Springtime!

Between the time change and the beautiful weather, we've been able to enjoy some nice walks.  Or run/biking/walking/...Caroline loves to ride her bike and Kevin isn't quite there yet.  We've taken his training wheels off, but hasn't mastered the 2 wheel bike yet.  So Kevin walks and runs on our little outings.  Once we got to the sidewalk, the kids took off.

Of course with running comes falling.  "It's so bloody.  I need a bandaid."

The kids took a timeout and walked down to the pond.  Since we have had no rain for 2 years, the pond levels are all so low.  Now we've got a little beach!

"OK.  Smile.  Let me take a picture."  Look at my bloody knees!

Let's try this again.  Sexy legs.  Ooh la la!

On St. Patrick's Day, the kids got up to find that the leprechaun left them giant cookies, with a note that said they could eat them for breakfast.  WHAT?!?!?!?!  Cookies for breakfast?  That's crazy!  We don't eat cookies at breakfast time.  He also left beads and spelled out St. Patty's Day in green and yellow candies.  In previous years, the leprechaun has somehow turned the kids milk green.  It comes out of the container white, but as it fills the glasses, it turns green.  This year, Caroline was so excited to see it happen that she got up before me and poured her own milk.  Much to her dismay, the leprechaun did not turn the milk green this year.  She did put in a request that since the leprechaun didn't do it, that maybe I could add food coloring so that they could still have green milk.  I happily complied.

Kevin had an 8 am game on St. Patrick's day.  He was on fire. I guess those special leprechaun cookies for breakfast worked!  He scored 6 goals in the 2nd quarter. I love this picture because it shows the determination on his face.  He is so fast.

Primarily because of Kevin's 6 goals in the 2nd quarter, they put him in the 3rd quarter with the other boy who is really good.  They ended up taking the ball away from each other a decent amount (as they do in 4/5 year old soccer) and so he "only" scored 3 goals in the 3rd.  He played so well.  He was focused.  He was fast.  He controlled the ball.  Great defense.  He looked amazing!  Go Kevin!

We had Caroline's game next.  Most of the time she plays on the far side of the field, so all of my shots of her are far away and most of the time, by the time the picture takes some kid has stepped in front of her and blocks my line of sight.  These are the best shots I have.  She is that tiny white spec kicking the ball at the goalie (with the yellow pinnie), she took a shot on goal.  As you can see, the goal is not in sight, so the shot didn't make it, but if she hadn't taken it then, she would have lost the ball anyway.

Here is the closest shot I've gotten of her this season.  Dribbling the ball.

This picture I included because it shows her (#13) passing the ball to Preston, her teammate.  This is exciting only because she is the only one on the team who will actually pass.  Her team stinks.  This was Tom's first game this season and he commented on how painful it was to watch.  No one passes.  They take the ball away from their own teammates (see previous comment on 4/5 year old soccer).  They bunch up all out of position.  It's going to be a rough season for her.  It's hard coming from consistently good teams to this.  Other parents have commented that the team doesn't look too bad.  I guess Caroline (and us) has just been spoiled.  She comes off the field from games and practice complaining about her team.  I just keep telling her to stay positive, learn what she can, do her best, and try to have fun.  She is just passing through this season to the next when she will be back with all girls and be playing with kids at her same level.

Kevin finally put together his last Lego set from Christmas.  It is a 569 piece Boba Fett ship.  Ages 9-14.  He did 99.9% of it himself.  I just sat with him to make sure he pushed the pieces down tight enough.  It took him 3 afternoons...

and he did it!!!!!  Super cool!

Caroline's teacher brought out the poles for her to practice trotting in jump position this week.

She is off the lead line most all of the time now.  In 2 weeks, she gets to canter for the first time.  She is so excited!