Soccer season!

Both Regan and Jane are on new soccer teams that the school put together this year.  For the first time, they are both in leagues that play other schools (before they were only one intermural teams that played other teams from our school).  This week, the girls both played their first "real" games against other schools.

Jane played on Sunday and they had two games against Gems American Academy (GAA).  She really hustled out there and brought a lot of energy and focus to the game.  She mainly played defense and did a great job off keeping the other team away from our goalie.  She also came very close to scoring once when she was on offense.

Regan had a tournament on Wednesday with both Gems as well as the American International School of Abu Dhabi (known as AISA).  She is still working on being brave about getting in there when the game gets a little crazier as the pace and fast ball can make her nervous but she certainly gives it a huge effort.  She's also a huge source of energy from the sidelines and cheers her team well.

Although it was scorching hot outside (games started at 4 p.m. both days - and probably still 100 degrees), the girls had a blast out there and are definitely turning into little Middle Eastern athletes who aren't too bothered by the heat.  The temperature was really nice by 5 p.m. but the first hour (even as a spectator!) was rough.

So proud of these girls for giving it their all in the heat.

Cute little 4th grade team.  They beat GAA in one game and were beat in the other

Jane - who was *not* excited about playing another team ended up having a great time and still had a big smile on her face after two hot hours in the sun.  Here she is with Sophie and Omaya.

With good buddy Omaya

Sophia and Regan - hot and sweaty but excited by two wins over both GAA and AISA by the 6th grade girls team.

More of the 6th graders (note that Jane, Meredith and Anna also crashed this photo!).  The girls are Serene, Bella, Thea, Jane, Daniela, Elizabeth (in front), Sophia, Anna, Regan, Meredith and super goalie, Charlotte.

The 6th graders! (Regan is 2nd from the right with her chin on her hand in the middle row)