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Soccer Season

In the Fall, Cora played soccer on a team for the first time.  She was shy, didn't really kick the ball much and often ran or skipped next to the other team as went to score a goal, telling them, "good job" when they scored.  This Spring she turned into totally different girl out on that field.Here she is with her coach.  
 She didn't score in this first game and still seemed to skip around - laughing and giggling, I smiled to myself wondering if she would have a competitive edge or if she was going to be content with just playing for fun.  Her smiling is what is important so if getting a drink at break time is more important then playing, I guess that is what it will have to be...
Kicking the ball back and forth with a teammate.
 But then something happened this season - she seemed to figure out the purpose of the game and that she should try to score a goal as well as stop the others from scoring.  The first game she was still just running around laughing and giggling...
Skipping around behind the others - just happy to be playing.
 But as the season went on, you could see her start to get aggressive and go after the ball - no more would those boys push her out of the way!

 Often at home she would ask if we would play soccer with her outside - saying, "I LOVE SOCCER!!"
On a break away to score a goal!!
 She scored a goal in every game after the first one, even scoring six goals in one game.  And, not only was she a super fast, goal scoring, defense steeling girl... but she started to understand passing and would often pass to her teammates when he/she was closer to the goal.  Her coach kept telling her and us how impressed he was with her improvements this season!  It was a fun season to watch.  The parents were kind and everyone cheered for each others kids on both teams!  I have heard stories of overbearing parents and there doesn't seem to be much of that yet.

Cora knew her practices were on Wednesdays and games were on Sundays and she learned that there was a difference in the two activities (in the Fall it was all the same to her).
Another break away to score another goal!

Smiling at us after a goal.
 At the end of each game the kids shake hands then get a snack!  Cora always shared her snack with Luke - immediately coming over and saying to him, "Luke, look what we have."  (touched my heart each and every time!)
        These are exactly the experiences I want her to have.  To get a little better each season, to make good friends, to learn more about the sport, to have lots of fun, to gain confidence in herself.  I very much look forward to Fall soccer!!

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