the boy | matching tracksuits

Boys’ Saturday

Saturday 19 February 2022 | 0 Comments

We started with an early soccer game -- 8:15. On the way there, we drove by his school at just about the time he'd be arriving for a normal school day.

Somehow, the boys lost their second consecutive game. I say "somehow" because for 90% of the game, they dominated. They kept the ball in their opponents' half of the field, and I'd say they had at least 25 shots on goal. Their opponents maybe had 6-8 shots on goal -- but one of them went in. That's the only difference, but that's the most important difference.

After the game, a little relaxation for the Boy, with a quote from a favorite movie of mine -- modified, somewhat.

Late morning was honey-do list time -- including getting some final details set for K's new workstation.

I'm not jealous of her computer, but I'm envious of that desk!

Afternoon -- bike ride. What else?

Hot dogs for dinner -- the Boy on the grill.

Untitled Composition

Friday 18 February 2022 | 0 Comments

Soccer Practice

Monday 14 February 2022 | 0 Comments

It's that time of year that includes "spring" in many things in the South (like "spring soccer season") yet has weather most assuredly not-spring-like. We arrived at soccer practice at 6:30, and it was 54 degrees. By the time we left ninety minutes later, the temperature had dropped 11 degrees.

"My big toe is numb!" the Boy declared.

The Climb

Sunday 13 February 2022 | 0 Comments

It's a bit steeper than it appears.

Spring 2022 Season Opener

Saturday 12 February 2022 | 0 Comments

We’re on a new team this year.

We were hoping for a change for how things went last season (i.e., not winning a single game and drawing only once).

Sadly, it was more of the same: 0-2.

New Soccer Season

Wednesday 09 February 2022 | 0 Comments

The sprint soccer season has begun — first practice was tonight. E is with a new team and a new coach. We’re playing on fields only 5 minutes away from our house rather than 20 minutes away.

E’s first impression: “The coach is good. And the kids are nice to me.”

I also had a good impression from what one of the parents said. Here’s hoping this season will be better than the last, which was not terrible, but certainly had some drawbacks.

Sleeping with the Sharks

Sunday 06 February 2022 | 0 Comments

E's Cub Scout pack had a special activity in Gatlinburg Tennessee this weekend: sleeping with the sharks at the aquarium. We went early Saturday afternoon and caught some amazing views on the way.

Once there, the Boy went go-carting, played some mini-golf, spent some time in an arcade, and tried mussels for the first time.

From there, we went to the aquarium. It was quite a unique opportunity for the kids, getting to spend a lot of time as the sole visitors in the whole complex.

This morning, we spent a little time in the aquarium before heading out for more mini-golf, some laser tag, and some lunch.

A busy weekend to say the least.

Playing Cards

Tuesday 01 February 2022 | 0 Comments

K has been teaching the Boy how to play tysiąc. He’s getting the idea, but in the end, he still prefers a good game of war.

Just like he played with Babcia:

Playing Cards

Pinewood Derby 2022

Saturday 29 January 2022 | 0 Comments

For this year's car, we decided to get a little silly.

"I can't believe we didn't make a single cut on the car this year!" was the Boy's refrain.

We drilled a couple of holes to put in some weight; we sanded a lot; and we painted a bit. However, not a single cut.

We haven't had a lot of success in the pinewood derby. I don't think the Boy has even placed in his den let alone the pack.

Still, we kept trying. Last year, we employed a number of tricks:

polishing the axels;
bending the axles to make the wheels point outward at the bottom to minimize friction;
mounting one front wheel high so that it didn't touch the track;
making sure we'd put the weight in the perfect location relative to the car's center of gravity.

None of that really helped.

I think this year we were both hopeful that if we didn't place in the actual race we might get some recognition for originality. After all, we entered a stick of butter.

"I can't believe we didn't make a single cut on the car this year!"