Kickin' Off the Fall Season

As of yesterday, we hadn't even started school yet. So this guy literally kicked off the fall season for us with his first soccer practice in NYC.

This is his first club level soccer, and I could just die at how official it all is. He's so grown up. And say hello to the new team manager. I'm such a soccer mom. Sucker. Sucker soccer mom.

Good luck this season #7!

Football Stud

It's that time of year again. My little man just finished his second annual AJAX soccer camp.

This camp is so well done, and a tremendous souvenir experience from our time in Holland. It's hard work--five days from 9:00-5:00--but worth every sweaty moment.

Most of the days the camp facilitates mini tournaments for the individual players to compete, if they qualify. Last year, RS cheered on a good friend who made it to the finals, and he dreamed about doing it himself someday. Well, this year he did it! Twice! Two medals for my little guy.

RS is competitive, but more importantly he's all about the team. It really doesn't matter to him if he actually made the goal, as long as it was his team that made the goal. And he's just a happy player. Always smiling, never too serious. He's out there having fun, and so what if he still blows his mom kisses from the pitch while mid-play?!!? For these reasons, not the medals, he is truly my football stud.

Tournament time!

This year he did the camp with his two best friends (guy friends, since there's one very special gal pal in his class), rounding out his departure quite beautifully. A fine way to say goodbye.

Check this very short video out, and see what I mean about my son's team spirit. Love him.

My Boys Rock!

Last weekend, RS and DS proved they're no couch potatoes.

DS enjoyed a personal best running the Amsterdam half marathon, beating his Paris time by TEN minutes. 1:47!  Really incredible progress in just one year of running. We're all super proud of him.

Meanwhile, RS grabbed his football kit from this summer's AJAX camp, and participated in an intensive one-day clinic last weekend. This clinic is all business, no goofing around. RS was quite happy to see he had the same coach again, and that there was at least one furry newcomer. Proud of your commitment and enthusiasm RS!  You're my fancy feet.

AJAX Camp

This summer, RS participated in a very special football clinic.  The camp lasts one week and is run by Amsterdam's pro football club, Amsterdamsche Football Club Ajax (or simply, AJAX Amsterdam). I'm motivated to get out this post today, before RS participates in a one-day fall clinic tomorrow. :-)

The kids play on the sames pitches used by real AJAX players, and get to change in the official dressing rooms and eat in official lunch hall.  One of the mornings, they even had a chance to tour the arena where the professional team competes.

RS trained so hard, and learned so much.  His football skills improved exponentially. It was a tremendous week, and we, the parents, could feel the momentum building as the week went on. We're so proud of RS, and happy he had the opportunity to enjoy this souvenir Amsterdam experience. 

It was an experience made unforgettable because he was able to share it with a dear friend, who moved back to the U.S. a few weeks later.  We love and miss you W!!

Buds!

 

 

Worn OUT!

 

Nationaal Voetbalmuseum

Oh, the luck. A little birdie tipped us off to this gem, located just a short drive away from our beach cabin. The perfect answer to a rainy beach day and the perfect add to our Holland summer road trip: Nationaal Voetbalmuseum.

The memorabilia and stat corner were a little lost on the younger crowd, but they loved the skills zone and pretending to be a sports announcer.