Maya’s soccer team wrapped up their season this morning (except for one makeup game). They needed a win or tie to finish first in their division. The match was very exciting and the girls fought back from a 1-0 deficit to tie the match. Maya made a long run from her defensive position and served a perfect cross for the goal. Despite a rather average start to the season, Maya showed some real improvment by the end and despite her small stature has learned to use her foot skills and speed to advantage.

After dinner, we made an ice cream run. The four amigos made short work of the massive portions that are the hallmark of Kimball Farm.

As we arrived at home, the girls were decorating cupcakes, and in less than 10 seconds, everyone was working on their own canine masterpiece.

This morning I dropped Nicolai, Mario, and Rory off at the Science Museum on my way into work. Here Nicolai attempts to bring the ends of two L shaped sticks together while looking through a prism which swaps right eye view for left. Quite an amusing challenge for one and all. I picked them up after work and each had to cite 15 science facts they had learned during the day before I would take them home. Fortuantely they were up to the challenge.

My nieces are being as cute as can be. I miss having toddlers underfoot and am soaking up as much of them as I can.

My parents, both in their eighties now, remain passionate about dancing and each other. They have been since the evening they first met. This photo was taken a few weeks ago in what used to be my bedroom which they have since converted into a dance studio and media library. Are these the same people that try to tell me I am getting too old for soccer?

This evening, we celebrated near birthdays (Maya, Mario, Rory, Nico)on the sun porch. Joining us for the last few days have been my parents, who drove in from Schenectady, where they were recently featured on the front page of the local paper for fifty years of dancing together (and still going strong). The story and link to a video can be found here.

My sister-in-law Marie heads off to UMass to review clinical trials of the stent her startup medical company is seeking to bring to market. Little doubt where her children acquired their good looks and brains. My brother Mark may have had something to do with it as well.

While Kyle and Nico were in school and I was at work, everyone else went to the beach where Maya and Mario found this decapitated head, which bore a strong resemblance to Rory.

Maya is delighted to take on the role of big sister/mother in training. She has been extraordinarily helpful and seems to be enjoying every moment with her younger cousins.

Both girls are drawn to Nala who has been very accommodating of their attention.

This is older sister, Sophia. She has the most beautiful eyes and a bright personality to match. We engage in long conversations on topics of great importance such as the correct color of a banana. The more softly I speak to her the more exaggerated her facial expressions become. A future in acting will be one of many options she has in front of her.

Yesterday I focused on the boys. Today we turn our attention to the girls. This is the youngest cousin, Rose. She is an adorable little force to be reckoned with. Her parents describe her as willful. Her teachers describe her as smart but lacking a single ladylike bone in her body. She has decided I am similar enough to my brother in appearance and sound to warrant calling me papa. I am obliged to follow all orders I receive from her.

Rory, Mario, and I watched as Nicolai’s soccer team closed their season with a 1-1 tie. We had many opportunities to secure the win, but each slipped away. After the game, the team posed for photos.