Indoor Soccer

We've been talking a lot about soccer at our house lately. Usually in the spring the boys do baseball, but this time around Trevor and Kaden decided to do soccer. Chad and I were very excited to hear this because that meant we wouldn't have to spend all of our nights at the baseball field. We looked around for soccer programs they could do and we found an indoor soccer program. One of the nice things about the program was that the boys were able to be on the same team (usually they are in different leagues).

The boys had a lot of fun and learned some new things. The first thing they learned was that indoor soccer never stops. After the first game the boys were exhausted! They realized how out of shape they were. So, to fix the problem, Trevor and Kaden started doing sprints everyday after school. They sprinted up a hill in our neighborhood as many times as they could (until they could barely walk). Whenever they got back from sprinting they would open the door and fall dramatically to the floor. I'm not sure it was always authentic, but they were building their stamina. The only day they didn't sprint was Friday. They got to take a break that day in preparation for their game on Saturday. The sprinting paid off, by the end of the season they had enough strength and energy to make it through each game and they were quicker than most of the other players.

Another thing they learned was to play off the walls. Kaden especially liked using the wall to get the ball away from his opponent. Both boys used the wall to their advantage.

Both Trevor and Kaden are great soccer players. It was fun to see them play on the same team because they played so well together. Trevor is our power forward and Kaden is our power defender. Each of the boys played all the positions, but these are the positions where they really excel. It was fun to watch them pass off to each other and back each other up!

They both had great seasons. The practices were a little unorganized and crazy and I'm not sure how many new skills they learned, but they had a lot of fun and were able to get back into shape. The boys will start another soccer league (outdoor) just after this one finishes. We have no doubt they will be ready to rule the field!

A little bit crazy

On Saturday we had a lot going on - a soccer game, a football game and the ward Halloween party - and wouldn't you know it . . . they were all at the same time. If that wasn't enough I was on my own because Chad was still in China.

The youth were asked to help out at the Halloween party and Tanner really wanted to go, so I was able to find him a ride. One down - two to go. Kaden and Devon's games started at the same time, but Kaden had to be at his game early, so I dropped Kaden off and headed over to the soccer field.

Devon's soccer games are really short so I decided to stay at Devon's game and then rush back to Kaden's game. It was Devon's last game of the season so after the game they presented the kids with trophies.

Devon had an interesting season. Devon only had one practice before we left for Maine and he did well at it. Once we got back from Maine Devon acted the total opposite. He cried and threw fits when we got to the field. It was really frustrating. We tried everything. Devon loves candy corn, so I would bring some to entice him onto the field. It worked the first time, but then he caught on to what we were trying to do. Then we had Trevor go on the field with Devon (as an honorary referee). That worked well, but then Devon thought he needed Trevor there every time he had a game. We kept working with him and he eventually got better. By the end of the season he was out playing on the field by himself and he even got a goal or two! We are proud of him for finishing the season.

After Devon's awards presentation we ran back over to the high school to see the end of Kaden's game. Kaden's games are usually longer than the soccer games, so we thought we would be fine. Much to our dismay, we found out the game on this day was shorter because it was a tournament. We arrived in time to see the last two minutes of the game. I was really disappointed, but I was pleasantly surprised to see that Kaden's team was winning. Plus, we were able to see the best play of the game. There were seconds left on the board and the opposing team had one more play to make it into the end zone. When they snapped the ball Kaden ran around and stopped the ball from being caught and sealed the victory for his team! When Kaden ran to the sideline his coach ran out and picked him up! Kaden was so excited!! What a way to end the season - way to go Kaden!

Kaden's team had a rough season. They didn't win a single game all season (except the last game I just mentioned). It was frustrating for the boys (and the parents), because every single play the team ran was the same. They always handed it off to the same player. You would think if something wasn't working you would fix it, but no they didn't. There were only a handful of times the ball was given to another player. It was really sad and annoying. Another frustrating thing was how often Kaden was able to play. For the first several games he only played defense. It wasn't until the middle/end of the season that the coaches let him play offense. Kaden did get good at his defensive position. He was a little hesitant to full on tackle another player, but over the season he got more confident and was responsible for several tackles.

Kaden was brave to try a new sport this year. Kaden is smaller than many of his friends, but he didn't let that stop him. It was hard for him to sit out while his "bigger" friends got to play, but he continued to work hard and show his coaches that he was willing to work and it payed off. We are proud of him for working hard and sticking with his goal. Great job Kaden!

Soccer is his thing

Trevor had another great soccer season. He continued to improve his skills and often led the team in goals. Trevor is very competitive and it shows as he plays. He chases down the ball with great determination and he is not quick to give up. It also helps that Trevor loves to play soccer!

Trevor is very skilled and it is fun to watch him play soccer.

Trevor is also very motivated. Before each game Chad would ask Trevor how many goals he was going to make. Trevor would often give a high number. Most of the time he wasn't far off! Chad likes to call Trevor "Ronaldo," after a professional soccer player. He would show Trevor YouTube videos of Ronaldo playing soccer and then Trevor would go out into the backyard and practice moves he saw on the video!

One evening we showed up for Trevor's game and found that the opposing team was not complete. Our friend happened to be the coach of the opposing team and he asked if Tanner and Kaden would be willing to play on his team so the soccer players could still play their game. Tanner and Kaden said they would. Tanner played goalie and Kaden played defense. It was a fun game to watch. It was brother against brother. Much of the time it was Kaden against Trevor and you know they aren't going to take it easy on each other!

Trevor did a great job this year! At the end of the season he and his team were rewarded with nice trophies.

Tanner runs again

Tanner ran on the cross country team again, for the third year in a row. He did a good job. This year he started out well and was motivated, but we kind of messed things up when we went on the Maine trip. When we got back Tanner wasn't as motivated as he had been before the trip. It took a little while to get back into the groove of things. Plus, it didn't help that he had tons of homework from school that kept him up very late his first week back.

Despite all that, Tanner pushed through and finished his season off well. Great job Tanner!

Football Camp

Last year Kaden became a football fan. I think it all started with football cards. He got some cards from a friend at school, then he used his money to buy a ton of football cards. For a while he traded the cards with other kids at school, but that slowly lost its appeal. During the same time, Kaden and his friends started playing football at school.

Almost everyday Kaden came home to tell me all about the football game at lunch recess. He was, of course, one of the best players and he often made touchdowns. If I'm remembering correctly, his team never lost!

Kaden began telling us that he wanted to play football (instead of soccer) the next school year. We were a little surprised, but we figured he would forget about it as the year progressed. Well, we were wrong. Every so often Kaden would remind us about football and we began to realize he wasn't going to forget. He really wanted to play.

At the end of the last school year Kaden brought home the information about football. On the paper it said they would hold a football camp in July for interested kids. I thought this would be a perfect way to figure out just how serious Kaden was about playing football.

Kaden was so excited to start the camp. I took him to the football field, but I couldn't stay so Chad picked him up. Chad left work a little early so he could watch Kaden play. When they got home neither of them were very happy. Chad said Kaden wasn't putting much effort into playing. and he told Kaden he wouldn't be able to play if he didn't try harder. The talk must have worked because Kaden started working harder in the days that followed.

By the end of the camp Kaden was doing well and he still wanted to play football. So, a couple of weeks ago we signed him up for football. The league has put on some free clinics for the last couple of weeks and Kaden is looking good. He has been a trooper. As you know, it has been hot here, but Kaden hasn't complained. This weekend the boys will be evaluated and then the season begins. We are excited, we know Kaden can do great things! It will be neat to see him fulfill the goal he set nearly a year ago.

Off With The Training Wheels

One night while the Taylors were here, Ie Mei and I left the boys home for a little while. When we got back they had something exciting for us to see. Devon was riding his bike without training wheels!

As soon as I got out of the car Devon was calling for me to come see him ride. There was a look of pure happiness on his face! He was so excited.

Devon was so ready to have his training wheels taken off. I think Chad only had to push him once and Devon was off. He was having a blast. It was fun to watch him ride around our driveway, his smile was infectious!

Of course, after watching Devon ride his bike, the other boys had to join in the fun. Kaden and Trevor quickly got on their bikes and started riding, while Austin took Tanner for a ride on his lawn mover toy.

Even Chad joined in the fun. He got on one of the bikes and showed the boys how to do a bunny hop.

Trevor and Kaden tried several times and were finally able to get a little air! You can't really see the air in these photos, but check out their faces. You can tell they are trying really hard.

It was great to see Devon so excited about riding his bike without his training wheels. He is already asking if he can go on the bike ride with Chad and the boys on Saturday!

Grass Stains

This may sound funny, but I am always amazed that grass stains come out of the boy's baseball pants. Every night after baseball the boys give me their dirty baseball pants and I set to work getting them clean. I spray a little Shout on the stain, scrub a little and throw them in the washer.

They always come out clean. It almost makes me wish all of our clothes were made out of polyester . . . almost!

Baseball

This year the boys were excited to play baseball and they all did very well! It was an interesting season, mainly because of the weather. We had so much rain that most of the first half of the season had to be made-up. This meant that we pretty much never left the baseball field when the weather was nice. The boys didn't mind though, they were anxious to get out and play. Tanner and Austin were troopers. They came to almost every game. Tanner didn't always want to be there, but I know Kaden, Trevor, and Devon were glad he was there!

Kaden was in live pitch this year. He was very excited to graduate into this league. Kaden had high hopes for this season. His coach told the team that this year wasn't about winning and that he would move them around to give them a chance to improve. Kaden was glad to hear that because he usually gets stuck out in the outfield because he is smaller than the other players. Unfortunately, for the first couple of games Kaden was put in the outfield and he got discouraged. We reminded him to do his best and work hard to show his coach how well he could play. Kaden did just that and was able to play second and third base occasionally. Kaden made some great outs at second!

We were always excited see Kaden in the infield. As a parent it is frustrating when you see your child not getting the same chances as the other kids. I know Kaden is small, but isn't that what little league is for, to give the kids a chance to learn and grow? Luckily, Kaden doesn't think that way. He always had a good attitude and we saw him improve this season. His throwing arm really improved this year. We are really proud of Kaden and we had a great time watching him play this year!

Trevor also started in a new league this year. He was in machine pitch on the bigger field. Trevor has been anxious to play in this league since he started baseball. He was excited to play with the big boys. Trevor's team was very young though. Many of the players were new to the league or had never played before. Trevor worked very hard. Many times after practice or a game you would find Trevor and Kaden (and sometimes Devon) out in the backyard practicing baseball.

Trevor often got to play third base. He is developing a really good arm. Throwing from third to first base was good for him. We saw Trevor improve a lot over the course of the season. Trevor is a fast runner, but he was a little hesitant at the beginning of the season. By the end he was able to overcome that tendency and really focus on getting to the base quickly. Trevor did a great job and we enjoyed cheering for him at every game.

Before the baseball season started I asked Devon if he wanted to play T-Ball this year. He enthusiastically told me yes and often talked about playing. When the day came to sign the boys up for baseball Chad asked Devon if he was going to play. Devon, of course, said yes. Chad was a little leery of Devon's answer though, because last year Devon played T-Ball and he just basically played in the sand the whole time. I assured Chad that Devon had been excited about playing, but just to be sure Chad reminded Devon that once signed up he had to play, even when he was tired, and he couldn't play in the sand, etc. I think this made Devon nervous because he quickly changed his mind and told Chad that he didn't want to play anymore. This made me nervous. I had a feeling that if we didn't sign Devon up he would want to play once the season started and his brothers were playing. I asked Devon several more times if he wanted to play and he kept saying no.

So what did we do? Well, we decided to sign him up anyway! To butter him back up to the idea of playing we bought him a "new" bat and helmet. The league has a yard sell of sorts during baseball sign-ups. People donate old equipment, then the league sells the equipment very cheap. All the money goes to benefit the league. Anyway, when we got home we told Devon we signed him up and gave him the bat and the helmet. Devon was a little unsure at first, but it didn't take him long to get excited again.

This year Devon was a very different player. He was one of the older kids on the team and he was really into the game. I don't think he played in the sand much, if at all! He used his "new" bat all season long. The bat had flames on it, so I think he thought it was a power bat! He did hit well with it though. Devon got to play in all the positions. He did really well at pitcher, 1st and catcher. Devon has a really good arm and he aims well. I think Devon's favorite position was catcher because he got to interact with the ball so much. It was fun to watch him! We really enjoyed watching Devon get into the game this year! We are excited for him to be in machine pitch next year.