The trials and tribulations of having your dad be your soccer coach

Yes, Dad is my soccer coach this year in the 4-and-under league. There is no keeping score and no winner/loser. I still haven't told my team that Dad never played soccer a day in his life and was the last one picked for kickball teams in Mrs. Booth's 3rd-grade class. What's that old saying? "Those who can't do, teach." Oh well.

He's okay in that we always have scooby snacks and juice after each practice. He even brought ink hand stamps of stars and happy faces for after the game. He definitely employs a "feel good" approach. I don't know though. He made me sit out the whole first quarter because I was the coach's son and he doesn't want to be accused of playing me all the time. But I'm pretty good this year. You couldn't get me out on the field last year. This year, I want to play and even scored a goal in the three quarters that I did get to play.

In this pic Dad is giving us some strategy during practice: "Just chase the ball and kick it!"

Bama-boy doo

I've gone from a skin head to a Bama boy in one year. I had one of dad's infamous "summer cuts" last year. This year I have that southern boy style of long bangs that cut left or right at the eyebrows.

With love from Asia

Hello Reppy. Here I am saying "hi" from the tennis courts in our complex. We are having fun in the warm weather and wish you were here in Singapore to go swimming and watch movies and go to school and do all the fun things four-year-olds do together. You are very lucky to have a girlfriend halfway around the world. See you on my next visit to Athens.

School picture time

Look at me the the little man! I'm wearing my tie and matching shirt just like my little brother. I've come a long way from my first school pics where I was always crying. Now I'm happy and optimistic thanks to Mr. Jim from Church who takes such good school pictures.

Growing up

I'm wearing a tie for the very first time. Check out Hinton's blog and you'll see the two of us wearing ties for Easter. Dad and mom think we both look grown up when we're all "dressed up." Nanna and Grandpa came to visit today. They will see us hit two or three Easter egg hunts this weekend.

My cousins were here!

Oh man, did I have a good time with my cousins! They flew in all the way from Iowa to spend four days visiting Hinny and me. We went to the Aquarium, hit the Varsity, fed the ducks, had a birthday party for Katherine and lots of other things. I even got to compete with Andrew the whole time. I guess we are so close in age that we do that sort of thing when together. We did bond by both getting tatoos. His is on his chest, mine on my hand as you can see. We'll probably be really close when we get older. I'm looking forward to next Spring Break.

Another snow picture

Here I am on a mountain of snow in Lowe's parking lot. This was the day after the big snow when school was closed but Mom had to go to work (she's an "essential" worker at the hospital). She got off early and all of us slowly made it to Lowe's to pick up some essentials.

Living large at Medieval Times.

OMGosh, did I have a terrific Saturday. Mom and Dad took me to Medieval Times. What a totally cool experience. I saw jousting, sword fighting, knight games, as well as witnessing the prince get saved by some super cool knights. If you've never been, it's like a 2 1/2 hour dinner theater in a horse arena. We ate with our fingers and our food was served by a "winch," whatever that is. I toured a dungeon, etc. Hinny had as much fun as me. He was clapping for the Green Knight. He liked the colors and horses. Can't wait to go back someday when my grandparents take me!!!!

I am a knight!

I am all about knights! Mom sent me to Hinny's old school over spring break so she owed me big time. I convinced her to buy me this armour. Sword fighting breaks in our house these days at a moment's notice.

Let it snow...

As you may have heard, we had a "white out" here in Athens. Up to seven inches of white stuff at our house. Dad and I made this snowman and a bulldog. Thanks to Nana for the left over nuts and to mom for the hats and gloves. Over 24,000 homes were without power because of the storm but our power managed to stay on. Dad wanted to run out for milk and bread but waited too long.