Soccer, Sunsets & Sleet

After basketball ended, we asked Jaxen if he would like to play soccer.

A few boys from his basketball team were going to play soccer together,

and Jaxen said he wanted to try it out - so we signed him up!

Our soccer season so far has been a mix of beautiful nights, warm temps, sunsets,

and very cold sleeting mornings!

The field where they practice and play is seriously awesome to see the sunset….

but on the flip side, bitter cold when the ‘Kansas-wind’ is blowing strong! 

Nice sunsets, but also cute kids :) win win.

Zane was busy perfecting his basketball-shooting while they were practicing last week!

See him in the red shirt (below), throwing the soccer ball into the net?

Saturday was their first game.

It was supposed to be the Saturday before…but that game got cancelled due to cold weather.

Jaxen was pumped. 

Until we stepped out the car.

It was cold.

Low 30’s. Strong winds. And then the sleet came.

Sideways sleeting, for a time.

I did not dress him or myself appropriately.

I knew it was cold…but thought he would warm up as he ran around.

I’m thankful for the (prepared) mom who had an extra beanie and gloves Jaxen borrowed!

I did think to bring a chair and a (thin) blanket.

Look at these people, ready to watch 5 year olds play soccer!

Poor Jaxen.

He tried. But would not move. An inch. He was frozen solid.

We kept telling him he would warm up if he moved. Nope.

 Once the game started, I thought he would maybe start moving.

Nope.

He is literally standing in the same place he was in the above pic (right before the game started).

And did not move. 

They just carried on, playing all the way around him.

 Finally, after about 15 minutes, the coach put him as goalie (he loves goalie).

No movement.

It was finally half-time and he ran to sit with me and my blanket.

I did my best to warm him up.

When it was time to play again the coach asked Jaxen if he was ready.

No.

The coach said “What if I carry you out there”?

Jaxen thought it was funny, so he let his coach carry him on the field.

The second Jaxen’s feet hit the ground, he came running back to me.

It was pretty hilarious and everyone laughed…

but by the time he got to me, he was crying. 

He was so cold and so sad and did not want to stand there in the cold again.

So - I held my boy as close as I could, trying to keep him warmed up,

and we cheered on his team.

We stayed until the end and high-tailed it out of there!

On the way home, Jaxen was so serious,

and said “Mommy, I really don’t want it to be so cold the next game.

I did not like this winter day in spring!”

Neither did I buddy.

Saturday is supposed to be 45 and raining.

And he has 2 games scheduled.

I’m seriously re-thinking this soccer gig :)