Hi from 2023

 Family is like the most important thing. 

And sharing your family story and journalling are important. My kids are the coolest and I want to remember the details. 

All 3 boys are playing for the Celtic soccer club. Steven is the social media manager and goes above and beyond. The reels he makes are quality, on beat, on trend, with variety, timely, and certainly contribute to the culture of the club. I hear buzz about the previous night's reel form the sidelines. It's impressive. 

Last year, Isaac played for Pinellas County United. It's not far from the house, but was in the other direction. We often had kids at 4 different places for their soccer games and Julia's swim meets. This year, the Celtic club upgraded into the ECNL soccer league so all of the boys in the club will be at the same location together. They still practice between the club's 2 different field locations on different days/times, but the games, although some will be way further away, will all be together! Julia will tag along most weekends. She is not that into soccer so yesterday she colored, read books, brought a personal fan to share, and helped carry her chair and water etc. She put her own hair up too. The boys go to their team shady gathering spots before their games on their own. It was a hot day, but had shade and a breeze and was a beautiful soccer Saturday. 

April Fool's Day

Want a lollipop? 

My kids were not happy about the broccoli pops I made. 🍭Dylan ripped his paper off and put it in his mouth before complaining! Isaac threw it right past me into the trash. Tyler reacted the least and poor Julia saw the boys eating their real ones and wanted her "bee pop" so I had to fool her too. Aw, poor baby, #aprilfools ! First thing when she woke up. 

I had popsicle sticks from making cake pops (or because I am a bit of a hoarder and have something for every need.) 😝

I also gave the kids mazes to do which were unfinishable. So fun. 

Then I got new tired on my van, took Isaac to get pic retakes, and 

Went to watch Steven coach Tyler's soccer team to victory. 

The Undefeated Spartans!

Either our kids are good, or the coaches are awesome. Either way, it's time for club soccer. Our kids love it and are confident. Dylan learned to play his position better this season. Steven has to keep him back on defense and Dylan gets back into position. Isaac is more agressive and has more fun with it. The missisonaries came to their last game like last year. Ivy and Tyler had so much fun with them. It was a busy day with school, a messy play date, painting the cardboard boxes, setting up, winning the soccer game, then going back to eat celebratory Steak and Shake milkshakes along with our soup kitchen soup and bag lunch PB&Js before watching The Pursuit of Happiness on an outdoor screen and "sleeping" in our cardboard boxes. I'm tired again just thinking of it! 

Camp Kickinthegrass

Dylan, Isaac, and Noah had fun at their 5 half days of the Rowdies soccer camp, Camp Kick In The Grass. 

On Monday, I took the girls and Tyler to the beach since Liz Walke invited us. It was a quick trip, but fun. 

Julia did not nap long. The access just south of the public IRB access has a shower, has packed sand, and is a short treck to the water. Nice for a stroller. Liz had an umbrella set up. Bonus! 

Doe got Julia her outfit, the swimsuit and hat. 

Julia and Reese played some. Malia floated in the surf the whole time. Ivy and Peyton liked the water the most. Tyler went in with me and Julia but the waves crashed in his face too much so he stuck to collecting shells. 

I attempted a group picture but julia had not napped long and wanted me. Malia gave up and left the group. Eh. 

We got back a little early and saw Noah save a ball as the goalie. I saw bothteams score. Our 3 lost by one point. 

The kids had fun every day. On Friday, it rained the whole time. The kids loved it except for the lightning part. They had to do nothing then. 

Colombia Day 3: Dylan's high point

After the Lunch, we heard there was an amazing desert place next to a park. The boys were excited to be able to run with their soccer balls. The girls did some happy eye raking and laughing then crashed. 

We got stuck in traffic and turned off the car for quite awhile. Julia was sleeping so I didn't mind. They were doing road work and only let one side of traffic go at a time. 

We went to the ariquípe factory store. It was like a grocery store of dairy products, pastries, and beverages. 

Leonardo carried Julia and refused to let me help. So nice! 

The weather was so lovely. A little cool. 

I think Julia had her first desert. Leo shared his. 

The boys scarfed theirs and played soccer. 

It is the perfect set up. 

Julia went down her first slide :) 

It was sooo good to fe free and outside and playing! 

Poor Tyler slept through the whole thing. We did not get anything to go which surprised me. We did not even get an exrta water though. 

The boys played with their uncles. 

I noticed some boys sitting on the swings and asked if they wanted to play too. They studied English in school and knew we were from los Estados Unidos. They were as excited to be playing with us as Dylan was to be playing with real Colombians. A dream come true!!!

That night, I stayed in with the kids while Steven and Andre met up with Marlene who told them all kinds of family stories.