Oh Soccer Oh Soccer

Charlotte was invited to join a soccer team right before school started. She was really excited about shopping for the necessities, making new friends and getting a uniform. At the first practice we discover Charlotte is a good 4 inches taller than all the other girls and runs like an ostrich, except slowly. We weren't exactly shocked that our frilly princess was going to have to learn some new skills but surprised that at least half these girls went to soccer camp every summer and have played since they could walk. Anyways, Char was having a great time and week by week we could see her running improve. Her first game was Saturday. It was about 90 degrees and 85% humidity! We got to the field and watched the coaches try to instruct a bunch of squealing kittens. They were so excited, adorabley cute (in thier $50 Adidas uniforms) and pretty clueless as far as the rules of the game. Our group of parents begins to realize that the other team's parents have taken up the entire sideline and their girls are all bigger than Charlotte. What began to happen after this, I really don't have words for. Our team played well together, listen to their coaches and scored 3 goals. The other team called our girls names, pushed them and scored about 12 goals. By this point Charlotte was so fed up with being called Loosers and fatty stars, she began taking two fingers pointing at her eyes and pointing back at them, as of to say "I'm watching you"- I did think at this point "too bad she can't back that up". Finally the ref warns both teams and singles Char out- all that did was make her mad-and she told the ref all about it (might have been wrong but please the ref should have stepped in, a lot earlier). After the game she announces "I tried and I quit- soccer isn't my thing" Luckily we never play that team again and Char wants to stay on the team with her friends. We've recovered quickly and can't wait for this Saturday- I'm praying for rain.