Matthew's First Soccer Season!

Matthew played his first season of soccer this past summer/fall! It was really exciting to see him play in a real league. Hulmeville Soccer Club is a really great club and we were so impressed with Matthew's team and coach, Coach Gerry Rooney. 

They were the purple team (the Vikings as they dubbed themselves) and while they didn't win a LOT of games, they ended up in the playoffs and actually won their first playoff game so they got to play in the championship game! We were so proud of his progress. He loves soccer and he will play with this team until we leave Bensalem. They stay together with their coach as they move up! Coach Gerry's son in Matthew's age, so he will continue to coach them no matter what.

Aaron didn't play this year, but he will probably start playing during the next season. He was a good boy (most of the time) at Matthew's practices. He loved collecting leaves and acorns, playing at the playground, and playing with the sisters of a boy on Matthew's team.

One thing I enjoyed doing over the summer was counting Aaron's freckles and watching new ones appear after all his time spent in the sun. The picture doesn't do it justice, but he's got a little patch over his nose and under his left eye.

It was so wonderful watching Chris and Matthew share in something that Chris loves so very much. Chris may not have made every practice, but he made every single game over the semester and that means a lot! Ge gave up his Saturday mornings so that he could be there for and support Matthew. He is such a great dad. He learned from his own dad how to be supportive - his dad was Chris's #1 fan when he played soccer. They would travel all over the place to watch Chris play. I'm grateful that Chris had that example growing up.

Hulmeville Soccer Club is serious business. They played in the rain a couple times!

I think Matthew would say that one of his favorite memories of the season was his night game. They loved playing outside in the lights!

After their first playoff game, Coach Gerry had some surprises for the kids.

They lost their championship game, but they did so well and we are so proud of him and his team! He really stepped it up for the playoff games. He played better than he had played all season.

I'm not sure if this picture was taken after the soccer season or not, but it's the only one I have of the boys at Rita's and I wanted to include it somewhere!