I get a kick out of you!

PJ had his first day of soccer this weekend! I did not find out about this program until a day or two before it was slated to begin, but it was perfect timing. Cheer will be coming to an end for the season next month and Pete and I really wanted another group activity for PJ to take part in. When my friend Jennifer messaged me about a soccer program (TOPS Soccer) for children with special needs, I knew we had hit the jackpot!

Saturday morning was chilly and very windy, so we bundled up and headed to the soccer field to get PJ registered. We weren't on the field for a moment or two before a lovely, athletic-looking teenage girl asked if PJ was looking for a buddy. He, of course, was, and a match was made. Pete and I left PJ in Maria's very capable hands while we registered him and collected his jersey, shorts, shin guards, and brand-new soccer ball.

For a while, soccer practice looked like this...



...and like this.


Poor Maria did a LOT of chasing! 

...like this...


...aaaaaand like this...


Lordy.

PJ needed his Daddy on the field for a little extra support. Mommy stayed on the sidelines, snapping pictures and wishing for coffee. It was COLD!


PJ started to feel comfortable, and after a while, soccer looked like this...


...and like this...


...and this...


...and this...


Watching PJ put on the field was proof of just how far he has come. A few months ago, it might have taken PJ a few weeks to get comfortable enough to really try out what was asked of him. He hung in there for the whole hour and when he was done he was exhausted and had a runny nose, but he had clearly had fun! Pete and I are looking forward to seeing how soccer turns out, and so thankful that there are opportunities like this for PJ. 

Hooray for new adventures!! 

LINKING UP!



2 comments

Shelly said...

this made me cry. happy tears!! and the cone head? priceless! xo

Tennessee Sump Pump Repair said...

Grreat reading your post