We're Number Two!

Anna and Jonathan are over half way through soccer season so it's time for the scouting report. 

Coincidentally, both kids wear the same color and number this season, allowing us to address them collectively as in "Hey, number twos, put on your shin guards and get out to the car! We're late!"

Anna loves playing and is occasionally aware that there is a soccer game going on around her. During one game she perfected her "Sound of Music" twirl. Fortunately, the competition part is very low-key at her age. They don't use goalies or keep score. And she loves her friends.

Jonathan is a homebody and complains before every game, but inevitably enjoys it once he's there. He has improved immensely since last season when he almost never touched the ball. Taking after his mom, he has not necessarily shown signs of being a natural athlete, but most of the time he works hard and does his best which are great life lessons.

Once, chatting on the sidelines, I learned that a couple of moms from Jonathan's team each had two engineering degrees and an MBA. Boy did I feel like a slacker with one measly engineering degree! The coach is also an engineer. I think these engineering-type parents contribute to the intensity of the boys on the team, making their games really fun to watch.  The boys also love it.

During last Saturday's game Jonathan scored his first goal ever. Afterward he acted completely unfazed by this accomplishment, unlike his parents.  We were the ones jumping up and down on the sidelines, handing out cigars and yelling, "That's my boy!"

Tonight with a 4-2 lead, he played goalie for the first time, making the 4th quarter very nerve-wracking. Again, he seemed unfazed, even when one ball got past him.

One of his best friends was on the other team, so Jonathan told us afterward that he was never very sad when the other team scored. And when Jonathan's team won, he told his friend that he thought both teams were equally good. We've been working on the whole boasting thing recently and we're thankful that the right thing came out of his mouth this time.

However, if he scores any more goals, I may need some anti-boasting lessons myself!

Back to School

Well, we've almost made it through 3 days of school and it seems like everyone has adjusted remarkably.  The big kids are tired but happy in their classes.  On the first day, Jonathan reported that his teacher was, "as grumpy as an old grizzly bear."  It took us a moment to realize that he was joking.

The first morning was rough for me.  Upon arrival at Jonathan's new school, it became clear that I would not easily find a parking spot, particularly one that would give me enough time to walk him to his class, walk back to the car with Anna and Braden, and get to Anna's school on time.  So I ended up dropping Jonathan off with the parking lot attendant.  As I drove away, I was really sad about how things had unfolded and after about a mile made the decision that Anna would be a little late on her first day so that we could send Jonathan off properly.  We went back to his school and found him all alone on a bench outside the first grade doorway:

His class was lining up right around the corner, but he didn't know.  We were able to unite him with his class and best friend who is providentially in his class. After that it was all good.

I'm glad to have been able to put aside my rule/clock following tendencies for once and do what needed to be done.

Anna was only 15 minutes late, and things were just getting stated when she arrived.  Responsible Lutherans that they are, we did have a message inquiring after her on the answering machine at home.  Anna returns to a loving kindergarten teacher whom she also enjoyed for preschool.

Now my mornings are full of this goofy guy, who is not much of a conversationalist yet.  It is strange to think that he won't be in kindergarten for 4 more years.  Yet I don't dare wish that time away, because I know it is just around the corner.

I Don't Got Rhythm

The kids and I were recently watching some excerpts from "The Muppet Show" on youtube. This one makes me laugh every time I see it, particularly because I've been on both ends of this situation myself, as the one trying to accompany a person who "don't got" rhythm and the one standing out in front trying to find some rhythm.