Gum

"Picture of my cousins running to my gum ball machine"



And maybe proof that were not raising an artist.

Gooooals!

Soccer is well underway and what Marco lacks in agility and grace, he makes up for in speed and wicked strong legs.  If he can get there and get square, he kicks it.  Far.

Last week, we saw the first indicator that maybe he's not too lazy for soccer after all.  He scored two goals - one from midfield.  He insists on telling people that he scored three.  I'm encouraging him not to show off about the one in the opponent's goal.

Contrary to these photos, things are looking up on the soccer front.

Giant Fans

Yes, we're still Giants fans.

Stricken with guilt about not taking Marco to a Giants game this season, I panicked and booked one for two nights before school started.  Or, so I thought.

It ended up being the week after school started, so we trekked to the City with a very tired fan ready to see the "Bomb" pitch.  It was a great game with a near no-hitter and two Posey homeruns. 

Giants game 2014?  Check!

Here's the proof:

The Falcons

In the wake of starting school - poof - it's soccer season!  Marco is playing his first year of real soccer with eight other boys from a class (and a few others), collectively known as The Falcons.  

I told him I'd get him soccer shoes and he started panting with excitement.  He's turning into a little Imelda Marcos of sports footwear.  His request?  The brightest pair I could find and basketball socks to match.

Sure, I'm biased, but he had a nice little hustle at his first practice!  On the way home, he reordered his favorite sports: basketball, soccer, baseball, golf, tennis.  Jeff took it in stride.  

And here's the proof:

1st Grade

Sigh.

At his checkup, Marco's Doctor asked him if he was ready for first grade.  His answer was a 5-minute dissertation on why he likes school, why he's good at math, how he practices math, how he catches fish on his Papa's boat, why he's good at bike riding and more.  I told her our main concern was his shyness.

I don't know how much longer we get to measure our child by stats, so here goes:
83% for weight, 74% for height, teeth: few.

(photo credit and stand-in fairy: Grandma Cecchin)