There is starting to be a hint of fall in the air.

Kyle had a great game today. His team beat a tough opponent 4-1 (the same team beat them last season). Here, Kyle get’s a shot off between two defenders. His midfield play was excellent and he directly set up two of the goals. My team won it’s match decisively with a 6-1 victory.

Nico’s coach looks on as he tackles the ball.

Later in the day Nicolai plays his season opener primarily at center midfield. He set up and got the assist for both of his teams goals. Unfortunately it was not enough to win and they lost the match 4-2. Notice the angle of his crutches. In this photo he has just made a radical change in direction and has raked the ball to carry it with him. I was standing near the opposing goalie and could here him call for “triple teaming” whenever Nico came in range. The defense would collapse on Nico and he would lay the ball off to an open forward who could attack the net undefended.

Wouldn’t be a real parade without an antique fire truck.

“Does your dragon bite?”

Here is the “float” from Maya’s music school. Although everything is scaled down, Concord throws a great parade.

This morning was the Concord Fun Festival in which Maya and Lydia marched in the all kazoo band with signs publicizing the Concord Conservatory of Music. Here they warm up before the parade.

This evening was the neighborhood block party which Jeanine has helped organize for two years now. Because I had to pick up Kyle from soccer practice I did not arrive till dusk and it was very difficult to shoot with available light. We set up Nicolai’s PA system and several of the neighborhood kids entertained us with Karaoke singing.

A quiet moment of reflection. 

Maya wore a dress to school today. She is starting to look very grown up to me.

Today was the first day of school for Maya and Nicolai. Maya, who will be in second grade this year, chose to ride her bicycle trailer to school with her mother instead of taking the bus.

Kyle’s first game of the fall season resulted in a 0-0 tie. Kyle has been working all summer on some new moves and he put them to good use in the game schooling several of his opponents.

Sophia and her loving brother.