Avery's first away soccer tournament

This weekend, Avery had her first soccer tournament away from home. It was in Lansing. The plan was to go down Saturday morning, early, and arrive just before the first game. Well, she came home from practice on Thursday night in tears because all the other girls were going down the night before to swim in the pool and hang out.  So, I decided it was ok since this was likely the only away tournament that would require us to stay in a hotel. 

Because Asher had a soccer game on Saturday, as well as pictures, and we were starting our bathroom renovation we decided that the boys would stay home and it would be a girls’ weekend!
Friday night after work and school, we hurried and ate pizza and took off for Lansing.  It was about a two hour trip and it was drizzly the whole time.  We checked in to our hotel room and immediately she changed into her swimsuit and we headed to the pool.  Of course, no one was there. For about 40 minutes she was the only kid in the pool, and I kept wondering where “all the girls” were.  Finally a few more showed up and they got to swim for a while before turning in.

Saturday morning we got up early, went down and ate breakfast and drove to the soccer field. It was so hard to find! Finally we made it and I watched her play. It was drizzling and really cold and I froze, but it was fun to watch. They lost 3-0, but are playing better and better each game.   After the game we went back up to the room and soon there were 7 and 8 year olds knocking on our door. The next hour was spent hopping from room to room, and I could  hear giggling all up and down the hallway. Thankfully they put Midland all on one floor so I don’t think we were disturbing anyone else.  We went to the local mall and ate lunch, and bought Avery a Halloween costume, then returned for the second game of the day.

The girls lost again 3-0 and were a little bummed afterwards. Avery said it would be more fun to play if they won sometimes, and I totally understood that.  On our way home, we stopped for drinks and snacks for the pizza party that was going to be that evening, and we ended up buying sushi too. She loves it! We ate that in our hotel room as she got her swimsuit and we headed down to the pool.  Nearly the entire team was there, and they had a blast!  It got SO loud, I need an award for not losing it! haha

After swimming, she changed into dry clothes and we went to a conference room and had pizza.  The girls were all running around like nuts, and brothers were bothering them all. The moms and dads just hung out talking.  Avery was super tired, and I could tell she didn’t want to go back to the room because she was having fun, but I told her we could go up, drink tea and play minecraft and she agreed.  Thankfully.. I guess they all stayed down there really late, the coach showed up and jello shots were involved. :/

The next morning was our last game. Again, we lost, but this time we scored a couple goals, so it was an easier loss.  I stopped at Burger King and got her a shake and we drove home.  All in all it was a fun weekend. I’m glad I had the chance to do that for her, and with her.