Mother’s Day Soccer

There’s something special about a weekend away when it’s centered around the people you love most. Especially when I don’t have to cook or clean! This past weekend, we headed to Sioux Falls for the boys’ soccer tournament, and somehow it turned into the kind of family trip that leaves you feeling full in every sense of the word.

We stayed at a fun hotel right in downtown Sioux Falls, which made everything feel like a little adventure. In the evenings, we wandered through downtown, taking in the newest pieces from the SculptureWalk Sioux Falls. There’s something peaceful about walking the streets at night, seeing the sculptures lit up, and just taking your time with nowhere to rush off to. The river just outside our hotel added to it all — so pretty, especially in the evening, and a nice reminder to slow down and soak in the little moments.

The tournament itself was such a blessing. Getting to watch Noah, Bodhi, and Sam all play soccer together was something I won’t forget. The first game started a little slow, but the team found their rhythm and pulled out a win. The second game was a tough one and ended in a loss, and the third wrapped up in a tie. Through it all, it was fun to watch each of them bring something different to the field.

Noah really showed up this weekend and played hard every game. He was focused and determined, and it was exciting to watch him push himself. He’s so fast, and can beat his fastest opponents. Sam had a big moment scoring on a penalty kick, which had everyone cheering. And Bodhi held his own against boys much older than him — never backing down and giving it everything he had. Watching them all out there together made the weekend feel even more meaningful.

And then there was Leo, who patiently tagged along to all the games and all the running around. He was such a trooper through it all, so we made sure to reward his patience with a stop at a fun park downtown. It ended up being one of his favorite parts of the trip, and honestly, it was nice to let him have his own special moment too.

Between games, we found some great new restaurants around downtown and just enjoyed being together. Good food always seems to make a trip better, especially when there’s time to sit, laugh, and talk about the day. And on top of all that, I got to spend a little time on Mother’s Day doing one of my favorite things — browsing antique shops. It was such a simple thing, but the perfect way to spend a little quiet time in the middle of a busy weekend.