It's getting intense!

If I could remember which box I packed the old photo albums in, I would share pictures of a sturdy 2 year old girl juggling a soccer ball.  Ali says soccer is "in her bones".  

This is our first year of "select" soccer and the competition has gotten fierce.  Ali is a very physical player.  I am always proud of her, although I have to remind myself that playing hard soccer doesn't equal poor sportsmanship.  We have done a decent job of raising a gracious athlete, I hope.  We don't suffer her soccer schedule, we really enjoy watching her do what she loves.  She is a firecracker on the field!  

Let me tell you about #27.   #27 decided to take it upon herself to harass and antagonize #79.  She repeatedly got behind Ali and shoved her back, shoulder, side.  I was shocked!  When did this start happening?  Where is the stinking ref??  Right?  Joe told me to simmer down and see how Ali would handle it.  And handle it she did.  She handled it with a bit of sharp elbow and I sank down in my chair a bit afraid of what the other parents were going to say!  And #27 backed off.  

Ali is significantly smaller than the other girls in her age division.  But she is really scrappy.  Like the discreet handful of jersey she has there?  

She takes losses hard and personally.  She is her worst critic and I occasionally have to remind her to leave the game on the field.  I always love her smiles on the sidelines and the high fives and "good game!" that follow us all the way to the car.