North Carolina

A week in NC.  Score Summer Soccer Invitational.  4 days of soccer, 7 games for Madison, 3 goals, 6 assists.  Bad weather, disappointment, lightning, thunder, rain delays, scorching sun, summer heat, excellent soccer!  We drove for about six hours to go to Greensboro where Madison's team had been invited to participate in a college showcase.  My sister and I lounged in the back while my mom and dad took turns driving us to Ashford Suites, our hotel.  Luckily, we got to the hotel safe and sound that afternoon on a Friday.  Everyone tried to go to bed early because we had a game early the next morning. That first day was a nightmare as there was miserable rain for most of the day and Madison's team was forced to play rain shortened games which they sadly lost.  But the following day, Sunday, brought super summer weather and fantastic soccer and as the tournament moved on, each day the hotter the weather became. It went from thunder and lightning to burning summer days full of ice cold drinks and sunscreen.  At Score, everyone was guaranteed at least four games, but after their 4th game, Madison's team kept winning and at that point in the tournament, if you win, you play again.  They made it to the consolation finals and won in penalty kicks (Madison hit the first one!).  After a discouraging 0-2 start to the tournament, Madison's team won their next 5 games and went 5-2, winning a champion's trophy.  I was very proud of her and throughout the whole tournament, she played great!

My reward for going to all of Madison's soccer games, rain or shine, morning or evening, was going to a WATER PARK!!!!  The park was called Wet 'n Wild.  (It wasn't as good as White Water, but it still was fun.)  There were slides, a lazy river, wave pool, raft rides and much much more.  My family mostly stayed on the raft rides and in the lazy river.  One ride we went on, we almost lost our lunch, it pretty much went straight down and we were in a raft going super fast.  (We never went on that ride again.)  All in all, it was a fun trip and Madison won a trophy, so I think everyone was happy and had an awesome time!!!