Soccer flashback

Today was Tate's very first soccer practice. Off we went with his little tiny cleats, little tiny shinguards/socks, little tiny ball, little tiny water bottle. Well, tiny compared to the size we're used to seeing around here. We dropped Chase off at Railhead for Placer soccer and had some time to kill before Tate's practice. Time was killed sitting in a car with the air conditioning running because tiny soccer player fell asleep 10 min after we got in the car, hand still on his World Cup edition size 3. Cute but not the best start to a new experience being awakened from slumber. After waking up we got out and headed out onto the field at Alta Vista. Nine years ago, Chase & Chloe had their very first soccer practice at Alta Vista, too. I'm sure I had a stroller for Kaleb, blankets to sit on, snacks, juice boxes, toys, etc. Today, Tate and I rolled onto the field with a chair, my phone and his stuff. I did remember a water bottle for the poor kid. As we sit, all the other Mom's and Dad's roll in with their babies, toddlers and kid equipment. And I'm thinking, when did I become the OLD Mom? Right on cue, Tate begins to cry. Why? The same reason Chase and Chloe cried at Alta Vista 9 years ago, a new experience. Yep, we don't do 'new' very well around here. My kids take a long time to adjust to new situations.
Tate: "I don't want to play soccer."
Me:   "Yes, you do. You like soccer. You just need to make new friends. Just like you did at school. You didn't know anyone there either."
Tate:   Looks at me like I'm nuts.
Practice begins. They practice dribbling, passing & shooting. Mostly, they practice following directions. Stand in line, follow the coach, put your soccer balls here.
Tate: "I don't want to practice soccer."
Me:   "You don't have to do anything. Just sit on your ball and watch what everyone else is doing."
Tate:  "Is it time to go?"
Me:    "No. You have to go listen to your coach. Chase always listens to his coach. Your coach is like your teacher but this is soccer school."
Tate: Sits on ball and watches but looks at me like I'm nuts.
Finally, they get to the shooting part.
Me: "Tate, if you want to get a turn shooting, you have to stand in line like your coach said and wait your turn."
Tate actually does this. A few minutes later...
Tate: "Mom!!! You were right!"
Me:   "About what?"
Tate:  "I made some new friends!"

Sigh of relief. Tate only took 49 minutes of a 60 minute practice to warm up to the idea. I had to be on the field with Chloe at her first practice. At least one. Maybe next practice it will only take him 39 minutes  to warm up. And Mom will remember that little people practices are all about snacks, drinks, blankets and sitting in the shade for an hour enjoying the giggles. Even when you're the old Mom.