I've mentioned it before, but Seth and Sam playing soccer with their school team has been such a great thing...for all us. Admittedly, I was super nervous about them having practice four times a week and having a coach that speaks no English; however, neither has been a problem. The boys are happy to have four times a week to run around and burn out their energy and their coach speaking only Spanish has greatly contributed to the bettering of their language skills.
The soccer team has also been an opportunity for Ben and I to meet some of the parents on a consistent basis, and while I still wouldn't say that we're "friends" (like, let's get dinner together friends), it's nice to know a familiar face at a game. I also now know some moms that can help me out with Seth and Sam after school when I'm in a pinch, which feels nice compared to the "all alone on an island" feeling I had our entire first school year here.
With all those positive aspects, who would have thought that as an icing on the cake the Lord would provide the opportunity for Seth and Sam to win two league championships!? To start with, I didn't even know that the boys played in two separate leagues (but that would account for the ungodly number of games). And while I knew that our team rarely lost, I had no idea that there was a championship on the horizon.
Now, let me clarify: our boys did not greatly contribute to the success of these championships (unless you count being strong practice players). Sam played goalie for most of one and some of the other game, and Seth saw maybe a couple minutes of both of the games. However, I'll quote Seth when he said, "It's okay, mom. I got a front row seat to a GREAT game!" Sweet boys. They were just happy and content to play on a team that did so well. And it's really a sweet group of boys (there is about 15 kids, so they all rotate through playing the regular season games). Even the players that are really skilled have been so kind to the twins and the whole team was so excited when Seth and Sam each scored their first goals (in games earlier in the season). Overall, it has just been a great experience.
Pictures from the first league championship back in December:
Sam is playing goalie and as always, we have the best back drop of the mountains.
Sam played goalie for most of this first game, until the other team started making a comeback and his nerves got the best of him (i.e. two pretty easy goals slipped past him).
Seth played for a couple minutes in this game.
Another one of Seth
Josh was thrilled about the championship because someone (Ben) shared a celebration shaving cream bottle with him and he ran around madly squirting anyone that walked (i.e. he got a mom in the face).
They look so happy!
Mexicans take their championships very seriously: we heard Queen's, "We are the Champions," and had an announcer and a stage. Oh, and a fog machine.
And there were medals and a huge trophy.
Seth and Sam
With Coach Mario and the trophy. He's been the kindest coach and has helped to make this such a positive experience for the boys.
Championship #2 was played in mid-January on a beautiful clear day.
Sam also started as goalie this game, but only played around 5 minutes. Both boys played later in the second half as well.
Two time champs! (Sam is sitting next to Pablo, probably the best player on the team and such a nice boy.)
How have my sweet twins grown up so much? Gosh I love these boys and am so proud of them (Sam, Seth)
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