Weekend Recap

This weekend was special...Papa Joe (my dad) was in town!  He is the only parent on either Bobby's or my side of the family who doesn't (technically) live in town.  His job keeps him on the road about 80% of the time.  So when I do see him, I realize how much I wish I saw him more often...sniff, sniff.

Friday afternoon he and my sweet Aunt Joyce (one of dad's 3 sisters) came over to visit with the kids.  We were so preoccupied by visiting and just being in the moment that we took no pictures.  My Aunt Joyce is a fabulous seamstress, and when she spotted a project I was teetering with, she gave me some great pointers!  More on that in an upcoming post.  That night we all went to a local Mexican eatery.  Is it just me?  I could maybe eat Mexican every other day of the week with Italian filling in the gaps.  I love some flavor-rich food!  Pregnant me was tempted by the consumption of margaritas at our table!  I sure do miss those salty-rimmed, tequila-filled beverages!

On Saturday morning Rob had a soccer game, and my dad and Aunt Joyce got to see him play. Speaking of soccer, Rob is really improving in such a short time. He realizes he needs to be in better control of the ball, and he seems to understand the need for defending the ball.

One thing that is much less static is Caroline's attention span during the games.  Open fields + CC = wide open trouble!  She's my little wild child!  Just look at that expression below!

In the picture above, the game is done!  We didn't win but we had fun again! 

I'm still not getting used to this tunnel concept.  I have never seen it before.  After the traditional "good-game" handshaking lines, all the parents form a tunnel and both teams get to run about 3 laps through it.  Yes it's cool, but who thought this up?

(clockwise from top left) Joyce, Joe, Rob, and Caroline

Saturday afternoon I took Rob to see Disney's Chimpanzee movie.  Seriously cute documentary!  He and I both loved it!  Then Kristy and Jason came over for an impromptu dinner and card playing evening.

Today was a lazy Sunday.  We had the weirdest weather.  It was a gorgeous, cobalt-blue skied day but the wind was almost 30-mph.  Crazy!  Soccer pictures were taken and here's a sneak peek:



To my beloved Ehl family, I am me because of you!  Thank you for being half of my whole.  I love you all even if we see each other less frequently than others.  Dad, be safe out there and here is "until next time..."

My Soccer Superstar

  
So, Rob plays soccer now.  I mentioned here all about his 1st practice.  The kid looooves soccer!  It is definitely an active sport.  I don't think he yet understood the philosophy and strategy of baseball.  He got bored while defensively working a base.  He played in the dirt ('cause...you know...no other 4 yr old has ever done that, right?)  

Anyhoo, onto soccer, which was an instant hit!  This week was his first game.  Rob was so excited.  If he knew who David Beckham was, he'd definitely think he was DB's alter ego!  I am so proud of my little man, too!

(L-R) Keegan, Charlie, Rob and Ryan

Here are some "bigger life lessons" that we learned just in the first game:

1.  Sometimes you just have to follow the rules -- like it or not.  Rob wanted to wear red shorts.  I told him that Coach Sarah asked all the players to wear black shorts.  When you sign up for a team, you are agreeing to be a part of that team.  You decide as a group or you obey a chosen leader which direction to go.  Even when you are a grownup (yuck) you will have to follow rules like work uniforms, etc.

black shorts...check!

2.  Sometimes you are going to lose.  There was not much talk of a score, but at one point I heard my sweet 5-yr-old keeping up with the score in his head.  I even lost count.  The other team beat us somewhere in the neighborhood of 8-2!  After the game, Rob caught me off guard by asking me if his team won or lost and I changed the subject.  At home, I revisited the discussion and tried to gingerly tell him that his team lost, but it was okay because I am sure he had fun.  Rob interrupted me and said "Mommy, I know we lost.  Did you not want to tell me at the game because you didn't want to make my teammates sad?"  Sweet boy!

One of many goals scored by the "other" team...

3.  Sometimes the best things in life only come to you as a result of hard work.  The next morning I have to physically drag Rob out of bed for school and he whined about being exhausted.  I mentioned something about maybe we shouldn't play soccer if this is how our mornings are going to go.  He shot up out of bed and said, "No!  I love soccer.  I'll wake up, I promise!"

This is fun!!!

Here are some shots I took of his first game.  Enjoy!

Hahaha...perhaps she's so embarrassed by the score, she's in cognito!

My Soccer Sweetie

After 3 seasons of tee-ball and coach-pitch baseball (2 springs and 1 fall) Rob broke Bobby's and my heart by announcing he did not want to play baseball this year.  Seriously.  Sad news.

Then one day Rob brought home a flyer informing us that Prince of Peace soccer registration had opened.  Rob caught wind of this (let's face it; it's not like Rob read it himself) and immediately started wanting to play soccer.  Wait...what??? Bobby was less than enthused.  He has never been a fan of this sport, but he did admit he was happy Rob wanted to do something. 

So, with no further ado, Rob is now a soccer player.  This past Thursday was Rob's first practice. 

There are 6 kids on the team: Rob, Ryan, Charlie, Abby, Olivia, and Keegan.  They all are either in Rob's class or in the other 4's at POP.  Bobby and I were secretly hoping he wouldn't like it and we could direct him back to the baseball diamond. Rob LOVED it.  I think it really helps that Rob already knows these kids and is surrounded by his peers.  He now says all the time "I can't wait until next Thursday!" That's his next practice.  Here are some shots from practice #1:

...and that's a wrap!  Hope you all are having a great weekend!