A Soccer Mom...

Yep, that's me. I never thought it would be, but it is, as of yesterday. Secretly, I have never been a really big soccer fan. I've always just preferred rugby, I guess the players appeal to me more (apologies to those of you who either play soccer or are married to soccer players). I like my men big and strong and unshaven and burly. But that's another post...

So, yesterday Jake went down to the local club for his first practise and was SO excited. I guess world cup fever has hit! The terrible and we're really in the thick of winter in Cape Town at the moment. I was a little concerned that we'd get to the fields and Jake would hang onto me, performing that he couldn't go alone. But he surprised me and was totally extroverted. He had a FABULOUS TIME and can't wait for his next practise. Oh, and considering how little he knows about the game, he's playing a match tomorrow...

Off he goes, with his coach, Bernie...Since we were first to arrive, Bernie kicked the ball with Jake a little...Hey!! Wrong game!! And, yes, he did walk away, then run and kick the ball as they do in rugby. He still has a few things to learn...Once the other kids arrived (they were seriously late!), they did a few sprints...And dribbling races. See that blonde kid? He's Michael. He was a play school with Jake year before last. And the kid in the blue shirt too. Jake was very excited to see his old buddies (they were really good friends, but went to another school last year) again... Action...Not sure why he's doing it, but in almost all my photos of Jake at practise, he has his fingers twisted like this...It was after seeing the other parents on the sidelines that I realised I didn't have to strain to take photos through the fence, that I could actually go in. The two ladies on the side are Michael's moms and the guy is father to Dano, the kid in blue's father...

Sorry, I know there are a lot of photos, but... I had to...

The practise was an hour, from 5 - 6pm, which is quite late for a wintry evening in my opinion and I was quite glad to climb into the car with my heater afterwards. Also late because bed time's at 7pm sharp for Jake and it meant we only got home at 6:20 and he still had to eat and have a bath. Might've been a little long for little people too, but I guess it's all about toughening them up... They did a little goal shooting...hahahaaa. Looks like he's doing a rain dance...Towards the end of practise, they had a little match amongst themselves, which was too funny for words - wherever the ball goes, the entire team follows. The match on Saturday morning should be interesting...But, Jake kept up and had fun. He was exhausted (and thirsty) afterwards...You can't do that in soccer either. Even I know that the goalie's chalked out area is out of bounds. The other kids seemed to know that too... It didn't stop play though...And I was very impressed to see Jake asserting himself and giving it a good go...Staying with soccer fever, Jake was bakerman at school this morning. Once a week someone has to bring cookies to school and then everyone else has to buy them from the kid who brings. All funds go to the school, of course, and not the parent who stood sweating (not really) in the kitchen. For those of you not in the know, green and gold are our team colours...Complete with a little South African flag...Again, keeping with the whole World Cup theme, Jake has a new Bafana Bafana shirt. Bafana Bafana is the local name for our South African team, it means the boys, the boys. In South Africa, there's quite a racial divide between those who support our rugby (predominantly white) and those who support soccer (predominantly black) teams. While I'm not much of a sports fan, I just feel that it's important to show our support and stand behind our soccer team as they face some of the best teams in the world. I feel proud to be South African and I know my heart will swell with pride as I watch Bafana Bafana singing our national anthem in the opening game. I really believe that it's moments like this that bring a country together... My dad, Jake & Connor posing this morning before school...
OK, I'm done. You can go now. My only other news is that I registered Jake for Grade 1 yesterday. I can't believe we're getting ready to start big school already. He's going to go to our local school, Edgemead Primary and can't wait. The time has flown, where did my baby go?? Anyway, I hope you all have super weekends, I promise to catch up on my blog reading next week. I am very behind. This weekend's set to be nice and quiet, next week's going to be insane, so I'm looking forward to catching up this one. Happy mother's day to all those moms and mother-figures, I hope you're as spoiled as you deserve!

XXX