Soccer

We enrolled Alec in PreK soccer at the rec department this fall as a way for him to meet other kids he will go to Kindergarten with next year. Since he doesn’t go to PreK in our town, he will not go with anyone he knows. Successful in meeting kids…sure. Learning any soccer? Nope.  I hope it gets better next week because they had the kids scrimmage. Yep…no drills. No warm-up. Nada. Just scrimmage. On the first day. What the hell?  I felt really bad for Alec because he had concerns in the morning about going because he didn’t know how to play soccer- that he didn’t know the rules. I told him not to worry because that is what his coach is for…to teach him how to play. Well, didn’t I feel like an ass for telling him that.  Alec just pretty much stood on the field. Thankfully he didn’t hold me to it but I still felt bad. He seemed to be unfazed by the experience…but we’ll see next week if he gives us hard time about going. I’ll make him go but certainly won’t blame him if he doesn’t want to.

Cousin Nathan and Uncle Bruce……we need you! :)

It was picture day too. Clearly he’s shorter than he peers. No shock there since Erik and I are both height challenged as well.

See how wet his t-shirt is? I think he was really nervous. I have never seen him chew on his t-shirt before. Ever.

It was lunchtime after soccer so we pulled out all the stops and went to Rapid Ray’s.  It’s a local hot spot-invariably you will run into someone you know there –even a transplant like me.  I usually go once a year. Their culinary delights only tantalize after a night of heavy drinking. I should have been drinking- I would have enjoyed soccer and Rapid Ray’s more.  It didn’t stop me from eating though. ;)

Here is hoping next week goes a little better!

Alec and the girls

Mya recently had a birthday party.  A fun filled jammie/dress-up birthday party. Alec was the only boy at the birthday party and he rocked it with the gals. Lucky, lucky lucky boy. Good thing we brought the police dreamies- it was a confidence booster for him. He was ready for those girls.

The kiddos got to roast marshmallows too.  Alec could careless about eating them- he just wanted to play with the fire. He’s such a boy!

And my favorite picture of the day….

Too cute.

As always.

Last Beach Day?

On Sunday we gathered with the Todd family and Courtney, Noel and Leo for a day at the beach. It was the best beach day we have had yet this summer.  All the kids got along great, all the adults got along great, the weather was perfect and water warm.  Awesome.

It was super foggy when we got there but it burned off quickly.

And it was low-tide. Super for picking up all the fun creatures.

I think the pictures say it all. What a great day!

First Friday Art Walk

Friday night found us wandering around Portland for the First Friday Art Walk.  According to the website it is a “ free self-guided tour of local art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues on the First Friday of every month from 5-8 pm.  OUR MISSION is to open the doors of Portland's visual arts community by joining together and introducing a wider audience to the unique vitality of the artists and venues of Portland. Promoting interest with non-exclusivity and easy access, thereby strengthening the arts and community through diversity and celebration.”

I had resisted doing this in the past with Alec because I think art galleries and Alec mixed together could end up with me spending thousands of dollars on art that Alec has added his own personal touch to . Yikes.  The good news is that the walk was so much more than that. There were so many street vendors and small bands playing that make it so cool. Our family favorite was the African drums. Very cool. 

We took this opportunity to wander around town and check out the sites. Some big Library of Congress truck was in town. We checked that out too.  I am still not sure what the details are with this.

 

We had some dinner.

And did some shopping.

And chuckled at a sign….because, well, this is pretty funny.

While Erik walked in the restaurant to get a menu Alec stood outside and complained about the smell.  Guess Erik will be going to the Thirsty Pig sans the child and wife. Alec might not be a fan of the pig either…just like his momma.

It was getting late and a little chilly so we got Alec his first Starbucks hot chocolate.  Did you know you can order anything from them at ‘kids temperature’? Drinkable immediately. Very cool. (ha!)

And with that we left. Several hours in-town was enough culture to last us for a while. We wouldn’t want to get too cultured now would we?