The Pink Pirates End of Year Party

Yesterday we hosted the Pink Pirates' End of Year party here at the house. When I originally offered to host the soccer girls at our house, I figured the girls could swim for a while, CK could grill burgers and hot dogs and each family could bring a dish to share. We've had a lot of rain in the past few weeks but Saturday ended up being a perfect, sunny day good for a bbq and swim party! Unfortunately, CK was out of town Thursday through Sunday at Tex's house in Alpine with his co-workers, so I got ready for the party and had the girls help me organize and prepare for the girls' arrival. Coach Jeff and his family arrived first at 11am just as I was starting to season and get the burger patties ready. I planned on making sliders and hot dogs and Coach Jeff jumped right in and helped make the patties while I welcomed the others and set out the rest of the food. Melissa's mom brought homemade egg rolls, which were amazing and went very quickly. There was watermelon, chips and dip and fruit which everyone snacked on while the girls swam and had fun together. The pool water was still a little chilly but it didn't seem to bother anyone and Olivia was right in the middle of it all. Meanwhile, Coach Jeff grilled the hamburgers and hot dogs and we all ate around noon. It was such a huge help to have Coach Jeff cook and prepare everything and he seemed to really enjoy it. After eating and playing a little longer, Coach Jeff called all the girls over to pass out the soccer trophies.

This year the Pink Pirates actually got first in the 9 year old soccer league and their trophies were actually really cool! Coach Jeff gave a little speech about what a great season the girls had and how 9 of the 11 girls were able to score goals - he really wanted every girl on the team to score a goal, but Sofia and one other girl on the team didn't score. Hopefully next season. During the last game on May 7th, which was the championship game that decided who would be in 1st place, Coach Jeff actually played Sofia on offense for half of the game, hoping she would get her goal still. It was very impressive that he still had so much faith in her and hope that she would score even in the final and most important game! He's such a great coach! During the last game, Sofia was really engaged and got her foot on the ball more often than she has probably the entire season! It was fun to watch and a tough soccer game.

After his speech about the soccer season, Coach Jeff then passed out each award and talked about each girl as he passed it out. It was very sweet of him and he said he, and the rest of the team, was so glad to have her back on the team and look forward to having her again next season (I hope so too). He also said that she always has a good attitude and works hard! I'm hoping Sofia starts running with me when I walk the dog in the mornings so she can get her fitness up and be ready for the Fall soccer season! After Coach Jeff passed out all the trophies we took a team photo of the girls and then Holly passed out the gifts she purchased for the team parents. Holly did an awesome job of picking out great gifts for Jeff that included a round of golf at his favorite golf coarse, a box of really good golf balls, a 6-pack of his favorite beer, a gift card to Gloria's for dinner, and a golf shirt. For the card I had all the girls sign the card just before the last game and pasted a picture of the tam on the front of the card. Above the girls' signatures I wrote out the team's motto, which is so adorable and one they say before and after each game. I'm not sure who made it up, but it goes like this: "Yo Baby, Yo Baby, Yo Baby Yo, If you're not with the Pirates then you gotta go." After all of Jeff's gifts, Holly actually gave me a huge Williams Sonoma box! I couldn't believe it! I take the team photos, individual and game photos and send them out to the team, which I love to do and really expect nothing in return. This time I had all the individual and group photos printed out and gave them to each player, since I know how easy it is to not order prints. Anyway, inside the box was a monogrammed dark blue apron, a scalloped-edged loaf pan, a William-Sonoma towel and a cookbook called "Bake Good Things" which has really delicious recipes inside. Such a sweet and thoughtful gift! After trophies and gifts, we said our goodbyes and everyone slowly left. Its such a sweet team and I love that Sofia is enjoying playing again and on such a sweet group of girls. I really hope Sofia plays again in the fall!


Pictures from the championship game. The Pink Pirates won 4-2!

Girls getting ready to start playing...

Warming up.

Chloe scoring a goal!! Go Chloe!

Sofia gets in on the action....

Almost scoring another goal!

The cheering section!

A full field view.

The end of a great game!

Getting a drink after their win.

The champions!!

The silly champions!

The end of year party - Wish I'd taken more pictures, but was busy with the party or talking with parents:

Coach Jeff talking about the great year the Pink Pirates had.

Sofia

Coach Jeff giving Sofia her soccer trophy

The team!