GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLL

Our Saturdays will never be the same...

I woke up early on Saturday morning. It was too early, so I fell back to sleep. I woke up a little bit later, and it was later than I thought. I jumped out of bed, threw on some capris and a tank and ran up the stairs to wake Maegan.

I came in her room. Wils looked up at me, "MOMMY!" I picked him up out of the crib and walked over to Maegan. She was snoozing away. I said, "C'mon Maegs, it's time to get ready!"

With that, her eyes opened, and she blinked, looked at me and said, "It's time for my soccer game?" I nodded my head, and she sat up in the bed.

"I don't think I can do this," Maegan said to me. In literal translation, her statement meant: It's too early and I'd really like to go back to sleep!

I prodded her along and she trotted downstairs while I gathered her gear and uniform. She ate breakfast, Wils ate breakfast, and Matt and I hustled to get them all dressed and ready to go out the door. Mia stayed in her jammies.

We were supposed to be on the field at 8am. We were running late, but making better time than I had imagined we would, that early in the morning. Upon arrival at the field, it seemed we were the early birds! Matt said, "You go on and take her to the field, I'm going to get us some breakfast."

Maegan and I headed up to the field... soccer bag, filled with ball, waterbottle and warm pants and the cooler, filled with apple juice, apple slices and cheez-its for team snack. I also had the video camera. Maegan was the first on her field. I offered her the soccer ball and she said, "No Mom! I have to do this first..." she ran out onto the field and ran back and forth between the sidelines. Soon other kids and parents started to arrive.

I talked with one parent. Her daughter had missed the first two practices and was showing up for the game without having met her teammates. This child was so TALL. She looked so much bigger than my Maegan, and they were just a few months apart.

Soon the rest of the team arrived and I sent Maegan to her side of the field. I noticed Matt had gotten back, and I ran to the car to help him with Mia and Wils. On our walk back to the field, my parents showed up. They brought chairs for us. We claimed our space on the sidelines and hunkered down for a game of preschool soccer!

Just before the game, the rain began. Mia was cuddled against me in her sling. Wils was in his stroller. Matt was filming the action. Mom was standing behind me and Daddy was in a chair beside me. We were ready for the games to begin.

Matt filmed Maegan on kick off. After that, Maegan lost interest. Mom declared, "This is not Maegan's thing. She is a dancer, a ballerina!" I said, "Give it time mom! She's got to get into it!"

Well, after the other team scored their first goal and everyone headed back to midfield... Maegan meandered to my chair and said, "Mommy, I'm too tired, I don't want to play." To which, I reminded her, "Your team is counting on you! You are doing great. Keep it up!" Her coach reigned her in and got her ready to go. The rest of the half, she was not too involved, but her interest seemed to pick up.

The tall child, who had missed all of the practices was in group 2 on Maegan's team (Maegan was in group 1). When group 2 took the field, this tall little girl showed everyone who was boss. WOWSA! She could dribble, she could pass and she could score! And she DID score. I was amazed at her skill. I think the coaches were a bit amazed as well!

After half time and apple slices it was time for the 2nd half. Maegan was switched to Group 2. Group 2 started the half. Suddenly, it was as if someone had lit a fire under Maegan. She was very aware of the ball and she got in there and fought for the ball. She and the tall child seemed to have some kind of communication. They seemed to work together.

Suddenly, the ball got caught up between many of the kids. Maegan saw the opportunity and took it, she kicked the ball out of the group and then ran down the ball, stayed with it and took a shot on goal.

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!

Maegan scored her very first goal! We were screaming and cheering. I was crying. Even Wils was yelling "Go Go Go" We were soaked to the bone, but enjoying every moment of it. Maegan was really into the game after that. And she scored another goal... only the second goal she scored was in the wrong goal! Oopsy! We all clapped for her anyway.

Our Saturday mornings will never be the same, but it is so worth it!