Most Improved Shark

Our {Alekzander's} first season of soccer is complete!

From March to May,

he and his team played in temperatures from 40 degrees to 80 degrees.

Goals were scored against them,

scores were miscalculated by 9 out of 11 Sharks most games,

but no one ever gave up.

This group of U8 players had first class sportsmanship

and an amazing coach who taught them well,

and played them equally and fairly.

Alekzander played all positions and claimed to love being goalie,

although he is fast, fast, fast.

While "shark like" aggression on the field is not natural for him,

Alekzander played hard and played proud.

He helped lead cheers on the sidelines :: "Go Blue Sharks!"

and mastered throw-ins and drop-kicks.

Moms {me} may have lost their voices,

brothers {Anderson} may have wandered on the fields,

and dads {Andrew} may have picked up a new skill set/new sports knowledge.

We also acquired two Size 3 soccer balls, smelly shin guards,

and a blue and black striped jersey.

What's more, we learned lessons about soccer

and got to see Alekzander interact with new friends

and respond to the directions of another adult.

Last night, Alekzander was named "Most Improved Player" 

at the post-practice pizza party,

and was commended for absorbing all of Coach's teaching,

trying all of the positions, and perfecting his spacing on the field.

We are so proud of him for trying, 

and succeeding at, his first team sport.

While it doesn't matter what sport he chooses to play in the future,

for this season, I was proud to be a soccer mom.

A Whim and a Win

Andrew is a great expectation manager, 

but a trip Uptown to try to get scalped tickets

for Alekzander's first Panthers' game

exceeded all expectations.

On a whim, Andrew decided to 

try to take Alekzander 

to the Panthers - Saints game.

It was a perfect storm of wet weather,

the Saints in town with a losing record,

an injured Drew Brees,

and a risk-taking, negotiating Daddy ...

and the big boys gained entrance

to the Panthers game for a fraction

of the face value on the tickets

and had awesome seats right in the end zone.

 Though the game was loud and a little overwhelming,

Alekzander enjoyed his first NFL game

and was especially happy to report the Panthers' win!

Panthers Fans

Track Star

Pre-Race Line-Up              ::            Untimed 50M Halfway

 Untimed 50M Finish!

Since Alekzander has been an attendee since he was 4 months old,

he is definitely at home at a track meet.

As a competitor, however, he was a little unsure.

But with Mommy and Daddy cheering at the finish line

and the promise of {a bite of} a protein bar 'treat',

he ran fast, he ran straight, and he finished both races!

Daddy ran two races {fast!} as well 

and the next meet date is already on the calendar.

Mommy might need more than a bite of a protein bar

to resurrect my inner track star,

but with a cute four year old cheering at the finish line, 

there could be three Swistaks on the track next time!

Kids 100M 

 Practicing his approach into the "sand jump pit"

{He probably ran more than 150M running and jumping!}

Proud boy sporting his finisher ribbons at

Run for your Life Summer Track Series

Uncle Ryan's Backyard

Checking out the baseball game {and rescue vehicles?}

with Uncle Ryan during the Charlotte Knights' home opener.

{Love this for so many reasons!}

Flag Football in the Panthers' House

Watching Uncle Ryan's flag football game 

on the Panthers' practice field 

Never too little for football!

 A super serious Panthers' fan

 ATB love in the Panthers' stadium

Happy kid!

Knights Uptown

Courtesy of ATB and Uncle Ryan,

from 11 stories up, 

we were able to be part of Charlotte history

and witness the first Charlotte Knights game 

played in the new BB&T stadium uptown.

{Tickets were sold out months before!}

From our perch we got to hear the national anthem,

and collective Queen city cheers, 

and we got to see the first pitch thrown out

as well as see the Knights hit the first home run in their new home. 

Future Olympian

Perhaps this little guy will be a future hockey player

in the 2034 Olympics.

He does love watching the hockey action on TV.

And happens to look adorable just wearing brother's winter hat and an Olympic diaper!

 

Gold medal cutie

Tears for Steelers

The faces of a Steelers fan this season ...

Maybe next year, Steelers!

Bobcats Suite Life

The Bobcats introduced the future color scheme 

tonight in preparation of the switch to the Hornets,

and Alekzander fully embraced the new look

with his purple and white scarf.

We love to cheer for the home team,

so whatever color or team name

Charlotte ends up with, 

we will be loyal fans.

Uncle Ryan knows how to spoil us.

We got invited to his company's suite

for the Bobcats vs. Knicks game.

Complete with food, drinks, great seats,

and a personal visit from Rufus.

it was a big {loud} night for us!

The Bobcats did not win, 

but with an almost 4 month old 

and an almost 4 year old,

there were better {cuter} things to watch than basketball.

Alekzander was overwhelmed but entertained, and

Anderson was indifferent except when it came to ATB.

He loves her already for sure!

And we love any time that we get to spend with her and Uncle Ryan.

Spinning Slingshot

 Love this joy-filled face!

Spinning and spinning and spinning.

Again mommy, again!

The spinning luckily occurred after playing with the slingshot.  

I was hyper-focused on safety

and would not have allowed a dizzy slinger anywhere near Anderson!

I am ill-prepared for this part of parenting ... 

the dangerous, you might accidentally shoot your brother's eye out with an acorn part.  

But somehow Alekzander got his hands on this gem at Mia's house 

and somehow it made its way into our car ... 

because I guess every little boy needs a slingshot.

  

Despite the implied danger coupled with my cautiousness,

and multiple warnings of 

"Please watch where you are aiming; 

make sure you aim at the tree only..."

I was pretty darn proud. 

Step 1 :: Collect Acorns

Step 2 :: Load Slingshot

Step 3 :: Aim Carefully

Step 4 :: Stretch

Step 5 :: Release

Step 6 :: Repeat!