Happy Chanukah!

Chag Sameach!

U8 Team Green

Coaching U8 soccer (with world's best co-coach, CCC) is one of my absolute favorites. This particular group of not especially creatively named players - I think we probably ended on Green Chilis since they had been the Red Chilis the two previous times - was such a pleasure to coach. They progressed and developed a ton as individuals as well as in their work as a team, playing together. It really is a delight getting to hang with these kiddos. I'm a lucky duck.

Happy Halloween!

Zara was a quarkbeast (see the very excellent The Last Dragonslayer series by Jasper Fforde if you want more background info) and Amity was Murray, a little bat with a very big heart from Cynthia Rylant's Gooseberry Park (and it's sequel). Both kids went literary, and both suggest you read the respective books that inspired their costumes.

Poke-e-nose with the MMs

We spent a marvelous long weekend in the Poconos with our dearest friends the MMs. The older 3 in this picture have been friends since they were 3, 1 and 1 and the youngest member doesn't remember life without the other three. Sadly, however, she also doesn't remember how wonderful it was to have these lovely Canadians as our neighbors for a good 4 years. But we keep the dream alive and reunite every so often, and all is right with the world when we do.

First Day of School: 1st and 6th Grades

Ready for another fabulous school year. Also, for the first time in 3 years, no one is new at school anymore!

Hiking Hightop

Some kids were at camp. Their grown ups, one younger sister, and 2 dogs went hiking. It was lovely.

Camp Hidden Meadows, Year 4

We dropped Zara in the wilds of WV for another fun 2 weeks at Camp Hidden Meadows. Next year, Amity's going, too!

Nick!

Z and A got to spend some quality time with their cousin Nick. Much fun was had by all, culminating in Nick and Auntie Gabi's first music festival (Saline Celtic). Not Auntie Gabi's first music festival, though...

Happy 11th Birthday, Z!

Happy Birthday, Zebra girl! May your next year be even better!

Zooming through the last days of 10

Zara's turning 11 tomorrow. Here she is zooming around on her birthday present - bike with gears (totes essential here in C'ville).

Last Day of School

And, with that, you are looking at graduates of Kindergarten and 5th grade. If one can be said to do such a thing.

Busking for BRIMS

BRIMS is taking a trip to Ireland, and fund raising to help support it at any opportunity. Here they are busking on the mall, and enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

Happy 6th Birthday, Amity!

Amity celebrated 6 years on the planet with a swimming pool party. Here she is showing her age and posing with her buddies at the pool.

New Year's Hike

We've fallen somewhat sideways into the tradition of a New Year's day hike, and this year we were joined by the delightful Miller family. Not pictured here are the grown ups and puppies (all were in attendance) but you do get to see 4 adorable matrushka Miller/Craigs! (Photo credit to the incomparable Beth Miller)