Ayden has been so excited to play soccer on his own team and has talked about how he is going to kick the ball and make goals. Unfortunately his first practice left him very disappointed and discouraged. The coach had the kids run a lap around the field and sure enough Ayden was the caboose by a long shot, which really was no surprise. Then, he had them play a mini game in which the kids all chased the after the ball. Again, Ayden tried but his body was too tired to keep up with the kids due to his lack of oxygen. He came over to me disappointed that he couldn't get the ball and that he was too tired. I told him to just do his best, have fun, and wait for the ball to come to him instead of chasing it, so he joined his team to try again. Throughout practice this is how it went with just a few smiles at the very begining and end.
Thursday night while putting Ayden to bed I asked if he was excited for his soccer game, to my surprise he said, "no the kids are too fast". I hadn't realized that it had impacted him so much, I thought it was more me being sensitive than anything. I talked with him and told him I would help him at his game and that he could play defense and keep the other team from making goals.
By Saturday he was again excited and got already for his game. He even mention that he needed grapes to share with his friends. The first time he kicked the ball he got a big smile on his face and yelled yes! I think he had fun despite being cold and tired.