Nolan's Sports Teams: 2017

2017 was the first real year for organized sports for Nolan. Last year he played soccer, but it wasn't a true team, more just playing games with the soccer ball.

This year Nolan played both tee-ball and soccer through the township sports in our little town, and we have LOVED both experiences so much! 

In the spring, Nolan was Team Scrappers for Tee-Ball and had so much fun! He was on the younger side of the team (he was in Pre-K, just turning 4 with kids in Kindergarten/almost 6), but progressed so much throughout the season. He had a great coach that was very patient and enthusiastic, and is already asking when the next season starts!

Practices/posing in the backyard with Daddy :)

Nolan did so well throughout the season and jumped right in even though he didn't know any of the other kids on the team prior to his first practice. This was a big change from last year's soccer team where he had to be pushed to join in.

At the end of the season, Nolan got his first ever sports trophy! He was SO excited and it's prominently displayed in his room :)

Team Scrappers: Ryker, Nolan, Jack, Turner, Cole, Nate

For the fall season, it was onto Soccer! This was a season of ups and downs and maturity growth. Nolan this time was on the older side of the teammates (team was birth years 2012 and 2013) and was one of the strongest players on the team! He also became very competitive and quick to tears if/when the other team scored. Scoring is pretty frequent as it is sides of 5 on a short field with no goalies!

Nonetheless, we battled through with Nolan to take the highs along with the lows of sports, and he progressed a ton. He regularly scored 3-5 goals a game and was super speedy at getting back on defense! I do see a natural talent here, especially with speed, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses as long as he is still interested in playing year after year. Thus far, he can't wait to play again!

Nolan was on the white team (they named themselves the Volcanos). Joe stepped up and signed up as assistant coach this time, and got more than he anticipated since they split the team in half for games and play in parallel fields so he had to serve as head coach for half the team each weekend! :)

My buddy on the sideline. She loved cheering for Nolan and was happy as long as I had lots of snacks ;)

Giving Coach Daddy a hug

Nolan got to meet a player from the Philadelphia Union and got his yellow ball autographed!

Playground fun post-game

Another sport, another trophy! You know he was all about it!

And what's better than a post-game donut?!

It was so fun to get back into sports through the eyes of my son this year. I look forward to many more weekends of cheering him on (and Emmy once she's older). Through the local leagues we've also met lots of kids and parents that will soon be his classmates/parents when he starts in public school next year for 1st grade. It's been a great experience so far with the leagues and the parks are in the most beautiful settings. Lots to be thankful for and to look forward to!