There are so many parents out there whose lives were overtaken by a league soccer tournament this weekend, surely I am not the only one who is completely exhausted. It feels like cheating to say I’m tired when I only watched the four hours worth of games. (However, there was that one parent vs. kids game we played when the opposing team for a friend’s game didn’t show up. That was really fun!!) The Sweet Bean, who played all four games, and whose team won 1st place in her division, is the one who ran herself into the ground. She is allowed to be tired and spoiled rotten today. She and her whole team played so well!
Their coach has had them working on foot skills A LOT and it shows.
Sweet Bean actually got to play several girls from her elementary school who are on other teams.
Those early morning 8:00 a.m. games are hard. I’d say Sweet Bean was excited for the tournament though. She showed up in my room at 6:15 a.m. completely dressed, shin guards and everything.
And even that early she was fired up. This is one of the goals she made in the first half of that early game. Two days and four games later she was still working hard, though not quite as spunky as when she started.
It was a really fun season and all the parents have commented that the girls made incredible progress this season.
Soccer is getting to be more of a time commitment and take more effort (groan), but it is really amazing to watch them become such dedicated players and have fun working so hard (proud mama grin). We are lucky to have such a great coach who has put in the effort to grow and improve himself alongside the team.
Half-time huddle. Mr. A helped out as assistant coach this year.
We’ve had players come and go but these four girls and their coach have stuck together for four years.
Hard to believe these two met in preschool.
Sweet Bean and her team, the Black Hornets, were undefeated this season and took 1st place in the Spring Shootout Tournament.
Now for the food. These have been a favorite of ours recently. Simple, easy to make, and even vegan. And if anyone needs a pick-me-up high-energy snack right now, it is the Sweet Bean!
Fudgy Tahini Bites (vegan)
(recipe from hypefoodie.com)
Ingredients
1/2 c. tahini
1/2 c. unsweetened coconut
2 tbsp. melted coconut oil
3 tbsp. maple syrup (the original recipe calls for 1/4 c., but that was too sweet for us)
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ginger (my addition)
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
The cast of ingredients from left to right: cinnamon, vanilla, coconut oil, tahini, unsweetened coconut. Maple syrup is shy and hiding in the back row. Ginger, well, she was busy and couldn’t make the photo shoot.
Directions
Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly to combine.
Spoon into silicone candy or cupcake mold and place in the freezer for 30 or more to harden.
Pop the bites out of the mold and store in an air-tight container in the fridge or freezer.
I have been doubling the recipe lately. One batch is not always enough for more than one sitting, and it’s nice to have a few around when snacks are needed.
Not ideal but this is what I have: silicone cupcake liners and the silicone mold that I use for freezing cubes of fresh squeezed lemon juice, or chicken stock. (In their previous life they were for homemade baby food, but that’s been awhile).
Just before placing them into the freezer.
On the plate and ready to eat. Yum!
Duck Duck Moose 