Soccer, Parks, & Walks

Ramsey and I had a rather active day.  It started out with a 9AM soccer game.  It was a little CHILLY, so we layered up on the clothing.  Br br brrrrrrrr!

Ramsey wasn't a super hustler this game, so I didn't get action shots.  😂  (Funny, not funny.)

Regardless, after the game, we stopped at the big park on the way home.  We hadn't been to this particular park for quite some time.  It's probably the best one (or second best one) in town.  

We had fun.  I made him dizzy and a little woozy on the merry-go-round.  😁   I also made myself a little dizzy and woozy in the process.

There's a fun little riddle panel on one of the climbers.  The braille lettering is on the back, so we worked together to solve the riddles.

After lunch, we apparently still had energy to burn, so Ramsey and I took Jango on the walking trail near the house.   I'm slower, I guess, so the two little turkeys were always well ahead of me.

I found their togetherness to be awfully sweet though.

And... we had to stop for a selfie on the point.

And take pics from the scenic view.

Doh!  ...must have the scimitar sword in the picture too!

Cheers to the nearly-autumn days that are upon us.  

Labor Day Shenanigans

 Ahh, Labor Day... a day off from school and work.  A day to relax a bit and enjoy life before Fall arrives!

We knew the days would be limited for swimming, so we took full advantage of the wonderful sunny day and took Ramsey out.    

Here's some videoes of Jango and Ramsey dock-jumping.  I took the first two videos.

When Eric came out, he chucked the tennis ball so I could watch and videotape. I never really knew how far out Jango can jump, from my usual throwing point-of-view.  It turns out, he can really launch!  (Too bad we weren't able to get to that dock-jumping competition last week!  Doh!!)

After dock-jumping time, Eric was going to swim with Ramsey, but The Girls came over, so Eric retreated into the house.  :-)     I don't think he was too sad about that - the water has been getting a little chilly!   I don't blame him!  The kids never seem to care too much and just go about their swimming.

I stayed with the kids while they played.   Ramsey is the youngest and littlest of the three, so the girls were letting him get up on their shoulders.

It was quite comical, as they really thought they were going to be able to stack themselves (all three of them) up like a Totem pole!  

Er... not so much.  There was quite a bit of shrieking, screaming, but also a ton of laughter.

We had to get out later in the afternoon in order to head into town for another soccer game.

Summer Soccer Camp

The summer has flown by SO quickly!  By the time summer soccer camp rolls around, the impeding thoughts that school is just around the corner start to sink in.  

This year, the Little Eagles Soccer Camp had nicer weather for the one hour 3-day evening events.  The event is held by the high school soccer club, plus additional volunteers from the area.

There were drills for footwork, fun relays (crab walks, cartwheels, dribbling, back-pedaling, bear crawls), and mini games.   I don't know how I forgot to take a pic of Ramsey in his soccer gear!

One evening, we had to go to the grocery store afterwards to pick up a few items.  I found it humorous that Ramsey needed to use the car cart!  

We weren't there long, but he had fun cruising around the store.   When we went to leave, the kid has grown so much, he could barely get out!!  

Until next year, Little Eagles.  Thanks for another fun learning experience.

Spring Soccer

 The Spring weather this year was REALLY wacky... cold, rainy, windy...  There were a LOT of games that were postponed, dragging soccer out another three weeks.  

Ramsey did enjoy his team, playing various positions.

The very last games were on my birthday.  We had plans for the afternoon (Ft Sisseton Days), so we went to the morning game but skipped the season finale (afternoon) game.  The kids had fun and Ramsey continues to improve on his skills.

First Spring Soccer Game

Another soccer season has commenced!   The boys have YOUNG coaches this year.  Due to lack of adult volunteer coaches, two awesome soccer-loving 5th Graders offered to lead Ramsey's spring team; Team"Sounders".

Though young, these 5th Graders aren't messing around.  The kids have two practices per week (evenings at 6PM), in addition to two scheduled games per week.

Due to the rain/crummy weather, the first two games were postponed/canceled.  The boys' first game was Monday evening at 7:30PM (a little late for a school night - ugh), but the sun was shining (for once this month!) and the wind was very minimal.  We didn't freeze!   Formal pictures were scheduled before the game, in addition to an impromptu practice.

Ramsey was named one of the two team captains for the first game.  He seemed pleased with this!

This is only Ramsey's second year playing soccer.  Last year, he learned the game and progressed overall.  This evening, I was very pleasantly surprised (nay, shocked) at how he's improved just since Fall Soccer!  (Eric had a long day of traveling, so he remained at home, not feeling well.)

Ramsey was hustling, going after the ball, dribbling, and passing.

He did a great job, too, when he was placed on Defense.  He had a few nice steals!

I was proud of him and he looked like he was having a great time.

He played Goalie position for the second quarter (no pics).  He had one extra amazing save, catching a booted ball in mid air.  It was a crowd-pleaser and Ramsey beamed with excitement.

The boys did lose the game 3-1, which was OK because Ramsey was so happy after the game, he was literally bouncing.   If the kids continue to progress during the rest of the season, the remaining games will be fun to watch.

More Fall Soccer + Sunset

 Yup, more soccer pics!  I just think these kids are so stinkin' cute, so I can't help but post.  :-)

As the season's progressed, Ramsey's been hustling more and getting into the thick of things.  

This post also gives me a chance to post THIS unfiltered sunset picture of our view on the lake.  Magnificent!

Fall Soccer

 Fall soccer is definitely interesting.  I had forgotten how odd the weather can be.  On double header days, we are wearing winter jackets, gloves, and donning blankets.  Then, the afternoon games, we are in short sleeves and perhaps shorts!

Anyhoo.... just posting a few random pics of Ramsey's Fall soccer games here.   

They have goalies this year, so Ramsey was able to play this position multiple times.  He liked being able to switch it up and play that position periodically.

He has only had one practice this year, which is a bit challenging, as this is the year the kids need to start learning the "big boy rules" of the game.  But, with coaches being volunteer parents, you roll with it - everyone is busy!

Ramsey loves it though and has so much fun!

Fall Soccer Begins!

 This is only Ramsey's second season of soccer, but he's now in U8.  The difference from U7: teams now have a goalie.

The first game was postponed, due to the fields being very spongy.  The tractors couldn't go onto the fields to take all of the nets out.  Though there was no game, the kids still got togther that day for their very first practice (can't imagine how the first game would have gone without a practice - oye!).

They started out practicing throw-ins.

Then, dribbling and passing.

Each child got to "don the gloves" and practice being the goalie.

Ramsey saved a few but we'll need to continue to practice this effort.   

So... let the season begin!  The first game will commence in about a week.

Little Eagles Soccer Camp

 The yearly Little Eagles Developing Champions soccer camp was a success once again.  

Ramsey had so much fun!  They played "Sharks & Minnows", worked on ball handling, plus practicing and completing drills for all facets.

The three-day event was an hour long practice each day.  While Ramsey participated, I chatted with friends/acquaintances that I hadn't seen since last soccer camp... or longer!   

Ramsey is in the second row, just left of middle, one of two little boys with glasses.  (My friend Teri's little boy is the guy next to him.... also with glasses.)