(More than) Fourinarow.net

Today marked the last day of Fall soccer.

It also marked Dan’s Monster Dash Half Marathon in Chicago.  Which meant he wasn’t here to help me with soccer.  Five kids, four games.

Things started fabulously:  Since Luke and Sam both had games scheduled for the same time, but different parks, some friends picked Luke up for his game.  He and his teammate were going to watch a game and then play their game.  The rest of us hung around and then headed over to Sam’s game.

Although it was not our scheduled snack day, we brought (at Sam’s request) celebratory cake pops to mark the end of the season.  Sam and I made them earlier in the week and then wrapped them up yesterday, eating a few along the way.  Mmmmmmm!  Sam could not wait to give out those cake pops!!!

Sam’s coach was out of town, so another parent (not me!) stepped up to coach our boys, none of whom acted as if they had ever played soccer.  The other team was almost as disorganized, but they, at least, managed to kick the ball a few times and score several goals.  Sam sat out during the third quarter, during which we discussed the cake pops.  We had made enough for each boy to get two, but there was a no-show.  Maria asked Sam if she and Jack could have that boy’s cake pops.  “Sure!” was Sam’s happy reply.

“But, then, poor Lukie doesn’t get one.  Why don’t you give him one of yours?” I suggested to Sam, who promptly replied in the (very loud) negative.

“But we got to eat a bunch of them when we were packaging them yesterday,” I reminded him.

“I want TWO cake pops!” He said, and started to cry angrily.  I didn’t respond, and about that time, his coach called him in to play.

Sam stomped onto the field, fists clenched.  His coach asked what was wrong and he told her, “Everyone is supposed to get two cake pops, but my mom wants me to give one of mine to Luke!”

Not having a clue as to what he was talking about, she said, “Well, right now let’s just play soccer.”  Mad Sam refused to engage.  If the ball came his way, he ignored it.  He turned to me and screamed from mid-field, “I WANT TWO CAKE POPS!!!”

I hung my head in embarrassment.  “They must be really good,” one mom said to me.

Finally, the “game” was over and we were able to hand out our cake pops and get the heck outta there.  Carrying the baby and the chairs and a backpack, I headed to the van with Maria and Jack running alongside me.  Sam was still screaming nastiness.

Two more games to go.  Ugh!

We piled into the car and Sam started in on his after-game chips and Gatorade supplied by the snack mom.  He continued to complain on and off during the ride, while Jack started to panic about getting to his game on time.

I clenched my teeth and kept driving.  And, as I turned the corner, I heard it.  First the clunk and then the scream.  Sam’s open Gatorade fell out of the cup holder and onto his lap.  (Of course, it was all MY fault for making a turn.)

How was I going to survive the rest of the morning?!?

Thankfully, a playground and a puppy on the sidelines got us through Jack’s game, and then we were off to Maria’s – the last one.

Jack and Luke played in the dirt.  Sam sat on the lap of Maria’s teammate’s mom, and Andrew found a fascinating little girl to play with.  I actually got to watch most of the game… and see Maria score TWO goals!!!  Wow!  I couldn’t believe how well she played.  She has really, really improved this year.

Just as the girls were shaking hands with the other team, Dan showed up.  He ran his half marathon in 1:45:50 – a new personal record.

I wonder?  Who had the more challenging morning?