Alittle while back I posted (in shame) about Avery’s last soccer season. You can see that here. To recap quickly: her shoes were too small and it all ended horribly. So when Avery told us that she wanted to play soccer this fall season, needless to say, we were very apprehensive.

We weighed the pros and cons.

Pros: She’s 6, going on 7; we have new shoes; she’s actually excited about playing.

Cons: Well, she’s 6, going on 7; her ability to cry at the drop of a hat; they still haven’t reformed the “no snack at practice” policy.

It would seem the pros outweighed the cons so we signed her up! Practice went off without a hitch. She approached everything with a positive outlook and sportsmanlike conduct. And get this…she didn’t even bat an eye when we left practice without the requiredsliced apples and CapriSun! I was actually looking forward to the jamboree games that following weekend.

Saturday morning we are getting ready for the game and Avery slips on her cleats. She winces.

“What’s wrong, Avery?” I ask. Oh. God. Here. We. Go. Again.

“It doesn’t feel right. My shoe. It feels weird.”

Crap. Last year comes rushing back at me. “Take it off and let’s look,” I say. Please, please let that shoe fit her foot!!

She takes it off and lo and behold her sock is bunched up at the toe. Stupid sock. I straighten it up and shove her cleat back on.

“How’s that?”

“Feels good,” she answers. She smiles at me, winks and gives me a thumbs up. “I’m pretty sure this is going to be my best game ever,” she says.

Well, since this is the first game of the season and I’m pretty sure she mentally blocked last season I think she might be right. And I tell her so. She smiles, grabs her soccer ball and heads out the door. Her father and I look at each other, grab the camera and follow her out.

You all, Avery was amazing out there. She hustled and followed that ball all over the field. I was so proud of her commitment to the game all the while keeping abig ol’ grin on her beautiful face.

And check out this kick!

There’s no getting past this kid.

David Beckam…eat your heart out.

And she had skill. Well, some skill. Okay, marginal skill but there’s a lot to work with there and she’s got youth on her side.

I’m actually pretty excited for this soccer season. I’ve already anticipated bawling my ever-lovin’ eyes out in the chance the little champ makes a goal. But I’m not even worried about that, not even setting my sights that high.

I’m just glad her shoes fit.

Go Wildcats!

Mindy