Payton participated in his first team sport this fall. The Mt. P recreation department does not offer youth soccer until age 5 which is still TWO years away.....we couldn't wait that long so we looked for other options. Luckily, the IOP recreation department offers fall and spring sports for 3 year olds. We are not residents of IOP, so Chad had to get up and go wait in line at 6:00 AM for non-resident registration. Thanks to an awesome Daddy, Payton got a spot on the team! We signed him up for the Fast Start Soccer team for 3 & 4 year olds at IOP and he was on the IOP Exchange team. He would be playing in a total of 6 games with about 10 kids on his team. His season ended today and it was truly an experience. Just a few short weeks taught me a lot about how our future will be if our boys continue to have an interest in sports. I learned a few things about how kids respond in new situations, how I respond and how Chad reacts - both good and bad for both of us!
We had no idea what to expect once the season started. Unfortunately, our travel schedule kept Payton from participating in his first 2 games. He was probably a little behind by the time we made it out for the teams 3rd game and his first. Either way, he was SO excited! He got his first official jersey - navy blue and he was # 5! He was in full gear with new soccer cleats and that was the best news of all! Game number 1 was rainy and he seemed a little overwhelmed by the team concept. There were lots of kids - all heading in the same direction - and I'm not sure he knew what to think!
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| #5 - Payton Webb takes the field for the first time! |
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| Warming up for the big game! |
Game number 1 - all the kids in Navy vs. all the kids in Green....a little overwhelming? I think so! The kids all line up across from one another - one team kicks it and the other team kicks back. Evenutally, one kid might make it out of the pack and head towards the goal. The pictures don't really show it, but it was raining for this entire game. I think that was a bit confusing too - Payton has never really played in the rain previously!
While we are very proud of Payton for participating, Chad and I were both a little shocked at the 1st game. Payton plays soccer at home at least once a day and he plays every Monday at school. The "team" concept threw him off a little - he kept his hands in his mouth and didn't respond very well to the ball. As you can see, most of his team is moving with the ball and he's facing the other direction and standing completely still.
All he wanted to do in game # 1 was play goalie...there are not goalie's at this age...but, he was happy!
Game # 2
Meme and Pawpaw were in town for game #2 and it went better than the first week. He had fun and spent some time running with or after the ball. He got a few kicks this week too!
Payton is to the far right - he coming across to play defense. He was really good with defending and getting the ball away from other players.
Pawpaw and Owen cheering for Payton!
Game # 3
Grandma and Grandpa were in town for this weekend's game. Unfortunately, game # 3 was Payton's "worst" performance. He just wasn't into it for some reason. This is the week Mommy learned that he is just three years old and I need to worry more about him having fun and less about his performance. In my defense, I wasn't really upset if he did or didn't kick the ball, score or goal or defend the ball...I just wanted him to participate. He is always so excited about sports - and was SO excited about his soccer games every week - so it was very hard to understand how or why he wouldn't even go after the ball (or near the ball!) when his team was playing. The first half of the game was rocky at best, he did better the second half. I was never a star athlete, so I do not "need" Payton to be a star athlete - I just want him to have fun....but, if he wants to play sports, I want him to try to do his best and participate with his team. I know, he's only three....but I've already learned a few lessons about how differently he may respond from situation to situation and from week to week. In the future, I'll try to be a little less reactive and try to be a little more encouraging.
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| Go Payton! He had control of the ball! |
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| Running ahead to play defense again! |
Payton and Skylar (comparing their jerseys!).
Game # 4
Taking it to the goal in pre-game warms ups!
Team huddle with Coach Tony. 3 - 2- 1- GO BLUE TEAM!!
Payton is excited for game # 4!
Lined up and ready to go - Payton is getting ready to kick the ball to start play.
Coach Tony observes as Payton kicks the ball. After about 10 minutes, they all needed a water break!
Payton and his teammate trying to get control of the ball! Go Payton!
Right in the middle of the action....playing defense of course!
I hate we had to miss his 1st 2 games of the season because in this game, he finally got it! He had so much fun and it was so much fun to watch Payton and his team. He did great playing defense and stopped at least 3 goals. He stayed with his team when they had the ball. He listened to his coach and participated and payed attention for the entire game. He even scored his 1st goal! Of course, I was busy chasing Owen and didn't catch it but he gained control of the ball around mid-field and continued kicking it all the way down the field, out running one defender, and about 4 kicks later scored his first goal! We were all so proud! Way to go Payton!
Following his game, they celebrated with a end of season awards.
Payton was given his very first medal for his very first team sport! Coach Tony said Payton was "on fire out there today!"
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| Payton shows off his medal! |
These past four weeks were a success. We had a few rocky moments and I wondered if the kids who loves sports was really going to enjoy playing team sports but we survived and I think we're all better for having the experience. Most importantly, he had fun and he was excited every single week. He's ready to head back out there next weekend and doesn't understand that soccer is over until next year! Playing on a team taught him some important lessons - most of all to help your teammates and support them even if you don't get all the credit. I'm really happy we were able to provide this experience for him.
Mom and Dad probably need to lighten up a little in the sporting world and I'm glad we're learning that too! Today, in the car on the way over we talked to Payton about getting out there and scoring a goal and kicking the ball. As we were walking in, I was behind a Dad who was telling his little girl that he just wanted her to go out there and have FUN! I'm thinking God put that Dad right there so I could hear that at that exact moment...I heard you God! Fun, fun, fun! I wasn't discouraging fun, but I was getting too wrapped up in the game!
I know that I will NOT criticize my child for poor play on the sports field and even more importantly, I will NEVER criticize other children who may play on my child's team - I was not the best athlete and for the most part, I was still encouraged by my friends and their parents. Yes, eventually, I ended up as a cheerleader - say what ever you want about cheerleaders - I really don't care - but, as a cheerleader I was active and I was involved - and, ask my high school friends, I WAS supportive! Never say never in the world of parent, but this is something I will strive for as long as my children participate in any activities. Unfortunately, this brief activity did teach me that I will have to always remind myself of my beliefs on these situations because one bad "play" or one minute of lack of interest can discourage even the most well-intentioned parent. I hope both my boys know that I will always be there number 1 fan....yep, even more than their Daddy and I will always cheer for them and encourage them every step of the way. Maybe thats a little deep for 3/4 year old soccer...but its a lesson I've already learned and I'm glad I learned it early. I'm sure we'll be playing t-ball in the spring and I might need a reminder...but, at least I've got a basic course to start with!
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