Our Secret Weapon

(pictured Simon, Jackson, Dillon, Robbie, Christopher)
(pictured Austin, Gio, Dillon, Robbie, and Blake)
Robbie's soccer skills have improved immensely--even just over the past week. But it's because we have a secret--Dillon! The boy in the green next to Robbie's name is Dillon. He moved here from Columbia a year ago, and is insane at soccer! He's on a club team here and you should see his footwork. Sure, he's only 11, but he's better than me, and can ball handle his way around Rob. So, we told him to teach Robbie. He and the other neighborhood boys come by and play games. It's taught Robbie what real passing looks like, how to keep his eye on the ball--even with a hulking body trying to hide it--and he's getting aggressive and fast. His buddy Braden came by yesterday to test his skills with the big kids too. Dillon is very protective of Robbie and always makes sure to build him up. It's great! And the big kids like it too--they actually come and knock on our door to play. I'd rather get to know the big kids in the neighborhood (they're whopping 5th and 6th graders!) on my grounds, too. It's a win win.
And don't worry . . . we don't leave Robbie to the wolves. We're always out there playing with him!