GOAL!!!!!

Joe's soccer team, the Longhorns, played its last game of the season Thursday night, against the Tigers. It was a beautiful summer evening, though not for the Longhorns whose single goal was kicked by Our Hero--into the Tigers' goal. (The whole stop-the-ball-and-turn-it-around-to-go-up-the-field is a skill the St. Louis Park Parks and Rec league's youngest members were just starting to understand as the six-week session drew to a close.) The Tigers won handily, but it's tough to say if the Longhorns felt too bad about it, which is the beauty of "organized" sports at five years old when one might be as interested in the ball and play as one is in, say, a dandelion near center field, or chatting up the big sister of a teammate, or toss the cones used in practice like frisbees. The key to watching this scene with 37- or 38-year-old eyes is to pretend you aren't watching an organized sport. That way, you won't wonder why your child is picking dandelions while a black and white checkered ball rolls around.

Joe was cheered on two of his current teachers, Mr. Mark and Ms. Susie and his former teacher, Ms. Manisha, all of whom were also there to also see two other kids who go to the KinderCare and were playing in the game. Super Fan Birdie did her usual slow melt toward bedtime from the sidelines.

And thus, we closed the books on Our Hero's first foray into organized sports.