New Team, New Name

Bubbles is part of the U-11 traveling team for soccer and last Saturday was the official start of their Fall season. Instead of being a bandit, she is now a cyclone. Go cyclones! The girls still have a lot to practice as they seemed a little disoriented on the field. The great part is they scored a goal. The sad part is so did the other team; 7 or 8 times. I feel bad for these girls. We as parents teach the girls to be mindful of those around them, don't push, and don't act greedy with things. On the soccer field, the coaches teach the girls to block those around them, steal the ball, and don't let it go. Now wonder why they seemed confused on the field. It also doesn't help that they have a total of 3 or 4 coaches and they all have their own vocabulary when discussing moves. On top of all this chaos, there are the parents (like me) screaming for the girls to be aggressive. I can't help it!

Still Undefeated

On Saturday, the Bandits played against DSC United. There were rumors that this team was unstoppable and very good. The Bandits stood united as a team and managed to end the game tied at 4-4.

Clash of the Bandits

Today, the Bandits played their 2nd real game against the Clash. The final score was 6-1 with Bandits leading the victory charge. Both teams played an impressive game. The Bandits were a little more aggressive and began to actually steal the ball from the opposing players. Will the Bandits continue their winning streak next Saturday when they play DSC United? You bet they will!

No Luck of the Irish Today

On Saturday, Madison played her first real game against the all girl team, the Shamrocks. Madison's team (Bandits) shut the Shamrocks down with a score of 8-0. No amount of four leaf clovers were able to save them from this beating.

Let's Go Bandits, Let's Go!

Isn't she a cutie patootie? Bubbles is playing outside soccer on an all girls team for the first time. Earlier this year, she played for YMCA on a co-ed team and I have to say that I thought the boys were too aggressive for the girls. Now normally I do not like to sound sexist, but it was true. There was one boy in particular that you just wanted to punch in the face because he kept hogging the ball from his own teammates. He must have missed the Barney episode on sharing.

Bubbles is playing for the Bandits and she is number 77. Mason and I was not in attendance due to the heat, but Bubbles said she had a great time. As an over planning stepmom, I made sure to pack the allergy medicine, tissues, allergy eye drops, water bottle, soccer attire, and the umbrella in case she needed shade. Yes, I will be the first to admit I go overboard with the preparation phase of any event or trip. However, in my defense; have you seen the Discovery channel show, "I Shouldn't be Alive"? After watching that show, I'm glad I overpack. My overpacking will help save us if we ever get stranded and must survive without rescue for 10 days.

Bubbles really likes playing offense. Steve captured Bubbles team, which only consists of 11 girls in the pictures below:

Go Ravens!

Sunday, Mom-Mom (my Mom), Jasmine (my niece), and Saige (my cousin) came over since they were going to spend Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with R.B. and Bubbles. Because we had a full house, we decided to have a football party. While I enjoy watching football, I am not obsessed with the game so half of the night was spent with me asking Steve what just happened and what is up with those numbers reflecting off the grass? Can the team see the blue and yellow line marked in the field or is that just intended for the TV viewers? Why must I watch Willis McAghee get slammed and watch his head snap back like a pez dispenser over and over and over again? What is up with all these commercial breaks? So the party began. We all had our Ravens jerseys on, food galore, pom-poms, and vocal chords like you would not believe. Of course I was having a bag pregnancy day and pretty much puked up everything I put into my mouth, so I was glad when the game was over and I could go to bed. Needless to say, the Ravens did not win and actually had to have a player carried off the field. Did I think the Ravens had a chance? Of course. Who do I think deserved to go to the Superbowl? Probably the Steelers since they ended up in the playoffs because of their record. The Ravens was 6th seed. Even though the Steelers deserved to go to the Superbowl, I hope they loose miserably to the Cardinals. When it comes to Steelers versus Ravens, my loyalty will always lay with the Ravens as I spent most of my life in Maryland and around all things Ravens.

I'm thankful the Ravens got as far as they did because they offered a night of entertainment for my family to get together, act as head coaches, yell at the TV screen, and go bananas whenever they scored. All I can say is watch out, Joe Flacco has the makings to be a great quarterback.

We are ready to see the Ravens score and pig out on food that is not healthy!

Jasmine, ready to tackle!

Even our dog, Sebastian, was ready to party! Okay, not really. He fell asleep 5 minutes into the game.

The final score!