A MS Athlete 2.

As Irini grows she's really loving team sports. She is rushing from one season to another and, on some occasions, from one team to another. Though playing volleyball with her mom and dad she has also been able to be on the grade 6 team since there were in need of a few extra players. This is a group of girls that she's been sharing soccer with for the past few years and so was happy as can be find time to practice with them. Every once in a while she was also able to play with the team as well!  You can see from the smile on her face just how happy she was and, with sweat dripping from her brow, a sense of accomplishment as well. We love to see that in her, and how she's really growing into a young athlete!

Our Little One Starts Her Athletic Life!

With her sister setting the tone for sports over the past couple years, Amalia was chomping at the bits to get started as well. She was coming to practices and staying to play afterwards. She was watching games or sitting on the bench. She was listening and asking questions. Now in 4th grade, though, she is finally able to participate on her own terms!

Season 1 for this little girl began with soccer. She wasn't quite sure about soccer but she knew she wanted to be on the Mini-Falons team, so she went for it. It helped that several of her friends were doing it also. To make things even better she was put on the same team as one of her best frineds on all the world, Eva!

She instantly loved the sport and her coaches were very supportive, allowing her to blossom into a good little player. The pictures and video here are of her first week of practices, before games had formally begun, but it coincided with daddy's first time watching this little girl in soccer action!  

By the end of the season our little one was happily and boldly stating, "I love soccer" and even participating in games with older students (including the 6th grade team that needed extra players for a game or two). We hope that this is but the beginning of our girl's athletic future!  We love you Amalia!!

A MS Athlete!

 

With every passing day our little girl is becoming not-so-little. Irini, now in Middle School, made her way to her first formal tryouts back in September. From a parent perspective we could tell instantly the difference between a 5th grade "everyone makes the team" approach and the more serious MS "we're making cuts" approach.   After just one day of try outs it was obvious that the pressure was high, as was the stress level. Irini found it difficult to be sharing the court with girls as old as 8th grade, some of whom were jump serving. For a 6th grader who has never tried formal volleyball in her life this was quite a jump. But, as much as the stress was high, she determined that she would follow through with her commitment to the tryouts and see what would come of it, focus on those things which she could control (effort, communication, listenting, etc.) and not worry about the things she could not (e.g. whether she made the team, who her teammates might be, etc.). 

With every passing day of tryouts (there were three) she got more and more confident and, by the end of tryouts she had made the MS Junior Falcons team!  We were thrilled to welcome her. To make it a family affair it was quite fortuitous that both mommy and daddy were coaching the team as well!  How cool!

The season seemed short but the growth of both Irini and her 12 teammates was quite impressive. They girls became a good team by the end and really learned how to play together, focusing on hustle, communication, supporting each other, etc. Without the pressure of playing time (everyone plays the same amount of time at this level) the team really bonded and became proud Falcons!  Irini was no exception to that as she continued to develop her skills. 

By the end of the season we could not be prouder of Irini and her work ethic, her growth, her commitment to the team and her being such a great learner!  We are hopeful that she will continue to thrive in sports as she continues on to season 2 (basketball) and beyond!  We love you Irinoula!

Charcoal and Face Cleaning. Who Knew?

Ah, the things one has to do to be a parent. There are times when you have to sit back and wait to ensure that all the left overs are eaten. Or there are times when you have to do the driving to ensure that your children are having fun with their friends. There are times you have to read with them. You have to make sure they've done their teeth and gotten ready for bed. Other times you have to be there to support them during games or performances. Other times still you just have to listen. And every once in a while you have to be part of the beautification process.... and so it was when daddy was introduced to charcoal face masks. The girls will insist that it does wonders for their skin. Daddy's not so sure about the quality of the skin, but it sure was fun to share the experience!  Here's to many more such fun and new experiences!

Dubai Fun

When we first got to Dubai, now over three years ago, we promised ourselves that we wouldn't be caught up with a lifestyle of over-consumption of high-end presents, experiences and the like. We'd keep things real, so to speak. But, as the daily life moves forward it's hard not to be allow one's self to be sucked in to the many options for fun that exist in this place. Before long we were going to the pool, then the mall, then the water park, then the escape room and, of course, the amusement parks that call this area home. 

On this October day we took advantage of the good weather and headed off to one of the amusement parks. Each girl brought a friend and together we did several rounds of the fun and exciting things on offer. Rollercoasters, running around, special theme events, etc., were all on offer and though daddy, largely not interested in the adrenaline rush of near-death-like experiences, opted for watching from afar, the day was a huge success. The girls wore smiles from ear to ear, even if mommy and daddy showed a bit more wear and tear. :-)

For the record, we still still try to focus on the important things - family, friends, natural spaces - but we're also learning (some more quickly than others) of the benefits of having such entertainment spaces within such easy reach. Now, how does one complete with this stuff?  :-)