Lil Drlich Kickers

(Sidenote: The word "lil" while endearing to read, is entirely a different beast to say, not to mention, you feel sort of like an a-hole when you say it. So, feel free to say "little" when you are reading this blog aloud, as I am sure you do all of these posts. Probably after dinner. Like, as your family gathers 'round the hearth and sips hot cocoa ... that's when you read the blog aloud. So, say "Little Drlich Kickers" instead of "lil," just so you don't sound like an a-hole).

A couple months ago on a major planning frenzy, I signed up the boys for some Lil Kickers soccer action this summer. This basically means that the boys show up once a week to an indoor sports place and run around and play games, and also kick some balls. I know that Sam is young, but I thought it would be better for him to participate while Abe was doing it, rather than sitting on the sidelines with Jake. And, there was a class offered in his age group at the same time as Abe's class, although, the parent is to accompany them. Which, I thought, worked perfectly for EVERYONE. See, I am such a good planner. Me and the internet against the world.

So, today was their first class of Lil Kickers, and I did not know what to expect. I decided to meet the fam there to feel out the first day. I was actually a little concerned for Abe, because he was to "go it alone" and wanted to make sure he felt comfortable.

Well, when I saw the Rav 4 filled with my handsome boys and their smiling faces, I knew that it would be just fine. Abe was talking a mile a minute about getting ready to play soccer and wondering if everyone was going to like him. "Of course they would!" I said, as I knelt down and tied his ugly, brown replacement shoe strings on his Nikes (not if they see his shoestrings, I thought).

We skipped on into the giant complex, passing all of the children in day camps (nearly missing a melt down from Abe because he thought those were "his kids!!!!") and found the Lil Kickers area. The young girl who was their coach was very energetic and straight away handed them tshirts and water bottles. Which, was a good sign. Free stuff!! It became apparent that Abe's group and Sam's group where smack dab next to each other. But, I really didn't need to worry because Abe took off and started running around and kicking balls (I secretly think he was trying to impress everyone).

Sam, on the other hand, maintained a death grip on Jake's shirt and would NOT let Jake put him down. I have yet to figure out this side to Sam's personality. The side where he does not like people and kids and everything that he usually likes. I call this Bazarro Sam. Bazarro Sam continued to bury his head in Jake's head and refused to make eye contact with anyone. After about 10 minutes, he allowed Jake to put him down on the ground, and then he started kicking balls with freakish force. But, uh oh, they switched up the games and now it was time to run down the field. Nope. I don't think so. Meltdown #1.

Meanwhile, I am in the stands with some Carmel moms. Most of the time I was on butt-crack watch for Jake's sake, but I was also eavesdropping into conversations. One mom loved to narrate everything she was doing with her little girl, who definitely seemed to run her. This lady was very tiny. Like four feet tall. Her son was in Abe's class, and made Abe look like a giant. In fact, Abe was by far the tallest kid in the class. I am sure the Carmel Moms thought that he was like 15 or something.

I checked back into Sam and Jake. Jake is pouring sweat off his face, and Sam has snot pouring out of his nose. They are stacking orange cones now, which seems to make Sam happy. Sam's "coach" keeps repeating questions to him over and over, which I KNOW is driving Jake insane.

Three more meltdowns from Sam, and it was over. Abe LOVED it. He also told me that his coach was beautiful. (I also wonder if he told her he was "into Spider-Man now." He tells that to everyone. I am not kidding -- he told that to a lady in the luggage aisle at Target.) Everyone was really nice, and were very reassuring about Sam. There were only 2 other kids in his class, so hopefully next time he will be a little better.

I promise to bring my camera to one of these things. At least to get some good butt-crack shots of Jake.