Go Knights!

***Many new posts to bring 2016 up to speed - may want to start with "Great Way to Start a New Year".

A lot of the boys from Owen's soccer team played lacrosse together last spring. We talked about it with Owen but he wasn't interested. This year he told us he wanted to try baseball but when he learned his options were 1) baseball in a league without buddies that we knew of, or 2) lacrosse with a bunch of other 2nd grade boys from school - he chose the scarier option - lacrosse!

The practice gig is still pretty great - its at a field in the backyard of a friend's house that is right by school, so the coach just picks up all the boys and they walk over. I just pick him up later. We didn't initially realize they'd practice 2 times a week which has felt like a lot, but we're making it work. 

Getting the gear was an adventure - its a lot and you get the sense (rightly so) that lacrosse isn't as low-contact as soccer. For our non-aggressive kiddo this was going to be a stretch. Then we watched a few YouTube videos that talked about the basics of the sport and they talked about the rules for "checking" - but we're learning that's not really a thing until the boys get older.

Also learning that Owen prefers a lot of "margin" in regards to afternoon activities - he says he prefers to not have anything scheduled after school. He's pretty cranky after lacrosse - saying he's too tired to do homework or stand up in the shower - but after a little break at home and a snack he's usually okay. Same goes for days he has his piano lesson (at home). So, trying to figure out what the right balance for him and our family is. 

But for the time being, it includes lacrosse. There are only 5 days with games but they do 2 games each time. Our first game day was last Sunday in Dripping Springs. Game #1 was against the team from Smithson Valley (?) of 1st graders - we won. The 2nd game was against the team from Dripping Springs of 3rd graders - they won again!

I barely know anything about the sport, but it sure seemed like they were playing well as a team and passing a lot and hustling, and most importantly having great sportsmanship and having a lot of fun. 

Owen (in white) looks huge next to that little guy.

Team huddle

It was unseasonably cold and windy so the girls pretty much hung out under the blanket and played games on phones.

Game shots - Owen is #10.

Cheering on his boy.

Taking a knee when a little guy on the other team got bonked.

Sun came out so she unwrapped and enjoyed some popcorn.

Parents.

Coach Millington telling them how proud he was of them.

Praying.

Sweet group of boys. Fun game. At this point we hope Owen sticks with lacrosse - we're really enjoying it. Go Knights!