Classic Charlie

This is good stuff. So today, like every other Saturday of recent, Charlie had a soccer game. I think I've mentioned before that the teams are 3 on 3. As they've gotten more games under their belts, the kids have learned to spread out a bit and not stick to the ball like a swarm of wasps going after meat. They also kick the ball toward their own goal about 90% of the time now, which is good. Another skill they've gained from experience is, not trying to take the ball away from their own teammates. A couple things the team hasn't mastered include; getting up quickly when they're down, staying away from the goal, and not stopping dead in their tracks if there's an injury, tears or some other emotional state. Five-year old boys can be empathetic little dudes.

Today, when there were five minutes left in the game, one little boy on the opposing team, belted out crying. The boys all stopped dead in their tracks per protocol to check out the scene. When I looked over, I noticed the little boy was standing still peeing, urine rushing down his legs like a waterfall. John and I both looked at Charlie immediately. He had a smile on his face and was leaning over to tell a secret to a teammate. In unison, John and I shouted out "CHARLIE". He looked at us and said, "Okay". The smile wiped away. The boy was escorted off the field by his parents and the game continued. I felt so bad for the little guy.

Here's where it gets good. Tonight as I was tucking in the boys, reflecting on the day, I brought up sportsmanship. I asked Charlie if he thought it was good sportsmanship to laugh at someone who was crying. When I asked him why he was laughing and if he'd like someone to laugh at him, he said "well...I was just kind of impressed that the boy could make tears go all the way down his legs." I busted up. I love the minds of the innocent! It never occurred to me that he didn't realize the boy was peeing his pants. Tears were streaming down my eyes (thankfully not my pants) I was laughing so much (while trying to hold it in too). I had to tell the boys I was laughing because I they're such funny boys and I love 'em so much. I told them the tears were allergies. I think they believed me. Just another reason to love Charlie.