Last soccer game

 Serafina had her last game of the season yesterday.  They lost, but played hard.  She was pretty lukewarm about playing this season and didn't really enjoy attending practice or games, but over the last couple weeks, she started playing noticeably better.  I'm not sure if she'll want to sign up again in the fall.  The team plans to stay together and I'm sure they would have a spot for her if she wants.

Here's the whole team in front of the fancy professionally printed banner one of the moms had made.

 After the game, we had a picnic at the park where they play.

 The coaches came up with something encouraging to say when they handed out the medals, like "strongest kick or most improved".  Serafina was acknowledge for her team spirit and her "gymnastics on the sidelines".  Ooof.

Later in the afternoon we went to the Stanford shopping center to pick up some presents for Tom's birthday and get me a new computer.  (I'm using it right now to post! Very exciting since my old machine crapped out many months ago and I've been using one of Tom's).  The kids wanted to stop by the American Girl store too since it is at that mall and bring Serafina's two dolls.  Leo got to carry Josefina.  He has zero concern about gender norms and just likes American Girl dolls.  He's particularly fond of one named Maryellen from the 1950s, which I find especially sweet because of my aunt Mary Ellen. 

Soccer Saturday

Serafina isn't exactly loving soccer this season.  She'd much rather spend her time on a grassy field doing handstands and backbends and cartwheels.  But she made a commitment to a team so she'll finish out this season.  But before the game started, she had to get some tumbling in.  

She actually played better than usual.  She stayed on the ball more, moved it up the field and even took a couple of shots on goal.  No one from her team managed to score this game, but they all played hard.  

Serafina and her teammate Elise (number 20) are the two tallest girls on their team...maybe even in their division.  You can see they totally tower over this little purple player.  

 Leo had diving lessons today but made it to the field to see most of the game.  He found the game complete uninteresting so instead he stuffed himself into the carrying bag for my folding chair.  

The start of soccer season

Serafina started another soccer season this Saturday.  She's number 23.  

 Here she is with Emma.  They played a good game, but Serafina needs to work on her endurance.  She was looking pretty worn out towards the end.

 Tom returned from a business trip to Ireland on Saturday too.  He brought some authentic Irish "crisps".

 That night we went to a pizza place and we introduced the kids to pinball.  Leo liked it.

End of Spring Soccer

Here's Serafina at her game on Saturday morning.  

 She had a game scheduled for this coming Saturday, but half the team will be at a swim meet so we rescheduled for tonight.  Since Serafina has hip hop dance class on Tuesday afternoon, she had to go directly to the game from the dance studio so she wore her uniform to dance.

 Here's the team and Coach Joel.  From left to right: Emma, Madyson, Riley, Kaya, Allison, Serfina and Elise.

 Crazy faces.

Saturday soccer game

Serafina got to play her second soccer game of the season.  She's missed a lot of games this season, but she won't have to miss any more.  She kept her head in the game and didn't slow down the whole game.  I was proud of her.  

Here's she is as goalie.  

 And working those long legs.

 Leo had fun on the sidelines hanging with Halle.

 Then I got the fussy baby to fall asleep because I'm the baby whisperer as long as it isn't my baby.

Soccer Uniform

Last weekend was rained out.  This weekend we are traveling.  Poor Serafina hasn't had the opportunity to play a single soccer game this season.  She did put on her uniform to go to soccer clinic last night, so I took a picture.  

At least she'll have a nice jersey to wear for "sports day" during Spirit Week.  

Last soccer game of the season

Today Serafina played her last soccer game of the season.  It has been fun to watch her play.  She tries hard and even though she didn't score a goal this season, she got close a couple of times.  She really likes playing goalie and she's pretty good at it.  

 After the game, the team went out for pizza to celebrate a successful season.  Here are a few teammates - Allison, Kaya, Elise and Serafina.

 The league gives medals instead of trophies.  Coach Nate presented the girls with their medals.

Serafina's first soccer game

 Serafina kicked off her soccer season this morning.  She was nervous before the game because she hasn't played before and the rest of the girls all have a couple of season under their belts.  She was also pretty excited.  

She did well, but needs to get a little more aggressive.  She also got pretty tired so maybe I need to make her run some sprints.  

 She also got to play goalie, which she was enthusiastic about.  Maybe because it gave her a break from running.

Serafina starts soccer

Serafina had her first soccer practice today.  She was nervous about it, but she knows lots of girls on her team and the coaches are very nice.  She's playing with mostly second graders since the league creates the divisions by birth year instead of school year.  

She was also worried because she hasn't played before but she caught on quickly and declared at the end of practice that it was actually fun.  

 The coaches handed out the jerseys and after a bit of discussion, the girls decided they will be the Green Gators.

Trying new things

Leo has expressed an interest in skateboarding on and off for a while.  Last week, I took him to his first skateboarding lesson at a skate shop not too far from our house.  

 The guys I grew up with taught themselves to skateboard out on the streets - no lessons, no pads, no helmets.  But this is a different era and I paid a sweet guy to hit the streets with Leo and show him the ropes.  He thrived on the one-on-one attention and enjoyed his first lesson.  I gave him his space during the first lesson so all I have is paparazzi type photos like this one of him returning to the shop at the end of the lesson.

We borrowed a board from his friend Max and Leo practiced at home during the week.  On Saturday, we returned for another lesson.  He spent half the time out on the street and the other half on the ramp in the back of the shop.  

 He really likes skateboarding and we really like to see him excited about something.  He practiced at home.

 Yesterday I got him his own board and to say he was thrilled would be a major understatement.  He wanted to ride it to the park that afternoon but also wanted me to hold his hand the whole way.  How could I say no.  He's not going to want to hold my hand while skateboarding, or any other time, for much longer.

Today we took a little trip to a skate park with his friend Max.  Max has been skating for a lot longer and is much bolder, but I was proud of my timid guy for being brave, shaking off the falls and trying his best.  

This little firecracker is all signed up to play soccer this fall.  Practices will start later this month so I decided I should show her some basics.  I think she'll do just fine.  

Soccer medal

Tonight Leo's soccer team gathered for a pizza party and to pass out the medals.

He was so happy about his medal.

We had to leave early because I had a board meeting, so we didn't have a chance to try the bright orange cake.  (It was even brighter in person.)

Last soccer game of the season

Yesterday was the last soccer game of the season. I wanted to do a happy dance when the final whistle blew and I didn't have to face another game or practice. It's been rough. Really rough. Leo has gotten better (at least he runs on the field), but he still is pretty clueless out there.

Here he is wandering around.  I often have to yell for him at least figure out where the ball is on the field.

Serafina didn't hide her bordem.

High five-ing the other team after the game.

As frustrating as it was to watch Leo play this season, he seemed to enjoy it.  If he wants to play next fall, I'll have him do some soccer camp this summer and have him stay in the same level as this year instead of moving him up.  He was one of the youngest (or maybe the youngest) and he does better as one of the older kids.