Coop and Colton are playing spring soccer. They have improved quite a bit and are both coming into their own. Their team, the Independence Soccer Club Green Dragons (U8), is 5-0, winning by a total of 33-7. Cooper has scored 7 goals, including at least 1 goal in each of the last 4 games. Colton hasn't scored yet (he plays a little more time on defense than Cooper), but I think his time is coming (they have a game next Tuesday on his birthday so I'm hoping for 1 then). Colton has played good defense and is the only goalie on the team to have not allowed a single goal. The boys love soccer and I eagerly await each of their games, because I love to watch them play, even though I am not the biggest fan of soccer. I remember when we would take them to games a few years ago (which were awful) and they would refuse to go on the field to play with their team or they would cry the whole time. It's so much better now.
Colton is playing up a level this last year. We made the decision to keep the boys together instead of having different games and practices and having to shuttle them back and forth. We made the decision for convenience, but I think it has seriously helped Colton's development. Both of his soccer coaches have mentioned the potential that they see in him. In the last indoor winter soccer session we started with a new coach, who later expressed his initial concern that a 5 year old would likely be too timid and not skilled enough to play up against 8 year olds. After seeing him play one game that thought was in the past and later both he and Cooper were "recruited" to play this spring for his outdoor team.
I'm not sure Colton realizes that he is a 5 year old playing against some kids that are 8 or older. He has held his own against bigger and older competition. He is fearless and aggressive. So no one tell him that he's just a little kindergartner playing against mighty 2nd graders. I've seen some U6 soccer games and if we had put him at that level he would be one of the best players on his team, if not the league. U6 games are at about half the speed that he has become accustomed to.
It has been a very good season and we've seen both boys grow and learn new skills. It brings much joy to my heart to see both of them develop and become better players, especially since both of them love the game so much that they vociferously refuse to play any other team sport.
Changing gears, Connor is just starting to smile some. He focuses more on individuals than he did a few weeks ago. He is so cute and fun, but he is fussy at times. He had a little stint in the hospital, but he's doing fine. Because of my detention in this medical research facility, I have to say I miss him the most. Just because these days when he is so cute and small are so precious.
Below are some, but not all, of the best pictures we have taken for the last month or so.
Granny with Connor on Easter.
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Connor with his bunny butt for Easter.
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Coop holding Connor.
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The boys sitting on the bench during a soccer game.
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Coop playing soccer.
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Colton playing soccer.
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Colton hunting for Easter Eggs before the game.
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Colton getting ready to hit the pinata.
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Cooper hunting for Easter Eggs.
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Connor asleep.
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Cooper's birthday celebration.
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Connor, doing what he generally does best, sleeping. (Though sometimes I wish he would sleep a little better.)
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Connor before being admitted into Children's Hospital. He had bronchialitis. He had to spend a couple of nights in the hospital.
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Coop loves to hold his brother. He's pretty good at it. Sometimes better than me.
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Colton and Connor.
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As I've said, Connor at his best.
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Asleep in his swing. He's only about a week old in that picture.
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Definitely not asleep in the swing.
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Cooper (with Colton) on his 7th birthday. Where does the time go?
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