Yesterday was MM’s first soccer practice. Things I like I about soccer:

• It’s indoors which means we don’t have to worry as much about over or under dressing and BB and I don’t have to sit around shivering while the game lingers on.
• There are semi-comfortable chairs to sit on on the side of the gym so we mommies can watch the game and chat.
• One of MM’s very best besties is in his class – and which means we both have some familiar company on Monday afternoons – something for mommy to look forward to!
• He has the same coach from t-ball for soccer. I actually like this, despite my gripes from t-ball. We are already familiar with the coach and he knows that MM has space cadet tendencies and has already pretty much mastered honing him in when need be.
• MM seems to like soccer more in general. I think it’s a lot easier to figure out and doesn’t involve as much standing around and waiting. “Dribble” the ball this way, then that way. Repeat. Constant movement is definitely a good thing with MM and really lets him burn off energy.
• The coach incorporates a lot of classic kid games into the practice like Red Light, Green Light and Simon Says. I think this helps keep the game fun and exciting and puts it on their level, while teaching the kids some basic soccer fundamentals.

Things My Camera Is Not Good At:

• Using the flash in less than stellar lighting. When I had the flash on auto (I get either auto flash or no flash with the Canon) my pictures were murky and grainy.
• When I turned the flash off, I got a lot of unnecessary blurring which makes you think the kids are moving much faster than they really are.
• My camera did much better with t-ball where we were outdoors.
• Canon cameras puffy heart outdoor photography and stamp their feet and pout with indoor photography. I may have to lug the Nikon out to one of his games. Or not take pictures. Or take blurry pictures.

But sometimes I was able to accidentally take some really cool blurry pictures that look artsy and intentional like this:

So there’s that.

I was actually feeling really cruddy and exhausted and wanting to be in bed for his first practice, so I’d say all things considered that yesterday was a smashing success. I’m looking forward to next week’s practice when we’re hopefully all in good health and possibly carrying a nice camera that doesn’t have such silly temperamental issues.

I like to tease my camera, but really I’m just spoiled by having access to a DSLR camera. I still love my Canon for it’s slim size and usually dependable picture quality. Apparently gym lighting is just not it’s forte. Now we know.