Kamden's FIRST Soccer Game!

It has been a good while since we have attempted a team sport for Kamden. When he was younger, we tried Flag Football and pretty much left every practice kicking and screaming. He would either be too shy to interact with the other kids or too bored to keep his interest long enough to play. He was so timid around new people back then, but now he is just the opposite! So far his favorite sports to play are golf and he is also a strong swimmer. Although he enjoys watching football, basketball and baseball-- he hasn't shown any interest in participating in any of those just yet. If he ever decides to pick them up, I must say he has a strong throwing arm that is for sure! Recently, we noticed his ability to run super fast and pretty quick with his feet. He has enjoyed playing soccer in the yard just for fun and when we asked if he would be interested in playing this year he finally agreed. He was very excited for his first practice two weeks ago and even though he seemed slightly nervous at first, he got over that in a hot minute and jumped right in. At his first two practices he quickly made a handful of new friends, but most importantly he had a lot of fun. It was also a plus that the other parents were very welcoming and friendly and quickly introduced themselves. After all this time, I think we finally found a great way to meet new people since we are new to the area.

Snack Packs I made for Kamden's Team!

It just so happens that for the first game, it was our turn to send snacks. Of course, y'all know me... I love a good themed anything, any excuse to get creative and always... always way over the top! haha. So on that note, I decided to take this snack thing to the next level and made these super cute treat bags to kick off the season. I took a short cut this time and found these cute pre-made freebie printables by searching on Pinterest. They had the option to print directly onto the treat bags, but I found it quicker and easier just to cut and paste them on. I found the blue treat bags to match the team colors at the Dollar Tree and it was the perfect amount (10 of each). I then picked up some Cheeze It Gripz, GoGo Squeeze Applesauce and Mini blue Gatorades to go in the bags. I tried to find snacks that were somewhat healthy, but also fun and hopefully all of the kids liked. I also stopped by Party City to get the chocolate foil wrapped candy that was made to look like soccer balls. You can get 15 pieces for $1, so they weren't too expensive to make. I placed 8 each of these into small snack size ziplock bags also from the Dollar Tree. I then took the other printable and just simply stapled it to the top of the bags. These were so cute, quick and easy to make... just my kind of project! Everyone on the team rushed over to grab one of these after the game and they absolutely went crazy over them. Even the coach said, "These are amazing... You're really setting the bar high this season with the snacks." Yes... that's me alright and I am delighted to say I am officially a soccer mom! Yay!

Kamden's FIRST Soccer Game!

So today was the big day... his FIRST soccer game! It was bitter cold... a high of 38 degrees here in North Carolina! Living in Florida for so long, we are not used to this kind of weather anymore. I made sure to go yesterday to Dick's Sporting Goods and track down some Under Armour thermals for him to wear under his uniform. They were almost sold out or picked over with winter being almost over, so I was lucky to find anything at all. But we all bundled up and made it work and it wasn't as bad as we thought it would be for so early in the morning.

Kamden having fun playing in his game

He is in the Twin City Soccer league, which seems to be the most popular for youth in this community. His team name is the Blizzards and his first game was at 10:30am against the Avalanche. It was held down at the BB&T Soccer Park in Advance, NC (about a 15-20 minute drive from us). The park was really nice and they had tons of fields and games going on simultaneously. Coach Philip was great about rotating the kids so that everyone got a fair amount of playing time. Kamden was also goalie for a few minutes. They didn't practice this before, so he didn't know you could pick the ball up with your hands as long as it was in the goal box and the other team scored on him. He brushed it off and was too busy having fun to really notice the difference. The other team ended up winning 4 to 2, but they all really played a great game. Kamden was the only kid out there that had a smile on his face the entire time. You could tell he was just happy to be there and having a blast, which is really all we could ask for. I'm just glad he is finding himself, discovering what he loves, staying active, meeting new friends and making awesome memories along the way.

Baby Maelynn, Aunt Sheila, Cousin Sarah and Queenie Terri was there to see him play!

On the way to the game, Maelynn fell asleep in the car and was taking her usual morning nap. She was asleep through the cold and all for the first few minutes but then woke up to take in all the action. Kamden's Aunt Sheila and her friend Candice had come into town the last night to visit and was able to make it to the game. My mom (Kamden's Queenie) and cousin Sarah, who he really thinks is his big sister, was also able to drive in from Hendersonville early this morning. We didn't tell him they were coming and when he saw them walk across the field his little face lit up like the fourth of July. After the game was over, they gave him a little Owl and tiny seal (because he is the biggest animal lover you've ever met and they always bring him treats when they see him). He just loved it, but most of all that some of his favorite people and family were there to watch him play today. That meant the world to him. After we went to lunch down the road at the Villa Grill... a great spot for Philly cheese steak subs and homemade chips. After everyone headed back home, I took Kamden to get a long overdue hair cut at V's Barber Shop. We have been trying different barbers to find the one we like. He looked so handsome and grown up after his fresh cut. Since it was right near the Thruway Shopping Center (one of our favorite new local hang out spots), we couldn't help but stop in Dewey's Bakery for some sweet treats and to window shop at Toys & Co. All in all it was a great family day and definitely one for the memory books. We are all looking forward to many more Saturdays like this... and to think, this is only the beginning!