Today I participated in a charity soccer tournament in Ipswich with my former Concord United Over 40 teammates. The temperature was well above 90 and we played a total of four 35 minute games. The first three were back to back and we only had one sub. We tied the first game 1-1 and won the second 1-0. During the third game we were losing 2-0 with 15 minutes left to play. I spent most of the day as a defensive midfielder but at this point moved to the front line where I scored a very pretty diving header within a few minutes. The team rallied around this goal and we scored another two in quick succession to win the game and advance to the semi-finals. By the time we played our final match we were all exhausted and in my case sporting a pretty nasty blister. We did our best but were defeated by a younger and more skilled team. Proceeds of the tournament went to a college fund for the daughter of an Ipswich soccer player who died.
We paused at this self-serve, honor system book store. Very reasonably priced books are laid out on a table, and if you want one, you simply put the marked price into a lockbox on the table. What a great concept.
Jeanine took the train into Cambridge, where she met me at work (her first visit to my office since I started at Sonos). With all three kids scattered to the winds, we enjoyed a date night, which started with dinner at Arabian restaurant Oleana. Later, we walked about Harvard Square, which always offers a lot to take in.
This evening Kyle clipped a curb and popped one of the tires on the van while avoiding another car in the very chaotic Route 2 rotary. Just last weekend we entered into the AAA teenage driver contract with him which spells our parent and teenager responsibilities regarding use of the family car. Tire damage is addressed and Kyle will pay the $150 repair bill. A painful lesson but better than a collision for which we are thankful.
The undisputed champion catcher was Jamie, who was virtually indistractable and had a near perfect record. He may, consequently, be the first to throw up.
From my perspective, the winning teams had the best tossers. A good toss required very little repositioning by the catcher. Dave received my vote for best tosser.
This evening Kyle had a number of his friends over to the house to hang out. How do 6 teenage boys entertain themselves? One activity involved tossing mini-marshmallows across the kitchen and catching them with your mouth. Tossers and catchers alternated while attempting to disorient or distract their opponents.
Maya just got had her braces removed and shows off her very nice and straight teeth. As I understand it she will need to wear them again in a few years when all of her permanent teeth come in. Until then we will all enjoy her unobstructed smile.
This evening we had Kyle’s family birthday celebration. Maya was largely responsible for baking the chocolate peanut butter pie that Kyle requested. Each year I do a birthday interview with each child. This year, Kyle’s interview was done by his friends Dave and Jamie who did a far more entertaining and compelling interview than I ever could have.
This evening Kyle was the grill master and prepared some of the best chicken I have ever tasted. His progress was somewhat hampered by this frog which seemed to have an unnatural attraction to the igniter switch on the grill. We surmised that it might have to do with the similar coloration. I have never seen such a frog before and will have to study our field guide to see if we can identify it.
As soon as the sun is up, Jeanine’s top priority after being away from home for almost a month is to check on her garden. She returns with a big smile and a handful of string beans.
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