Lucky us! For the past two days, our 9-year-old grandson, Nico, his sister, Luna, and his dad, Gregorio, have been in Ventura for a soccer tournament. Nico has joined a club team, which means that he has now moved up into “serious” soccer. He had to audition for his position as goalie and this weekend was his first time playing in games with his new team, the Dragons. Nico is younger than most of the team since he is finishing 3rd grade and they are finishing 4th. Ironically, he is a head taller than pretty much everyone, which is to his advantage, I’m assuming, in his role as goalie.

Our son-in-law, Gregorio, who has coached Nico and many of his friends since they was barely able to walk, has told us that Nico has a lot of talent. “He just needs to make sure that he develops discipline now,” which is clearly a theme shared by his new coach for all his players. As Sarah said, “Nico’s coach is straight out of Ted Lasso,” and so he is. Speaking in what might have been a Scottish brogue (not sure from whence he hails in Great Britain), he is a gentle soul who clearly loves soccer and values his players. While he was addressing the team before the game today, he saw that Nico was sitting in the sun. “I’m worried about Nico,” he said, then asked the whole row of boys to move over one spot so that Nico could sit in the shade.” That action told me more about him than anything else, but there were plenty of other examples of his kindness during the two games I watched. “I appreciate your effort, lad,” he called to one boy. “Keep it up. You’re doing well!”

Nico blocked plenty of balls, let a couple slip by, did some impressive kicking, and caught a number of soccer balls aimed at the goal he was protecting. Of course, I’m proud of him simply for being his adorable, sweet, and sensitive self, but I will admit he looked quite dashing in his soccer outfit and as he executed his goalie moves.

Of course, seeing these three brightened both Ray’s and my weekend. So sorry that Sarah and little Lyle were at home, a bit under the weather. I hope those two are now feeling better.

Here’s to the joys of grandparenthood. I’m even learning a bit about soccer, which it turns out can be quite exciting!

Here are some photos:

Nico in orange, Gregorio in yellow, Ray in black, and Luna w/ that graphic on her knee, Coach – the tall one in blue