a meltdown when getting dressed for the big game. He didn't want to wear his new soccer shoes. He wanted to wear this Spiderman shoes with blinking lights. I LOVE that Chris was totally OK with that and Bean Man proudly ran the field with his little shoes blinking away!!!!! (09.11.2012 10:40pm)
6) laurenbtrain: My favorite pic is the 7th one down where it looks like two of the little girls are picking their noses. LOVE it! ...and love Bean and his mad soccer skills! (09.11.2012 11:40pm)
7) Ciara: Aw how cute are they?! Go Bean! We are nerds in our household and nothing strikes fear into my husband's heart more than the thought of our (future) kids loving sports and having to sit on the sidelines every weekend. Think I'll send him over here to see how fun it can be :) (09.12.2012 01:03am)
8) Alaina: Oh my gosh, I loved watching these games when my twin niece and nephew played. My nephew would run away from the ball when it came to him. My niece spent more time chatting with her fellow players than playing the game. They are so funny. (09.12.2012 07:37am)
9) Deepa: What a riot! We went through the same thing earlier this summer at "soccer class" for 3 year olds. Needless to say, not much soccer was played, but the kids and dads had a good time running around with their balls and wearing their pinnies. It was just nice to be outside. And the coach was really cute (according to my sister and friends, of course). (09.12.2012 08:37am)
10) Jenna@CallHerHappy: Oh my! That cheesy grin melts me! (09.12.2012 08:51am)
11) Kelly H.: Same thing for my boys, too. :-) I remember my oldest, 4 at the time, kinda prancing around the field, yelling "Look Mommy, an airplane!" He was more interested in pointing out airplanes in the sky, than playing :-) (09.12.2012 08:55am)
12) nancy: :-) It's basically just "herd" ball at that age. I remember my now-28-year-old playing soccer at 5 years old. They were far more interested in the half-time orange quarters than winning or losing. (09.12.2012 09:06am)
13) Grandma Barnes: What a fun day! I've never seen so many crying soccer players running off the field. I loved Beanie giving us the "thumbs-up" sign when the ball was kicked toward him. (09.12.2012 10:36am)
14) Peggy: "Herd Ball" - so true!! I remember watching my kids and their teammates running in circles or sitting down on the field to pick a clover. Of course there was alswyas one who wanted to hog the ball! And the best part of the game for the kids - halftime orange slices and snacks after the game! Enjoy!!! (09.12.2012 12:10pm)
15) Donna: I remember that age. His team always ran around in packs sometimes no where near the ball on the soccer field and at t ball it was about picking grass. But is gets better in a couple of years. :) (09.12.2012 01:16pm)
16) Krista: My son is almost 4 1/2 and just started soccer for the first time. I think it's the perfect age because his team is made up of 4-6 years olds and they are all pretty into it. It's been a lot of fun so far. (09.12.2012 02:02pm)
17) Nikki: How stinking cute is this?! I can't wait for little B to be born and to be old enough to play sports with him. The hubs and I have played sports (and still do) all of our lives, so we think it will be so much fun to get to pass on our love of them to him. Frankly I just want to see all of the cuties running around with their little uniforms on. So cute!! (09.12.2012 02:46pm)
18) Chloe: Lol this is the cutest thing, I just love these pics and I think the coaches who coach these little ones are so great and so patient. (09.12.2012 03:23pm)
19) Megan: I love the fact that all their shirts are so big it looks like they're wearing dresses. So cute. (09.12.2012 05:13pm)
20) jamie: sitting in the shade with gracie sounds good! you guys are super fun! (09.12.2012 05:19pm)
21) Audrey: Oh my gosh - every now and then you write a post and in the pictures, it's like Bean has grown into a whole new little person! Look at that kid - he's such a little man now! (09.12.2012 08:12pm)
22) Christy: Just catching up on your bloggeruski. I've been busy studying Denver developmental scales, immunizations, and growth charts in nursing school. I got to thinking about Gracey. How is she doing? I saw the video you posted on facebook and she seems like such a big girl-saying "uh oh!" and walking around using those motor skills. How much is she talking these days? We know she has a *cough* demanding streak but how are other facets of her little personality shaping out? I just thought I'd come on here and tell you what I want, what I really, really want (to read about). (09.12.2012 10:21pm)
23) Natalie: I can't wait to sit on the sidelines and cheer for a little one! What a precious soccer champ you have! (09.13.2012 10:39am)