Soccer Camp

M participated in a Challenger soccer camp the last week of May.  We debated about putting her in the 4-5 year old class, but after reading the description we thought she might get bored (and you don't want her bored) so we decided to challenge her a bit and put her in the 5-6 year old class.  I'm so very glad that we did!  She was definitely the youngest, but it was good for her to try to keep up with the older kids.  The camp was amazing!  They taught the kids a ton of footwork with games, one-on-one time with the coaches, scrimmages, and repetition.  I was muy impressed.  

On a side note, all the coaching staff is from England or Scotland.  After the first day, I asked M what her coaches' names were and she responded, "Mama, I'm not sure.  I can't understand a word they are saying.  They must be speaking Spanish or something!"  I love her age.  I explained that they were in fact speaking English, but they had a different accent.  :)

The second day when I asked she told me that one of the coaches names was Mousey.  In my head I thought, surely not, but on the last day when they introduced themselves he introduced himself as Mousey.  Haha!  What do I know!

M getting some help from Mousey

So much enthusiasm

and determination to learn the footwork

Being the youngest meant that M was not as fast as the other kids and struggled with the foot work a little more, but there was one game they played that she WON.  She was so proud!

It began with the coaches on the sides (the lasers) trying to tag the kids with the balls.  Once tagged a person than became a laser and before kids ran and dodged the lasers they had to put their hands on their hips and listen for the question, "Are you ready?"  Their reply (while rotating their hips) was, "Yeah Baby!"  So funny to watch!  Anyway M was never tagged that first day.  I guess it pays to be little and quick at times.  

Waiting to run

Dodging the lasers

"Yeah, Baby!"

Last kid standing

Dodging the lasers one last time to win

She was pretty tuckered out by the fourth day

Small ceremony-

Coaches said M's group was one of the hardest working, well-behaved groups 

they had ever worked with. 

Great job at camp, M!

This will not be the last Challenger Camp that we participate in.  

Spring Soccer

M also participated in Spring soccer this year.  She was able to play on a team with quite a few of her neighborhood friends and two neighborhood moms coached them.  So fun!

Her last game was the day after we returned from CA.  She was one tired cookie, but still worked hard.  This year we had so much fun watching her.  She had grown so much since last Spring.  Last year at age 4 she did a lot of this:

This year was completely opposite.  She was always on the move and she's FAST.  A complete go-getter.  Her competitive side came out.  She was determined to get a goal (and she did get quite a few).  There were even a few moments where Aaron and I were telling her to let the other girls on her team have a turn with the ball.  I guess we will work on passing to our team mates next season (and she got an early start on this skill at the camp she went to this past week...more to come on that soon).

She is after it

Taking it down for a goal

Then the ref got in the way

and she made her very first goal

Miss Attitude, Serious Focus, and a Corner Kick

Can't wait for fall season!

Way to go, M!!!!!!!

Dance Recital

M finished up her year of dance class with a recital on May 19th.  

They danced to "When You Wish Upon a Star," and she was so excited to get to wear her favorite color:  PURPLE!!!!

Good job, M!!  

Mama, Daddy, and G are very proud of you.

Look who....

Figured out how to ride her tricycle.

She is pretty proud of herself and so are we!

Then the party was over....

Before we knew it our Disneyland adventure came to a close.  We needed to pack up and head home.  We came home with countless unforgettable memories and one tired family.  

So thankful for this chance to get away and play with our girls! 

Last minute fun by the fountain

(We turned our backs for one minute and caught M with the fountain water in her mouth spitting it at G.  So GROSS!!!!  Thankful she didn't get sick.  She is going to have the best immune system ever.)

Passed out on the shuttle bus....

this took about 5 seconds!

(This 45 minute cat nap would hold them over for the entire rest of the trip home.  

This made for one sad Mama!)

And that's all folks!