Soccer and piano photos

Last night, I took Clair with me to a baby shower at my bosses' house in Bethesda.

They have a piano and she loved it. I think she is born to play (unlike her mother, who has no musical ability whatsoever).

OK, she really only plunked around on it, like any 18-month-old would do. But a Momma can dream, can't she?

Also last night, Lester held the Gray Team's second soccer practice. I missed it because I had to go to the shower. Hugo's Dad, Geoff, took pictures (thankfully!) This practice looks like a resounding success!

Look, the kids are orderly! (Cary's not doing what he's supposed to be doing, but what else is new?)

Atticus (first kid on the left) finally joined us! Little Milly was absent last night, and Rocco has yet to make an appearance.

Elle actually scored a goal!

Elle looks so happy here! Look at her little braids flying up in the air!

And Dean looks ready to take on the soccer world.

I love this picture of my boy. He looks like such a big, serious kid.

Good Tuesday night all around!

Soccer cuteness/hilarity

The boys started a soccer clinic for 3-year-olds last night! Hilarity!

They had their shin guards, their water bottles, their athletic shorts and sneakers and they were so excited. Seriously, they've been asking every day for a week, "Is it soccer day yet?"

At the soccer season's opening event - a pancake breakfast for families - Lester agreed to be the coach of the boys' team, when the league administrators begged mentioned that they needed a few more parents to come forward and take on the task. This was hysterical to me because Lester has never played soccer and knows nothing about it. But the admins assured him that really, with 3-year-olds, no knowledge is necessary. "Patience," they told him, "is really all you need."

Last night, we witnessed the truth of that. Lester did a truly wonderful job, truly, I was impressed! But wrangling eight keyed-up 3-year-olds on an open field? Not a job for the faint of heart.

Four adults to 7 children? Yeah, that's about right.

Look how coach-like my sweetie looks!

 My friend Stacey and I sat on the sidelines (Hugo is on the same team!) and it was great to get a chance to just sit and do nothing, on a beautiful fall evening, while the kids were being entertained. At first, Clair kept running onto the field, desperate to be a part of whatever her brothers are doing at all times. But once I gave in and let her play with my iPhone (judgers, shut it up!) she was content to sit on my lap and swipe and poke away. Note to self: Don't EVER forget phone.

Hey Dean, this is soccer, not football.

All Cary and Dean really wanted to do was take water breaks.

There's Hugo! And Dean, running AWAY from the action.

Mostly, though, it was super cute watching the kids run and do "drills," and try their hardest to listen.

This is going to be a super-fun fall, watching them "play games" every Saturday and practice every Tuesday from now to November. Can't wait to witness all the hilarity!

Sidenote: The other father in the gray shirt,Francis? He played soccer all his life, including in college, and has two professional-soccer-playing brothers. He also has twins, a girl and a boy who were in the boys' class last year, Miles and Isla. Best thing my super-smart hubby did yesterday: Asked Francis to be his assistant coach! Ch-ching!