Soccer season, and this and that!

So soccer has begun this week... did I mention that hockey and swimming haven't finished yet... no, well, they haven't... this Saturday and next are every mother's nightmare schedule wise. Both boys have swimming and soccer at the same time, and Tristan has hockey on top of that... at the same time. Tristan's soccer coach, that he has had for 3 years now, says its time to make choices - as in, choose soccer or else. He did mention that he has to make recommendations for intercity players... no pressure, none whatsoever (I really mean that, but I think said coach was trying to apply pressure). So choices have been made, and swimming and hockey have won out this time... see told you, no pressure. I am zen about all this sports stuff - if its meant to be, its meant to be no matter what I try to "force". (I was once one of those parents with stars in her eyes, but I have been sitting in a freezing hockey arena and a freezing soccer pitch once too often now, and I just go to enjoy to watch my kids learn new and exciting things now).



Now, having said all this, Tristan did really well even though he didn't want to go (he believes that his whole world is hockey, and the NHL). By the time we got there, he was just bubbling with enthusiasm and he found his form and his friends. I was very pleased to see him at the front of the pack during the running warm up, while some 4 or 5 kids were obviously lagging waaaaayyyyy behind and struggling. It reassures me that I keep these boys active and in good health (as was confirmed by his pediatrican recently - she let out, by surprise, what good shape he is in, with a very athletic build). He is also very tall - he is playing on U-8, even though he is just turned 7 and is among the tallest in the team of 12 boys.

They start playing positions this year, which is rough but Tristan tried hard to follow his coach's direction even though he couldn't always hear what was said to him (those soccer parents just talking away... yes, I am one of them, so I can put us down). He played defense for his two rotations on the field, but wasn't too pleased about it, but he did manage to get a kick on goal which was stopped. Final score, 0-0 (phew!).

Warming up!
(Yes, I make him wear a hat that protects his beautiful face and head from sun exposure, and I am one of the only ones... one thing I strongly believe in, and the boys have learned not to argue the point with me).

That's one way to corral a bunch of 7-8 year old boys.

Listening intently... well at least 2 out of 5 are. That is William (baseball cap) and Ulysse (blondish kid), just a couple of Tristan's best buddies.

More on soccer with Zach when I can actually get him to a game! He is part of the orange team, by the way. On Zach, he is just bubbling today cause he gets to go to school in grade 1 with Tristan this morning - Zach will be in grade 1 come September, and they set up a visit of the school for the kids prior to the start. Tristan and Zach were just bouncing, bouncing, bouncing with glee and happiness at the thought of spending the morning together at school. Tristan said very proudly that he would be giving up his chair to Zach during class, but that he would stay close to Zach to help him understand how things work. What a great bunch of kids we have!

As for my weight, well I only lost 1.6 lbs this month, as I sort of let things go a bit but overall I have lost 17 1/2 inches all over (down 2 inches from last month). Back on the wagon this month!

Finally, I have been quiet cause I have a big decision to make about work seeing as I am supposed to return in early September. Thanks to Nathalie for our nice long chat and words of wisdom. I haven't sent my decision in yet to my boss, but I am getting to a point of acceptance about it. I thought this quote I stumbled across recently summed up things beautifully (Thucydides):

"The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to meet it."