The Lee Family: Pink Pirates Banquet

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Pink Pirates Banquet

On Saturday morning, Sofia and I headed over to Brio in Southlake to celebrate the end of the Pink Pirates Spring season, and it also marks the end of Sofia's soccer playing days. Sofia really didn't want to go and begged to stay and play with her cousins, but we'd already told her coaches that we'd be there and it was only going to be maybe two hours. Plus, as the unofficial team photographer, I had the thank you cards that I made with a picture of the team and included a number of photos of Coach Kevin and Coach Jeff's respective daughters. Holly picked up the gift cards that we planned to put inside each thank you card and I needed to get each girl to sign her name to the card. Once we arrived, we headed to the private room to meet the rest of our team. The only team mate who couldn't make it was Aria, so we had a great turnout. It was so fun to see all the girls where their cute outfits, since I usually only see them in their soccer clothes.

The girls all sat at a big square table together and had the best time talking and coloring on coloring sheets from the restaurant and making figures with pizza dough. I sat with Coach Jeff, his wife Julie, Holly and Ken and really enjoyed talking with them. I know Holly and Ken pretty well by now but haven't really spent much time talking to Julie and Jeff. Coach Jeff is always over with the soccer girls during games so I usually just talk to him for a few minutes after or before the games. It was really fun to learn a little more about them all and it was great to visit for a bit while the girls were all happy visiting together.

We ate our brunch, which was outstanding and then Coach Kevin started the awards portion of the banquet. Unfortunately, he had news to share first, which was that he, Cindy and their two girls would be moving over the summer to Dallas so that Gabrielle could go to a certain private school. I can't believe they are moving away from family and their lifestyle here, but I'm sure they will find their niche there too. I just hope Coach Kevin stays involved in coaching soccer because he has such a kind and gentle way with teaching the girls. Coach Jeff, who has a very different coaching style does plan to stay on and coach which will be good for the team and hopefully they can find another coach to compliment Coach Jeff. After the announcement, Coach Kevin and Coach Jeff passed out the awards to each girl.

After the awards, we gave each of the coaches their thank you gifts which included a personalized clipboard as well as the card signed by each girl and a $125 gift card for their favorite restaurant. As a surprise, Holly organized a Nothing Bundt Cake to celebrate Cindy's birthday which is next week! Cindy was so completely surprised and emotional over the surprise. We all brought her a birthday gift too, which she didn't expect. Cindy is amazing with all that she does for the team and the time and effort she puts forward to make everything run smoothly. She and Coach Kevin are incredibly generous and such warm and welcoming people that we'll miss them a lot and hope to visit them once they are situated in Dallas.

After cake, we all visited and took a group picture before saying goodbye and heading home. It was so fun to see everyone off the soccer field and it's such a great group of kids.

Our delicious brunch menu!