Watching NikkiZ play soccer is an interesting thing. First of all? She’s kinda fast. She many not win a foot race against everyone she goes up against, but she finishes with the lead pack. And holy crap, I have no idea what that feels like. At all. Ever. MrZ does…he was the fast kid. (I typed “food” instead of “foot” the first time…it’s her Mom that wins the food races.) So…it’s totally cool.
On top of the speed, she has a weird aggressiveness about her. It’s not that she’s necessarily focused on winning or scoring goals. After about 10 minutes of play she typically starts whining to us from the sidelines with her arms out. But if the ball comes even remotely close to her? She’s totally attacking anyone near it to get it for herself. There are down sides to this as she often takes the ball from her teammates, but it’s cool to see the excitement in her eyes and her lack of fear and she heads deep into the pack to try to make it out on the other side with the ball.
I think she actually likes soccer. She still doesn’t know a lot about strategy or even rules, but she seems to really enjoy it. There are a few kids on her team that seem to play like she does, one girl in particular. I often wish I could get NikkiZ and that other girl on the field alone with the ball and just have them battle each other to score goals. I am not sure which one would come out alive…but it would be fun!
All in all? It’s thrilling to see because I watch her play and I wonder…can she be an athlete? I’ve always wondered if it was possible for MrZ’s genes to counteract my own enough to actually create someone who could be good at sports. I doubted the possibility as my lack of prowess is SO POWERFUL, but with NikkiZ? I see the glimmer of hope. And who knows…she may hate sports eventually. And that’s fine too, but it’s reassuring to know that she probably won’t be picked last for any team in P.E. class.
AND her shoes and french braid ROCK THAT FIELD!
She looks so focused!
I’m thinking having her hair in those awesome braids helps with her athletic prowess, too.
I love the intensity in her face! I love soccer (especially for kids) and played for 15 years… hopefully she continues to enjoy it!
tongue out? total soccer star.
I wished my parents had started me playing sports when I was her age or close to….
I was always picked last, too. I’m sure I could have been better if I tried, but eh.
She looks mighty cute, all aggressive and stuff.
Yay, action shots! She’s so into it!
I am proof that athletic genes can override the the clumsy genes I possess. As the most unathletic person alive. Also see: walks into door frames and bumps into corners.
2 of my 4 kids are extremely athletic. It mystifies me but is true. Proof is in the amount of time I spend at soccer and baseball games.
Great pictures! And will you come braid my hair?
First I have to say those are some nice looking jerseys. It’s just short-sleeved team t-shirts here in MN (last I checked). I agree with your husband, you really need to stop with the disparaging remarks about your athleticism – you have run a marathon! You had the guts to play on your school teams – I was too chicken to try out. Maybe the speed of foot doesn’t come from you but perhaps the tenacity does.
I think little kid soccer is the funniest thing ever. Half the kids are picking flowers out of the grass and staring at the sky and the other half are in a huge pack around the ball!
She looks like she is serious with those shin guards fo’ realz!
I love the look on her face as she’s running because I see sheer determination. Those boys better watch out!
awesome. she’s got ariel beat already…at 5 she was only concerned with skipping and chasing butterflies on the field.
Look how focused the is! That’s amazing…. Love it!
Okay, so what’s with the little girl with the giant BOW in her hair for the soccer game?! What mother DOES that?
I think the braids save the day!!! Rock on NikkiZ!!!!