Well holy crap. Who is this big kid in a soccer uniform complete with shin guards and cleats?

(And why did they give everyone such enormously huge socks?! The heel comes up past her ankle!)

Who is this big girl who has a NUMBER on her back?

Who is this big girl running around with other kids after a soccer ball?

(She’s the second one, right behind the girl in pink)

I can’t believe she’s going to school in the fall and now she’s going to play a team sport. When did she get so big?

They explained to us that at this age it’s more about encouragement and fun, as well as learning to play as a team so there are no refs and no goaltenders. There are 12 kids on her team and they play four at a time with a rotation every five minutes so everyone gets plenty of time to play. It sounds like a lot of fun and the coach seems very nice. Also, knowing how loudly girls can scream and shriek, you have to admire someone for being willing to take on 12 of them at once; he’s a dad to two girls himself so I guess he knows what he’s in for!

The coach said he would love it if some parents would volunteer to assist him so that there’s never a bunch of kids just sitting around alone. I figured it would be a good way to get really involved and also an opportunity to get to know the other parents, so I went up to him after the orientation was over and volunteered. I guess I was the first one to approach him about it because he told me I should bring a picture next time and he’ll give me a form to fill out and I’ll get some sort of card or something to wear as the – in his words – “official assistant coach”. That’s hilarious to me since I’ve never even played soccer in my entire life.

I’m looking forward to the season though, and we’ll see how it goes. Chantal, I may require tips!