Orange Slices & Soccer Balls

You chose #7, because your best friend S is 7.

Dear Em,
I can't believe another soccer season has already come to an end. We were so blessed this year. You had the most incredible coach. He was so positive & encouraging. At each break in action, he always took a moment to highlight the good that each player had done. His hand was always outstretched for a high five.

You had a small team of only five players (of which you were the youngest), but you guys were great. You got along really well, encouraged each other, & worked together. Daddy & I really enjoyed watching you all while we got to know other families from our community.

As for you, you had fun & that's what is truly important. We're pretty positive we will not be seeing you play soccer in the Olympics & probably not even in high school. While you ran all over the field, you mostly ran after your teammates, smiling as you went along. You had a few breakaway moments, but you mostly avoided the ball completely. In fact, quite a few times it landed right in front of you & you jumped away from it.

It was perplexing for Daddy & I to watch. When you practice with us in the yard, you are aggressive at taking the ball away from us & maneuvering it toward your goal. When you play on a field with your peers, your competitive nature disappears. You're mostly happy to be running around alongside your team & eating orange slices on the sidelines.

While you didn't make much contact with the soccer ball at age 4, we're happy with what we did gain from soccer this year. We got to spend time outside during the most beautiful time of year in New England. We got to spend time as a family, & because we got up & out before we normally would have, we were able to fit in other fun adventures (like the Umbrella Factory). You got to learn more about being on a team, & I think there are important lessons in that for an only child. You also got to spend time playing with other kids from our community. Daddy & I work & you go to school outside of our community. I can't tell you how nice it was to meet kids (& their families) that are going to the school you will be going to next year. It makes my heart happy that you will know a few adorable friends already when you enter the halls of your elementary school for the very first time.

We're hoping to try soccer again next year, but not because we're hoping to mold you into a soccer star (although, we're kind of hoping you won't be afraid of the ball next year). As long as you continue to go out onto the field & try your best, as long as you continue to make friends, as long as you are smiling, as long as you're still having fun...well, then you'll see Daddy & I on the sidelines cheering you on.

I love you so,
Mommy

P.S. Also see the end of soccer last year.

Recipe for a perfect day

Dear Em,
Things have been busy. You're back in school and work has been hectic for both Daddy & I. On top of that, you're participating in soccer, swim, & gymnastics this fall. I signed you up for everything & thought, "no problem, we got this." But as we were trying to rush you out the door (lately, we always seem to be rushing, with no time to just see where the day takes us) for soccer practice the other night, you looked at me with the saddest eyes & asked me, "Mommy, when do I get to just play?" It was at that moment that I realized I may have overextended our family.

This weekend, Daddy & I wanted a weekend for just the three of us. I can't really remember the last time we had a full weekend just the three of us. You had soccer on Saturday morning, but we decided we would spend the rest of the day doing some of our favorite things...just Daddy, you, & me. Em, it was truly a perfect day. We had...

Sunshine & Soccer:

The weather reports threatened rain, but it was a gorgeous day to play soccer. It is a beautiful thing to watch you when you're trying your very best.

We changed you out of your soccer gear & headed straight over to the...

Umbrella Factory:

It's become one of our favorite after soccer activities. I love being welcomed into the beautiful gardens.

Ever my little budding photographer, you asked to borrow Daddy's phone so you could snap some photos.

You took this photo...

...and this one (see the little navy croc?)...

...and this one (also complete with a little croc)...

...and this one.

We headed past the gardens to check out the baby ducklings & chickens & goats.

I think Daddy's favorite part of the Umbrella Factory is the bamboo forest, which you proudly led us through.

Getting a little hungry, we said goodbye to the fun of the Umbrella Factory & headed to our next adventure...

Watch Hill:

I don't think I've ever been to Watch Hill during the peak summer season. It's always such perfection in the late spring and early fall. With no crowds to fight, it always feels like it's our little secret & our little spot (remember our fun adventure two years ago?). We stopped at Bay Street Deli for chowder, sandwiches, & a donut for you (not the healthiest option, but we went with it).

We headed over the giant dune to return to one of my very favorite beaches.

We didn't bring your bathing suit, but let you head straight to the water anyways. Then we stood back & let you be you. The expression on your face was pure joy, and it made my heart so happy. I am so dazzled by you, little girl.

You were soaked & freezing, & we changed you into the jean jacket & leggings you were wearing earlier. Daddy & I laughed at the hodgepodge outfit we put together. You & Daddy played tag in the sand. God, I love watching the two of you together.

You wrote "I love Mommy" & "I love Daddy" in the sand (love is one of the few words you can spell by yourself without having to sound it out, & I LOVE that) before we headed back over the giant dune & off the beach.

We watched ominous clouds roll in as you gave us performances in the gazebo.

Trying to beat the rain, we got into our car. Your eyes looked so heavy as we drove to our next destination...

The Grocery Store

We don't often go to the grocery store as a family, but we have so much fun when we do. We give you the scanner, & you ensure that everything is scanned before we place it in our bags in the cart.

After a job well done scanning, we surprised you as we pulled into...

Lickety Splits

Yes I know, we had already fed you a donut. We're not usually so committed to hopping you up full of sugar, but Lickety Splits will be closing for the winter soon. Ice cream just seemed like the right thing to do on our perfect day.

The rain started to come down pretty soon after we got home. I smiled, thankful for the sunshine we had enjoyed that day & ready to spend some inside family time playing...

Wii Party

Daddy made us the most perfect grill cheeses (I know, it was a really healthy eating day). We ate dinner & then snuggled in for...

Movie Night

You were so tired after the movie, you told Daddy you might fall asleep while the two of you read your bedtime books. I smiled. It felt so great to be just you & me & Daddy that day. It felt so good to enjoy the sunshine & outdoors & the salty air of Rhode Island. It was such a perfect day, a day I wish I could bottle up & save for always. Not every day is perfect (& believe me the day still had some less than perfect moments), but I'm so thankful for the precious moments we get to share together.

I love you so,

Mommy