Halloween 2017

Halloween around here is a kiddy-friendly time, much to the chagrin of the parents who are very cognizant of the fact that it quickly becomes candy central in all sorts of ways. At school the event is so big that the entire soccer field is lined with stalls of all manner of activities. But regardless of the activity one thing is the same: candy. And so it was that, after the necessary conversations about self control and "it's not about the candy" and proper nutritional statements, the girls ran around the school (and later the neighborhood) collecting as much candy as they could, with little to not self control and little to no consideration for nutritional habits, focused nearly entirely on "the candy". 

Sometimes, as a parent, you know you've lost the battle. Halloween is like that. 

On the other hand the girls were wonderful in selecting what they wanted to be, with Irini deciding that Pippy Longstocking would work for her and Amalia - in her Amalia sort of way - deciding to mix things up and be a Greek Goddess for one day and a bat for the other. Either way, we were all smiles all around. Is that a cavity there? :-)

Team Sports!

When the girls were born Daddy was all excited about the possibilities of their following his footsteps into team sports. But the idea seemed quite elusive as the girls chose activities such as yoga, and Book Cooks and horseback riding and climbing. Though thrilled that they were involved in so much, he kept doing his best to share with them his passion for team sports. This season the list was long with activities of all sorts - climbing, and riding, and piano and dance - but it took just a statement from Irini's PE teacher to get her suddenly "on board" with soccer!  It was late in the sign up season. We'd have to wait and see if she could do it. Mommy and daddy confirmed that it was what she wanted to do. Yes, she did. And so, when the news came out that she was "good to go" with the soccer team they were thrilled as can be!

Irini took her first steps onto a soccer field in September and has loved the experience! Playing in a mixed 4th/5th grade team, and often against older competition, she has been happy as can be on the team!  Her teacher, Mrs. Turner, is the perfect first coach. Supportive and loving, focusing on growth and learning. Not much of a competitive feel to the competitions, but that's developmentally appropriate and, anyway, that probably fits better with our little girl's personality. 

We wish you nothing but wonder, beautiful girl!  We love you, in competition, in activities, in academics, in all sorts of learning, in life!  

Mommy the Coach.

Sometimes you just have to say, "why not"?  Early in the year daddy was approached by the athletics office and asked to coach one of the girls' volleyball teams in Middle School. His customary answer is "I'm not sure I can commit to all the practice/game times". So the idea of asking around and getting an assistant coach popped up. And, what does one do when they need an assistant?  Well, they ask their wife, of course!

Much to his surprise, mommy said "why not?" and so a new coaching tandem was born. What a great season for the girls and for the coaches. It was a great way for them to share some time while learning something new, about each other and about their team. In the end no championships were won, no medals were handed over... but the experience was a great one!  Mommy even mentioned that she might consider it for next year too. 

Oh, and our girls loved coming in to play volleyball at the end of practice after their activities. Perhaps this is the start of a master plan to make them super volleyball players... or not. :-)

Friends.

Part of the beauty of living internationally is the benefit of learning to work and play with people different than ones self. For our girls we have been forever grateful to have this opportunity - for them to get to know so many friends from so many different places. Case in point. We returned to year two only to be invited, almost immediately, to a play date with some of Irini's best friends. And so, off Irini went to reunite with friends she's made over the course of time here. Of course, children do what children do, but from an adult point of view, how amazing and hopeful that the children they choose to surround themselves with are of such inner beauty that their backgrounds don't matter.  They have so much to teach the world about community, what is true and what diversity celebrated looks like. We love you sooooo much!

Summer Fun

Sometimes, when you look back at your summer, the things that jump out at you aren't the beautiful places or architecture. They're not the landscapes or seascapes. Sometimes all you focus on is the smile and laughter of little beings. Though they are certainly getting bigger, our two little pumpkins (as Amalia referred to herself) are certainly enjoying things. Was it a bird that pooped on your head? was it an ice cream that somehow ended up on your nose?  Was it a swing where you decided to be too cool for words? Whatever it was, it was a wonderful example of happiness in being in the moment. Love and more love!