Ella's Soccer Team

Ella has been asking us the entire summer if she could "join a real soccer team."  All of the teams that I looked into, even for her age, required a huge time commitment and Saturday games--both of which we wanted to avoid at this stage.  Instead, we were lucky to find a program through our township called, "Wee Kickers," where kids can learn soccer skills and team building once a week for 45 minutes for 5 weeks.

For her third birthday, Ella was given a real soccer uniform from England from Rob's Aunt Tracy, Uncle Rob, and cousin, Rosina.  She was thrilled to get to wear it for the first time to her 'soccer practice.'  Coincidentally, Ella's soccer coach is from the same town that Rob was from (we learned that they were even born in the same hospital)!  He is great with the kids and Ella has been looking forward to and enjoying her practices.  Molly is a trooper and is a pleasant fan even when I have to wake her up early from her nap to come along.  Nana has also been able to come to watch Ella play.

Ella's soccer uniform

 the team's first meeting with Coach James

 running out onto the field with her ball ready to start

 telling us about her moves

 drink break

 superstar

 dribbling

 dribbling around and catching Coach James' 'monkey tails'

 G-O-A-L!!!!

 running back to give her coach a high-five

(At the end of practice, each kid gets to dribble and make a goal while the rest of the team chants her name and cheers for her)

 team huddle at the end

 "WE LOVE SOCCER!" is how they end each practice

hugs from a favorite fan!