SOCCER SHOOTOUT

James was pleased to win the soccer shootout competition this year (kids compete to earn the most points by scoring goals in specific sections of the net)

SPORTS FORCE TOURNAMENT

The weekend-long tournament turned out to be nearly a bust, as James' team had zero games (the team they were supposed to play backed out and didn't let anyone know, so we were there, dressed, and warming up, waiting on them - super rude) and Cora's team had one planned game and one scrambled up game (where they played up against U12 team on the big field because their second U10 team backed out last minute). James' team ended up doing their own scrimmage/practice, and took home medals anyway (you get to be #1 even if you're the only team on the roster). Cora's team played great in both games and also brought home championship medals!

Team huddle and prayer before their scrimmage:

James got to ride the onsite zipline for the first time since Sports Force opened (we're usually there on weekday evenings only, and the zipline is only open on weekends):

For their U10 vs U12 game, the RiverBelles recruited a few of VSO's U12 girls to build out their team (you need more players on the bigger fields), so they switched to the royal blue VSO uniform (they all needed to match, of course).

Then it was Cora's turn to try the zipline:

We were hot and tired by the afternoon, but decided that since we were there when the putt-putt course was open, we should try that out too...

All in all, it was a good day! We just wish Sports Force would give soccer the time and attention that it gives baseball... It is SUCH a nice park and we know plenty of teams that would love to play here, if only the tournaments were well advertised and the cost was lowered.

FALL REC SOCCER SEASON HAS BEGUN!

And we're so happy to have Grambot with us!

HOT SOCCER

The RiverBelles played their first tournament of the fall season over in Brandon this weekend, and they sported their brand new uniforms! It was a tough few games, but our girls played really well and Jay was especially proud of this first picture, showing the girls working in the formation they've been taught to utilize:

James is a big fan of the girls, as long as he's allowed to play his Kindle during half of each game:

Maybe mama is the biggest fan, with this new car decal...

The girls were more than happy to pose for some photos in their new teal uniforms (the color unanimously chosen by all 10 of them):

They wanted a picture in numerical order (they all got to pick their own number):

After the last game, we went to a new-to-us restaurant in downtown Brandon that was really good (though a bit slow) and the kids were all about the hugs to stay warm (AC does a number on them in the summer time when they're far more acclimated to the heat and humidity than all the adults).

They may have been cold, but that didn't stop them from requesting ice cream on the way home:

(Bub Bubs gives the best hugs!)

BEACHES SOCCER THROWBACK

Jean sent us these snapshots of some of Jay's soccer teams over the years, so I thought they'd be fun to post for a "Throwback Thursday":

BRILLA JUNIORS FINALISTS!

What a GREAT weekend of soccer! 

A tie (4:4) Friday night, a win (2:1) on Saturday, then a high stakes Sunday starting with a shootout to break a bracket tie that went into sudden death (win) and a loss (1:2). Our girls played strong from the start and all the way through to the end of the tournament - WAY TO GO River Belles!!

(Their old teammate Laney in the blue-and-white stripe jersey stopped by to watch their game and congratulate their tie against a very hard team in her Clinton soccer club and the girls were so thrilled to see her!)

(We drove Amelia to and from the game because her parents couldn't make it and we wanted her to play with us - she's skilled and so spirited on the field, and totally adorable too!)

(It feels good to have a great game, and even better when you win!)

(I have never seen our girls, or the parents, as tense as they were leading up to the shootout... sooo much pressure on such little soccer-loving hearts... I could hardly watch once they got rolling and I was pacing back and forth behind mine and James' chairs the entire time... it kept going back and forth between the teams with score after score, all the way through the lineup and then some before we surpassed them and earned a spot in the finals!)

(Nothing but you and the keeper... way to stay strong and confident Cora!)

(IFC, International Futbol Club, out of Jackson is a BIG club with a lot of amazing teams. Our girls played HARD and did so well, getting a goal in and blocking SO many attempts by the other team. I especially love this picture I caught of Cora jumping up and over an IFC player to make it to the ball first - she's gotten so fast and her "I can do anything" attitude is taking her far on the field!)

(And then it was time to wait for the medal ceremony. Scores are posted and standings are calculated quickly, but they still have to get through multiple age groups each hour. Little soccer sister Emma wanted to be in this photo with the big girls - she's the one up front.)

The RiverBelles earned 2nd place (finalists) and we were so proud of them!

We celebrated with Cora's favorite (pancakes!) and her sweet buddy Harper as a very late brunch after the ceremony:

I decided my soccer mom shirt was a better fit for a Cora nightgown that night :-)