Say It Ain't So

This soccer year is officially over and it was a good one. I certainly had a good time watching MyGirl and all of her friends play lots of good soccer. I have to admit at the beginning of Fall, I was a bit nervous.

Coach #3 scared me a little bit at first. He’s very direct. If you ask him a question, please make sure that you are ready to hear the answer. At our first team meeting, he laid down his rules. I remember one rule in particular:

‘You are strictly prohibited from having conversations with him if you are upset directly after practice or a game. If you would like to schedule a time to discuss an issue with him, he is happy to do so. You must wait at least three days to allow yourself to calm down so that you can have a rational, adult conversation.’

(Hmmm, I believe three days is exactly the waiting period for a handgun permit, JUST KIDDING – where we live handguns are not allowed in public parks. Teehee.)

Turns out – I ended up really liking Coach #3. And more importantly, so did MyGirl.

The girls worked hard and learned so much so just like we have every other year, we planned an end-of-the-year party. MyPartnerInCrime (MPIC) had it at her house.

(She’s StrikerGirl’s mom and she is HILARIOUS. MPIC is one of the top five things I LOVE about Travel Soccer. Her husband UTDad – is another one of the top five things.)

She is always a great hostess. The weather was PERFECT for a pool party and luckily – MPIC has an awesome pool with an awesome backyard.

Now, since I have appointed myself the Chairman of the Fun Committee, when MPIC suggested we make tie-dye shirts for the girls, I reluctantly agreed. I have made tie-dyed shirts at least 50 times and I am a self-proclaimed Queen of it. (Self-esteem issues? I think not.)

While the weather was perfect for a pool party, it was too dang hot for standing in the hot, hot sun to tie-dye t-shirts. I downed one diet coke and 4 Gatorades by the time it was over and I swear I would still be there right now if another mom hadn’t stepped in to help me. (Thanks!)

Anyway, the girls and their siblings were splashing around and coming out in small groups to dye their shirts while the other mom and I melted in the sun while explaining precisely how to get the perfect swirl. Every now and again, we could hear a loud laugh from the shaded patio where all the other parents were sitting.

The shirt dying was over at exactly the same time that the food was ready. So, the tie-dye station was cleaned up it was finally time for me and the other mom to sit in the shade and laugh. The food was delicious. And everyone had a really good time. Pictures are starting to roll in of the girls in their shirts and they look fabulous. (The girls and the shirts!)

I am going to miss this year. It’s been fun. The girls have been successful: Four tournaments entered…. Four hard-fought Championship games…. Four Finalist medals. And really – that doesn’t even measure their improvement.

Try-outs are in one-and-a-half weeks. I don’t know who MyGirl’s coach is going to be next year or what team she’ll be on. I don’t know what next year is going to be like or who the parents are that I’ll be sitting with on the sidelines. But, whatever happens, it will be fine.

I do have one concern: I have to find another project for next year’s end-of-the-year party. AND – it’s got to be better than Tie Dye!! Suggestions welcome.

Note to self: Don’t start with the good stuff.