and so it begins...

This weekend the soccer games began.

Oh, Lord help me.

Gray's was first, and it was just about the cutest thing I've ever seen. Three and four year olds who were basically completely clueless as to the rules or point of the game, and you couldn't help but giggle at them out there running around. I think Gray made contact with the ball once, and spent most of the time completely distracted by the parents cheering from the sidelines.

Miller's game was this morning. He is in the 7-8 age group and let me just say - THOSE PARENTS NEED A HOBBY. I don't know what possesses otherwise normal parents to scream, "Brandon, get the ball! Get the ball, Brandon! Get it! Kick it! Get it Brandon!!" at least 5,495 times during a one hour game, but lets just say I wanted to wallop someone (or a lot of someones) by the time the game was over. Somewhere in this sports-dominated (gag!) society of ours, something has been lost. And that something is called LETTING KIDS BE KIDS. They are 7 and 8 year olds playing soccer in a recreational soccer league. This isn't the damn World Cup. Chill, people! I was proud of my little man, although he doesn't think he is very good and I've been trying to do some morale boosting. He enjoyed seeing the pictures I took of him.

And of course, I've realized that another new lens would be really nice to get their games. A Canon 70-200 f/2.8L, perhaps? I like how a $40 soccer season is suddenly turning into an $1100 lens purchase:-)

Anyway, here are some shots from the past two days.

Gray, the biggest man on his team:


Everett on the sidelines. I'm really hoping the kid has some hair by kindergarten:

A hug after playing:

With his coach and teammates:


Gray and his buddy Jake after the game:


Miller's game this morning:


I call this his "Future Hunk" picture. Check out those golden locks:-)


Going after the ball:


Grrr... mean face!