Gideon's first soccer game.

    What a fun first game.  This age is so much fun to watch.  It's all fun and not too serious.  The little guys and gals just run and kick at the ball.  There are lots of stops to tie and shoes and pick up someone who has fallen and feels like lying there instead of getting up. 
     Gideon scored a few times and was very aware of when he needed to run back and defend his goal.  He is much bigger than most of the team and seems to have a lot more experience although his only soccer playing has been with siblings in the yard.  He is playing on a team for 5 and 6 year olds and he is only 5, but we have wished a few times that we had moved him up to the next age bracket to give him more of a challenge and a chance to learn more.  He is having fun so the real goal has been met. 
     The ref did not show up so I volunteered Dan to ref.  He enjoyed being able to see the game well and work with the kids.  It was their first game so there was a lot of explaining throw-ins, goal kicks and other little rules. Dan did so well that the coach texted me that night and asked if he could come and help out at practice that week and give them some tips.