Kick (Early) Starter

While Olivia and her teammates were playing the beautiful game in the last tournament of their fall season, I was literally half a world away in Tokyo on a business trip. I eschewed sleep and sanity for to opportunity to follow the action via FaceTime. The late-morning kickoffs proved especially challenging because of the 14-hour time difference, but I cheered and yelled at my iPad as her team won the first game of their entire season, tied another, and nearly pulled off the upset in the championship game.

Face Off

Eight years ago . . .

Now . . .

Ballon A-d'Or-able

The menacing, yet charming stare of a 

first-year footballer

The Ballon d’Or (French for “Golden Ball”) and often referred to as the European Footballer of the Year award. Recent winners include Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. We live in the age when kids—perhaps their parents—expect to get trophies just for participating in youth sports. While I’m not one to subscribe to that mindset, I do want to recognize my wife and kids for their wholehearted (footed?) embrace of the beautiful game.

Reed will never walk (or stand) alone in his Liverpool kit;

here with other soccer buddies from school

(Photo courtesy of their kindergarten teacher) 

Reed is in his first season in a soccer league—I’m the head coach—and Olivia is competing in travel soccer for the first time. Their mother swore up and down that we would never get swept up by the frenzy that is the American travel-sports complex. We’ve obviously given in to that temptation, but Beni’s keen observation about our foray in this world affirms why this might be a good thing for our family.

Our peripatetic player

From her Instagram account:

One benefit of travel sports is spending each weekend together as a family, hours that we would have been home, running errands, cleaning, playing with friends, distracted from each other. I'm grateful for this time for us to connect, each weekend, in a new place. We've talked, fought, cheered, and laughed. (And she still loves soccer! Phew.)

Bear’s Close Examination

Our Ursa Minor could barely (bear-ly?) contain his excitement having stumbled upon this sitting option in the front entrance of the world’s leading (only?) sporting-goods store/carnival.

Wheel of Misfortune

Olivia was none too thrilled to be up in the indoor carousel with her mother. I think it was her trepidation of heights that was getting to her, and not her fear of being seen out in public with her parents.

Stick Figure

Reed is a man about mound(s), if you will. He discovered these dirt piles behind the soccer field where his sister was playing today. He’s always begging us to let him bring home the various sticks he finds.

How about this one?

A Flutter of Anticipation

Reed and his classmates took to the butterfly garden during art class for inspiration.

(Photo courtesy of Reed's kindergarten teacher) 

Weapons of Mass Imagination

The mind of a five-year-old is a curious thing. Reed, as he’s falling asleep tonight, blurted out:

“Mommy, I have a trick I want to show you but I need a dart.”

Liv a Little, Love a Lot

We had an afternoon of merriment and exploration with friends at the children’s museum.

Maddi (back) and Stella (left) joined Olivia

in the construction area

Frame of Mine

I can’t begin to put words to just how darn cute I find this picture from last week. If an ordinary picture is worth a thousand words, perhaps this one is worth a thousand puppies.

(Photo courtesy of Reed's kindergarten teacher) 

An Aye for an Eye

Our five-year-old: trivia enthusiast, giant-squid expert, cookie winner 

Beni: “Reed, do you like the giant squid hat that we brought you from Florida?”

Reed: “Yes, but it’s a colossal squid, not a giant squid.”

Beni (to me): “Schooled again by a 5-year-old.”

Obligatory First-Day-of-School Picture

Smile, brother! It's time for school!

Pre-School

The kids’ school offered families the opportunity to meet teachers! See classrooms! Bring in school supplies! Decorate lockers! Connect with PTO! Enjoy treats! Relax on the playground! Turn in forms! Pick up parking tags! And purchase locks as well as spirit wear!

The move-in enthusiasm was shared by the Mohawked-and-necktied one and his chevron-styling sister.

For Shore

The kids surfed in G’s home turf of the Ocean State. We were joined in Rhode Island by the newly engaged Aunt Liz and her fiancé, Don, who considered the lobster with our pescatarian son.

Poetry in Commotion

Our kids have this sing-song phrase they drill into our earballs from time to time:

“Me farty, me poopy, me William Shakespeare.”

Brilliant as the bard himself, I know. To counteract such crassness, we have to infuse culture into their lives every once in a while. This was such an attempt, as we made our way over to a local manor—where, by the way, Beni and I had our wedding reception—for a free children’s Shakespeare show on the front lawn.

You'll Never Walk Alone

Fanaticism starts early: Here's Reed sporting his brand-new Liverpool Football Club kit. (Olivia got hers last fall.)

Last Game

Today marked my last day as Olivia's soccer coach. (I announced my "retirement" to the team in early spring.) After the game, our emotions churned like her legs do during one of her spirited midfield runs.

We've had ten seasons together in all—two seasons per year starting in 2009. She is the consummate coach's kid—she works hard at her game, leads by example, and keeps me in the loop.

In a game played by millions around the world, Olivia remains my favorite player to watch. She will continue to be so as I transition from the teams' sideline to the one for supporters. At least now I'll be able to cheer her on unreservedly.

Take Wing(s)

Reed flying from chris k on Vimeo.

Reed told his teacher later that he also hoped for duck feet.

Piece(s) of work

This was a two-day, two-babysitter affair, but Reed managed to complete—with help—the his-life-size puzzle of his underwater friends.

Make the Ice

Reed and his buddies put Kool-Aid and sugar into a pitcher not to make the break-time beverage, but to observe what happens when water is added to the mix. The preschoolers poured their sugary solution into ice trays, which they placed in the freezer. So, basically they were being Sid the Science Kid, only way cuter and far less annoying.

(Photos courtesy of Reed's pre-K teacher)