Fall Soccer

It's another season of COVID-craziness, but at least one area of Eli's life has not been terribly upended. For the last several years he's played on a continuous soccer team, allowing for practices summer-spring with a full fall season and some tournaments in the spring. Last spring we ended in March, obviously, but this summer we picked right back up with tryouts. There was talk of limited games and limited spectatorship, but honestly it all worked out pretty similar to our regular season.

Our family (and most others) wore masks on the sidelines, and we spread out more than usual with our personal chairs, but the boys all played the whole outdoor season without masks or incidence of super-spreader activity. (I think one two players quarantined for a week of practices due to exposure, but that was it.)

The season went the way it usually does for Eli and his teammates: lots of practices and great work during games, but without many goals (and wins) to show for it. But the final weekend was an in-town tournament with three games leading to the finals.

Eli's team won two games and tied the third, so they advanced to the finals: a total welcomed shock to all of us! The final game was a great one where both teams fought hard, resulting in a tie. Because it was the finals, that meant they went to a shoot-out, and Eli was one of the kickers. Unfortunately, after many back-and-forth kicks, the boys lost. 

all grows up

 you are growing up.

that's something that obviously happens for all people, but it's different with you. when i've noticed over the years that your sister or brother are suddenly 'so big', it usually catches me by surprise because it seems to have happened without me noticing. maybe because i've not watched, helped and prayed over the process in the same way.

you meet milestones, just as they have, but in your own time which may or may not resemble theirs. the awesome byproduct of your pace is that i rarely find myself saying, "it went so fast - i just blinked and suddenly they were walking/talking/reading". 

as a 'seasoned' parent with two high schoolers, i am all too familiar with the bittersweet way kids rapidly grow up. so this pace of yours is one that makes your growth something that can be enjoyed thoroughly without sadness over missing a stage that ended prematurely.

this pace also rarely allows for you to take me by surprise, so when you do, I relish in it. this week you spent no less than ten minutes a few days in a row, meticulously brushing and 'fixing' your hair in a very grown up way that i've not seen from you before. thank you for taking me by surprise.

The Haircut

since she lost her hair during chemo, 5 years ago, we've only had a few tiny trims to the length of ruby's hair.   but recent weeks have found it falling into her cereal bowl, getting stuck in her collar, and even under her pencil as she writes and colors. i'm a long hair fan - mine hasn't been at my shoulders in over 20 years - but even in a ponytail, it was starting to get in ruby's way.

when i booked the appointment for thanksgiving week, i wasn't entirely sure of my plan, but 'short' was likely in the description. ruby sat like a champ as the hairdresser listened to what i was thinking; she barely even cracked a smile out of sheer intentional obedience. in the end, we ended up with bangs and an adorable bob, and ruby was able to donate just over 6 inches to an organization that makes (for free) wigs for kids without hair.

and i love it. 

ruby's first day back to school after the break, her teachers tell me that she was like a celebrity, with everyone complimenting her on her new haircut.