This fall, Lucy decided she wanted to play on the Northfield Dynamos girls soccer team. Considering the fact that she probably couldn't even identify a soccer ball until a couple of months ago, it was a pretty steep learning curve. We supplemented the practices by having our own Gray Family soccer games most nights. Gradually, she stopped saying "eeeep" whenever the ball came her way, and learned to avoid the impulse to use her hands. Austin made her watch soccer with him on TV. Considering where she was when she started, she was pretty great by the time the season ended with a final big win on Saturday.
She absolutely had a blast. Lots of her good friends from 3rd and 4th grade were on the team.
Home games were at a field next to a cemetery. (They aren't actually playing in the cemetery, it just looks that way from these pictures.)
Thank goodness Grandma sent her a red sweatshirt so she didn't freeze on chilly days! Though most of the time she appeared to be playing for Team Snowbird.
The coach was wonderful. He was one of the girls' dad, but also coach of the Montpelier High School boys soccer team. He taught them very well and spent practices running drills. (Gavin: "I don't get it Mom. When are they going to get out the drills?" Evidently he thought there would be power equipment involved.) Even though the coach was a "pro" he did a great job of keeping it fun and emphasizing inclusiveness and sportsmanship.
Who wouldn't love playing with these silly girls?
