To Grandma and Grandpa

Sarah drew up a picture for Grandma

Sarah Proudly Holding Her Monkey Drawing

Close-Up of Sarah's Monkey Drawing

Sarah then wanted to record a video message to Grandpa (with a few added words from Stephen, too):

Soccer

Sarah and Stephen have started playing soccer in the Itty Bitty division of the Phoenix Parks and Recreation, age group 3-5. They are on the same team, probably one of the few times that this will be possible.

They are definitely my kids. While the soccer games are going on, Sarah is on the field, twirling around and dancing and not paying any attention whatsoever to the ball. Mama reports that Stephen was running around and playing a separate game of tag with another 3-year-old, similarly ignoring the game.

I remember playing soccer in high school gym class and proudly telling a friend when it was over that I had never even touched the ball with my foot or otherwise.

Sometimes I wonder what life would have been like had I been exposed to more sports at an earlier age. Maybe this soccer experience by the kids is giving some insight into that.

Father Daughter

Papa and Sarah at Father Daughter Dance

Sarah 5th Birthday Opens Gifts

Thanks To Grandma And Grandpa For The Gifts!

Sarah's New Word

... is "ginormous". She says "everyone" uses it, and uses it to describe anything big.

A Place For Pirates

The scene: A park in NY state wine country, next to an ice cream stand:

Sarah (talking in low voice): Papa - can I ask you something in private?

Papa: Sure!

Sarah (low voice): Is this a place where pirates come?

Papa: I don't know ... Why?

Sarah (low voice): Because I saw some people wearing one of those things like a pirate. (moves hand over head to suggest a headwrap)

Later, we go over to the headwrap-wearing biker guy.

Papa: My daughter asked me if this was a place where pirates come, since she saw people wearing pirate-like clothes.

Sarah (eyes wide, to biker): Not you! Not you!

Sarah Talking To Really Nice Biker Guy, Who Was Taking A Picture
Of Stephen's Ice Cream Face To Send To His Sister

Stephen's Ice Cream Face

First Day Of School!

Both kids were ready for school and wearing their backpacks one hour early.

Sarah and Stephen came down the stairs, smiling.

Sarah: I'm so excited!

Stephen: I so excited!

Outside The School Before We Walked In

We took them in and sat with them for breakfast.

A 3rd-grade girl sat down by us at the table and struck up conversation, assuring us that she had had Stephen's teacher previously and that she was "really nice." (All of the kids that we saw seemed happy, well-behaved, and having fun.)

At Breakfast. Stephen Looking A Bit Tired.
Girl Was Across The Table

When the time came to go with their teachers, both separated well. The teacher took Stephen by the hand, and he looked up at her with big, trusting eyes. Sarah was biting her nails and looked nervous, even as excited as she was. Nobody cried, not even Mama (surprising).

Sarah Nibbling Her Nails

After school:

Papa: Stephen, what did you do today at school?

Stephen: I play, and play, and play, and play ... And they give us DINNER!

Mama: What did you eat?

Stephen: Two cookies. Two cookies, and cheese.