U-6 Soccer Action Shot

U-6 Soccer Action Shot
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos

Our team is orange, playing deep over red's side of the line.

(Taken with my phone.)

B.

U-6 Soccer Adventure: July 22, 2008

Tonight went well despite a couple of notable players' absence.  It was probably Super Girl's strongest game so far.  She was in nets for a while and made her strongest kick so far when she had the ball and was kicking it our to her team after a goal.  She also kicked the ball on the field a couple of times as well.  When she's more confident I think she'll really get "into" this game.

I slipped away for a couple of minutes and watched Action Girl on her Under Eight team.  She seemed to be in the middle of things and was playing as part of her team.  The idiosyncrasies of soccer team assignment has mean that she is not on the strongest team in her division, but she was happy to report a tie tonight.  You may have noticed that I didn't give a score for Action Girl's game.  We don't actually keep score in the under six group.  That said, it was a blow-out for the other team, which is very unusual for us as we're one of the stronger teams in our division.

A real problem has been the way in which some of our players have been ripping leaves off of and climbing a tree on the edge of the field.  No more!  I have spoken sharply to several players about this needless arbour abuse.

I wish I had some pictures!

B.

Saturday's Musing: Shrek

So, we didn't go yard camping last night because of the rain. The yard is still really wet, so the girls have graciously accepted a rein (rain?) cheque and are instead camping on an air mattress on the family room floor. We're watching Shrek.

Hmmm... So all of the fairy tale creatures are being sent to re-settlement camps? I never thought how much that was like ethnic cleansing... As anyone who's ever seen it knows very well, Shrek works on so many different levels.

Shrek's swamp = the Warsaw ghetto in World War II? Maybe I'm taking this too seriously. The girls are sure enjoying it, though.

B.

What I'm Watching: "Where the Hell is Matt"

What I'm obsessing over might be a more accurate term. I love this video:




Go to www.wherethehellismatt.com to learn more.

Basically a guy named Matt Harding has made silly (but somehow moving) video clips of him and whatever/whomever is around him dancing in 71 different countries.

The four of us have watched it together and enjoyed it. I think you will too.

B.

Back to Work, On and Off the Field...

Today (Friday) is the last work day of my first week back to work. As much as I hate to admit it, this week has gone well. Here are some highlights, though:

1. Monday I was so tired I feel asleep right after supper (me, the king of all night owls).
2. Things are manageable at work. I'm behind, its hard, and there no shortages of crises, BUT things are under control.
3. Last night at soccer my "co-coach" was out sick. Flying solo was a different experience. I'm better at the relationships than the skills. I was better in the game than in the practice/drills. That said, I'm comfortable with my game show. The funniest time was when our team and the other team seemed to all succumb to a case of mass distraction, totally ignoring that the ball was in play waaaay down on the other end of the field. I gently picked up one of our players and transported him down the field towards the ball. You had to be there...
4. Tonight, the girls want to sleep outside in the tent. I will be with them, although our air mattress is only big enough for two.

Later,

B.

"Stay-cation" Wind Down

 

Tomorrow (Friday) is the last weekday of my two weeks and two days long "stay-cation" with Super Mom and the girls.

Highlights so far:

• Really cool bonfire/backyard soccer-fest with the coolest of cool family members (and kind of partying like it was 1995),
• Lots of beach time,
• A minimum of sunburns,
• Two amazing daughters decompressing from a year at school and really enjoying each other's company,
• Time to just hang with Super Mom,
• Seeing Wall-E at the theatres.  It was really great.  Who knew they still showed movies at the theatre?
• Time to relax...

More to follow,

B.

Post-Canada Day Wrap-Up

Last night we took the girls to see the fireworks for the first time. We watched from across the harbour and this made for a calmer gentler experience.

Earlier in the day, we went to a local Canada Day Fete with horses and kites and fire trucks. It was okay. I think it was our hottest day so far (27 degrees?).

In honour of Canada's 141st birthday, here are three of my favourite songs about Canada.

3.) (Salute to) The Royal Canadian Kilted Yaksmen by Ren and Stimpy. Someone a lot smarter than me will have to explain what it means when your best friend (the U.S.) thinks of you like this.

Listen here.


2.) Rocks and Trees by the Arrogant Worms. Yep, rocks and trees... Even here we have lots of rocks.

Listen here.

1.) Northwest Passage by the late, very great Stan Rogers. We are many things but we will always be a Northern People. This song still sends shivers up and down my spine.

Listen here.

Happy (Belated) Canada Day One and All,
B.