More Soccer!

IMG_7500, originally uploaded by flamingobear.

Check it out! We had two soccer games yesterday, and they both went great! The highlight of the day was Oakley's breakout performance... You can see her leading a train here, as she did much of the day.

While the exact number of goals is unknown (let's just say the hats flew), the coolest play was late in the game. Oakley carried the ball most of the way and the hit a crossing pass that Lillian was able to finish off... sweet assist...

"Ask your father"

Yes, that's right. We've had our first major question that was referred to me.

Victoria's Secret sends stuff to our house. On this occasion, it's a gift card, sent to me, celebrating my birthday. To answer your obvious questions, "No, I don't wear anything from VS." And, "No, it's not my birthday."

The card said something to the effect of, "Get something sexy, Angel."

Note for parents of young children: When your children learn to read, you have to pay attention to the things you leave on the counter.

So, Aspen looked at the counter, picked up the card, and said to Jenn, "Mommy, what does sexy mean?"

Jenn deftly slid the card under a pile of other mail and said, "Ask your father."

Well, to this point, Aspen hasn't remembered to ask. Do any of you have thoughts about the right answer to the question?

"Yeah, you did."

Lindy and I are hanging out tonight (Wednesday's are church night for Aspen, Oakley, and Jenn). We spent much of the night outside doing various things including playing, swinging, kicking balls, and chasing bugs.

We finished up and Lindy asked me to carry her in. I picked her up and she told me she wanted her juice.

Tim: Give me a kiss.
Lindy: (Kiss)
Tim: I had fun with you tonight.
Lindy: Yeah, you did.

The final product...

IMG_7474, originally uploaded by flamingobear.

And for those of you who insist on seeing the final product, here it is. No, I haven't figured out how to use the shutter without line of sight access to the camera. No, I don't know what the point is if you can see the shutter button in the pictures...

New Photo Stuff

IMG_7479, originally uploaded by flamingobear.

OK, so I got a new flash and a remote shutter button for the camera. The remote shutter had sat unused on the window sill for about 3 weeks. Well, its purpose came to fruition today when we had to create a family picture for Oakley's class. I read the instructions and set it up... I even tested it ahead of time. And when its time came, it, um, well, seriously, I swear I tested it beforehand...

Question: Why does Jenn seem so happy?

Attitude

IMG_7453, originally uploaded by flamingobear.

Check out this face... we were shooting some pictures for fun and I was trying to get Aspen to be silly... I think it's pretty funny.

"Free At Last"

OK, so it's not really that important, but still... the brutally hot weather has finally come to an end. The average temperature during August was really just under 100, and it was the worst month I can remember in Nashville by far. But it is over, and we are on to the fun of playing soccer.

For the first time, though, a soccer post is going to be all about someone other than Aspen. Oakley is playing ball for the first time this fall and she's doing great. We're two practices and two games into the season as of today. And Oakley is two goals into the season as well. Oakley pounded a couple home today and displayed a deftness with the ball that legitimately surprised both Jenn and me. It was excellent.

So, congrats to Oakley and the Volcanoes for their great start to the soccer season.

"Butter?"

So, I had some calm time with Aspen and Lindy today (Oakley and Jenn were at a birthday party). Aspen said she wanted to do something with me, and she wanted to be helpful. I said, "OK, I need to make your lunch pretty soon. Do you want to make your lunch?"

Aspen said she did, and so we were off. We made Lindy's lunch, and then we started on Aspen's.

I was trying to get Aspen to get a plate...

Tim: Aspen, what do you need for any meal?
Aspen: Um.... butter?

She was, well, pretty much right. Papa would be so proud.

Women!

IMG_7356, originally uploaded by flamingobear.

When I tell people that I'm destined to be surrounded by women, they occasionally doubt me. Let this be your proof. We were visited this weekend by our good friends the Watsons (from Atlanta now) and the Hickmans (from, well, like 3 miles from here). Here are our collective offspring, from left to right...

Kiley and Corinne Hickman; Aspen, Oakley, and Lindy Martin; and Emily and Gracie Watson.

Yes, they are all girls. No, I don't mind a bit.

(Thanks to Laura Hickman for taking the picture, too.)