Soccer--Everyone is doing it.

Halfway through soccer season. Ike and Mitch are playing again this year but we are making Ethan wait another year before his debut. It's very fun to watch them play even though it eats up three nights a week. Hub is coaching Mitch's team and helping out w/ Ike's when needed. This means my sideline job is to mostly keep Noelle and Ethan off the field and out of my purse (why are they always convinced I hide a stash of candy in there? I don't for the very reason it means they'll be digging through my purse)

Here's Ike on the run (blonde boy in the blue). He gets into the games and always is moving the ball. He gets mad when he's subbed out even though his face is flaming red from all the running and he looks as if he has heat stroke.

This is Mitch (in the yellow shirt, dead center, cheesing at the camera). There weren't as many running shots of him since he generally prefers the ball to come right to him if he's going to kick it. The game had started when Mitch noticed I had my camera ready so of his own accord he stopped moving and smiled (as did the girl next to him) so I could get a good shot.

Something I have noticed since putting my kids into sports-- I am not one of the parents who quietly sits on the sidelines. I am constantly coaching and yelling. Not mean and abusive yells, mind you ( I save those for the privacy of my home), but helpful shouts of encouragement and advice. Sometimes I am by other parents who do this as well--mostly moms---but then there are the times when I am sitting by the mute ones--mostly dads-- and I feel a little self-conscious when I start jumping up and down and shrieking. Do the mute ones just not see the point of yelling when the kids can't hear? Am I really annoying them? Or have they just had a long day at work? What kind of fan are you?