Soccer madness

Beckett participated in the Show Me State Games this weekend with a team from the indoor soccer place where he plays normally. They had a good time but lost two games going away and a third on a coin toss after time ran out (who came up with that rule?).

Beckett wore number four, accentuating the two-year age difference that existed between him and the other players in the tournament. They were all faster and bigger but he hustled, mixed it up with the big kids and showed some great dribbling and passing moves. Best of all, he had a great time, though his favorite feature may have been the presence of a referee -- he thought that was the coolest thing ever.

One other highlight came when Beckett was knocked to the ground while pursuing the ball and came up with a bloody nose. He kept playing with blood on his hand from wiping his dripping nose and the game had to be stopped so he could come out - he wasn't concerned in the least. The assembled cheering section of parents was impressed when only minutes later - after being cleaned up and having the flow of blood staunched - he went back in and played the rest of the game. Stud.