After the pool party we went to Henrietta’s Kitchen (Cambridge) for brunch. Each member of the family discovered a best they had ever had favorite dish. Maya and I found the Belgian waffles to be without equal. I was showered with Father’s Day gifts at the end of the meal and received several badly needed shirts, a compendium of soccer photographs from around the world, and tickets to attend a professional soccer match with the boys. After brunch we ventured out to explore Harvard square. The boys discovered the local chess masters and tested their rusty skills against them. Neither was victorious but both gave their opponents a run for the money.
Maya turned 6 years old today. The day has been chock full of activity. Carl’s soccer team finished second in their divsion and qualified for play-offs. This morning was the semi-finals where we faced Marblehead, the first place finisher in the Northern division. We played to a 0-0 tie and then a 0-0 overtime. We finally won the game in a penalty kick shootout. After the game we went to Rob’s house for an end of the season pool party. Maya is seen here taking a brief break from her aquatic activities.
After Maya’s party and Nicolai’s soccer game (his team won 2-0 and is headed to the Commissioner’s Cup tournament), we spent the evening at the Star Lane block party.
Nicolai has prepared a restaurant-style menu, which he is reading to Maya. Nicolai has given Maya and I (for her birthday and my father’s day) a present of breakfast in bed.
Nico and I had a boy’s night out this evening. We went to Michael’s for a nice Italian dinner. It is so much fun spending time with one child at a time. We talked about school, soccer, the value of sleep, AIDS, Star Wars, his project on Egypt, his favorite subject at school (science), his friends, and the quality of the marinara sauce (excellent). Kyle had an away soccer match and was taken by Jeanine and Maya.
Maya had her last soccer game of the season today and finished the game with a nice breakaway goal. The Panthers went undefeated and the kids made real improvements throughout the season. I enjoyed coaching immensely, but having now coached my wife and all three kids, I am prepared to hang up my whistle.
Good old bus 24 stops in front of the house to pick up precious cargo….. later in the day Kyle’s soccer team lost it’s first match in 18 games. Kyle had one goal but the team lost 3-2. The temperature dropped dramatically throughout the day and by kick-off it was positively cold (I had to leave the game to go purchase warm clothing – and mosquito repellent). Kyle played with full intensity for 90 minutes and he looked like he could have played another full game. It was a tough loss, but I was very proud of Kyle’s determination and leadership on the field.
Maya summed it all up with a single photograph. Pink-painted toenails offset by a generous coat of dirt and accented by a single white flower. Note to Mother (who is in Albany this evening): Yes, these feet were washed before insertion of child in bed.
