8

8 is the number of soccer games we had this weekend.  Boston had three, Aubrie and Sophia 2, and Ethan had one!
Somehow we survived the weekend.  Boston's tournament started on Friday, and was in Tempe.  We left early and got dinner at Cafe Rio.   I love Boston's team.  The parents are like family, and its always fun being together.   It was a fun night.
Saturday's first games were Ethan and Boston, at the same time and different locations.   Ben took Boston out to Tempe and I went to Ethan's.  Ethan finally got to play goalie the whole first half.  His coach hasn't been playing him because he needs him on the field, but he realized last weekend that he also needs him in goal.  Ethan had some sweet saves.  His team did really well the first half, and they were playing a really hard team.   The problem with Ethan's team however, is when the other team gets two on them they kind of give up.   They ended up losing.  But Ethan had one of the sweetest goals ever.  He dribbled it up the side, with a guy on him the whole time, and then took a side shot and put it right in the top corner of the net!  If it weren't for the no Sunday play thing, he would be on a better team.  I'm so glad he had a great game last weekend and got a hat trick.  He really needed that with all the bad luck he has been having with his team for the past year.  
Aubrie's team did awesome.  Aubrie did AWESOME!  She played hard, like she used to.  She got a hat trick, and a few other shots on goal.  The girls on the other team were yelling to "cover #3", or "don't let number 3 get the ball!"   That is just what Aubrie needed to get her motivated.  Being successful in gymnastics, and then going back to soccer, you don't get that individual praise and recognition like you do at meets.   She is pumped for this weekend's game.   She said "I forgot how good it felt to make goals Mom. "  She has been playing defender for Andy, and is really good at it!  But getting the goals is the feeling she got when she scored high 9's on the beam, etc!  Aubrie also did well at her indoor game.  I wasn't there to watch, but they won again.  Andy is a great coach!
Sophia's tournament was fun for her.  They didn't win either of their games, but they aren't that competitive.  At this age, and with this new program, they are basically developing game skills, ball skills, etc.  Its more entertaining at this level, which is a nice break from the intense competitiveness of Boston's games.  
Soccer is a love/hate relationship for me.  It takes up our weeknights and weekends, but its so fun to watch our kids play.   I look forward to High School, when practices are right after school, and games are during the week, and then we get our weekends back!  Till then, at least I don't have to think about what to put on on Saturday!  (My black Stars Shirt)  That's one perk I guess! :)