This two and a half year old seems to have wrangled in a #1 fan and water bottle support for his very intense soccer training schedule:)

Soccer practice must always be paired a visit to the playground afterwards. Always.

Kids, where the post soccer calorie burn is met with more physical activity. No need to conserve those reserves:) But there is something to a freedom of movement after having to pay attention to others and follow directions and kick a ball and run down the field in the correct direction.

Like any good sleepover, sleeping is merely an afterthought.

Before calling Xanna today, Meryl played the xylophone to serenade my laundry folding. Pleased with her talent, she stated that she could play in a talent show without even needing to practice. And when I asked her what song she’d be playing when her name would be announced, she proudly proclaimed, “random music.” Well played, Meryl, well played.

Why clean up when it’s all coming out again? Back in the bin tonight, order resumes tomorrow. Or at least, the Sunday night dream of it:) Cheers to the week ahead!

Summer Olympics! We watched the opening ceremony this morning. Sunflowers were in abundance as a symbol of hope and recovery in Japan after the 2011 radioactive spill from a nuclear power plant in Fukushima, they have an ability to absorb radiation from soil at a much faster than other plants. Symbolizing a bright future for anyone who envisions it - amidst a pandemic, celebrating peace, and recognizing the best athletes from all over the globe - it’s nice to dial up all the cheer and encouragement we can.

Take-out brought in with shiny placemats! Sooo many things to touch, it’s a good thing we were confined to the dining room with a closed door!

Frozen yogurt bars operate a little differently these days. But hey, if you’ve never been to one, you’d never know that you used to be able to scoop heaps of toppings on top! As parents, this works pretty well:)

I gotta give this girl credit. She’s always game for something new. This past weekend we added tap class(!) to her repertoire. And after soccer, she decided to slide down the climbing rope instead of the fire pole, because what else is there to do at the playground? We even had to have our stair railing reinforced to continue supporting her American Ninja Warrior training. I used to think we might wear her out, but are we conditioning her to never get tired?

The marble maze continues to amaze.