the calm before the storm

This weekend is going to be a bear.

8 a.m. soccer match for Mo
10 a.m. Relay for Life event for Mo's teacher
1 p.m. soccer match for Mo (in Goleta)
3:30 p.m. soccer match for KT
6:30 p.m. soccer match for KT
8 p.m. Cyrus de Mayo party

And, that's just Saturday.  There are more games on tap for Sunday!

Maybe someday I'll look back, my life a little slower and think -- wow, we were busy then.  But, for now, I'm going to grab a gulp of air and head into the weekend!

mo versus fitz

Mo has been playing soccer with a new team the last few months.

Today she tried some of her moves out on the Fitz.

Yellow card on the Yellow Lab in the 35th minute!

because #10 is the playmaker that's why

one on one

Over the last couple of years I have slowly implemented my plan (muh-ha-ha-ha) starting with getting my kids to watch soccer with me on television.

Now, I'm happy to report I am well into phase 2:  Molding a partner in crime to watch professional soccer games -- live.  

It's become our Mama and KT time to drive into L.A. to watch the Galaxy play.

I was a little nervous the first time as I know football games around the world can be a little "rough" and not necessarily somewhere you want to take a six-year old.

But, they have a lot right up KT's alley. We get there early and get her face painted.

She gets an airbrushed tattoo.  She makes signs.  

We take pictures with the mascot, the MLS cup trophy, spin the different wheels at the sponsors booths for tchotchkes.

Sometimes David Beckham is her favorite player.

Sometimes it's Landon Donovan.

We get dirty nachos and an Icee.

Just love that happy face.

summer o' football

Little Wickie reaction upon seeing players' kids on the field after the championship game this weekend.

Mo:  Ooo!  Sparkly!

KT:  I wish I could be there with all that confetti.

Not "I wish I could meet Fernando Torres," or "I wish I could be at the final Euro Cup game."

I suppose it's kind of good thing, throwing metallic confetti on them is way more do-able than meeting Fernando Torres or attending a final Euro Cup game.

Next up: Olympic soccer and other Olympic sporting events.

What are you watching with your kids this summer?

man crush

Katie and I watched our team win the championship last night.

Katie: Which one is your favorite player?

Me: I'm going to have to go with Todd Dunivant.

Katie: How come? Isn't Landon Donovan the best player?

Me: Umm... well Dunivant is dependable honey.

Katie: How are you dependable playing soccer?

I then spent the next 5 minutes defending my choice, e.g., he is a solid defender, he has good positioning, etc. all while being peppered by my questioning daughter who was clearly skeptical of my decision.

Real reason: While he is dependable on the pitch, he's smart (Stanford grad), he's a professional athlete (my husband will make a joke here because he plays soccer), oh, and he's easy on the eyes...

futbol & four-year-olds

Confession: I watch soccer on Spanish stations.

So you have to understand it's pretty darn exciting when soccer is actually on English-speaking stations -- and in HD to boot.

Yes people, I'm talking about the World Cup.

What I'm loving perhaps even more is watching with my girls.

Each match we get our globe out and find the countries who are squaring off.

We see how far each is from the U.S. and because I'm talking with Kaitlyn the conversation usually digresses into how long the plane flight would be to each country, how hot it is there right now, if they are in the same/different season we are in, how many people live in the country, etc.

Focus girl!

I'm trying to make this marginally educational -- the point is to watch soccer!

Here are some Katie-isms while watching World Cup soccer (and just think we're only in group play right now):

- "Mama, can we watch Butter Cup soccer together?"

- "What is that buzzing, why does it sound like bees?" (referring to the loud vuvuzelas you incessantly hear)

- "Which team has more players?"

- "Don't score white team!"

- "I think we should root for Germany because it's closer to us (than Serbia)."

And btw, the score should have been 3-2.

futbol

Mommy & Katie's cleats

Katie played soccer for the first time today.

It rained, so she didn't have a chance to wear her new cleats as they played inside instead.

(Should have bought her some Sambas!)

She has been wanting to sign up for soccer for some time now.

You'd think I wouldn't have hesitated.

But, I did.

I wanted to make sure she wasn't too young, the program she was the best fit for her, etc. so she would be set up to have the most positive experience possible.

Because deep down inside I want her to love soccer like I do.

I usually try to get her excited about whatever activity she's going to start.

This time, I found myself being cautious, trying not to build it up too much in the weeks leading up to the first day.

Yes, her penny is on upside down (Papa).

She ended up really liking it.

Basically she just ran back and forth and sometimes in circles trying to kick the ball.

Just like mom does.