Scorpions Victorious

Another beautiful day for soccer and the Scorpions responded with a victory - in a league where the score is not kept!

Emma was the team captain today, since we brought the post-game snacks. Yes, it really is that easy to achieve soccer royalty. And here we go with some game highlights.

First up, Emma as they are announcing the starting line-up - hair done up, earrings in place, uniform clean.

Showing off some kicking skills -

On defense, getting ready to stop that ball. Emma did not allow any goals as defender or goalie. Way to go, Emma!

Willing to take one for the team -

Moving the ball down field -

Looking to score. Emma had a couple of shots on goal today.

My kind of play - knocking that poor, defenseless little boy to the ground just because he had the audacity to think he could move the ball. Emma says it was an accident. Uh-huh.

If you look under the white panel of the umbrella, soccer's number one fan, Claire, is fast asleep. These 2 p.m. kickoffs take a lot out of that girl.

When the coach says "work together", I don't think this is what he meant -

Zoo Boo

Yesterday we took the kids to the Houston Zoo for the annual Zoo Boo Halloween event. We start with the kids in this year's costumes.

The zoo had several trick-or-treat stations throughout the park. Here we attack one -

This year the Dinosaurs were an added attraction. T-Rex is looking for some candy -

After surviving that terrible encounter, the girls re-grouped with some pumpkin decorating -

Finally a respite from the hot day at the Natural Encounters Building. Claire checks out the fish -

Then hides in the trees -

Followed by the always reserved Emma -

I should have gotten the name of this little fella, but alas, I did not -

Scorpions Attack

Emma's Fall 2010 soccer season kicked off in fine style this morning as the Scorpions (Emma's team) took on the Vipers.

You sharp-eyed readers will notice Emma's uniform color is the same as last season. She's a little disappointed, but that how it goes sometimes.

A beautiful sunny morning greeted us, so let's get right to the action. Emma's on the move

Going for the goal

Big kick to move the ball downfield

Getting a little help from a teammate

Fan shot of Claire not really paying attention to the game. Seems more interested in a snack. And, yes, this doubles as her breakfast.

 Back to the game. Emma displays her defensive prowess

Just a little high

A close-up of that game face

And even though the score is not kept, the Scorpions tied the Vipers 4-4, with the game ending as Emma stripped the ball from the Viper's best player. Way to go, Emma!

Six Years of Claire

Claire celebrated her sixth birthday last week. Time to reminisce for a moment as we look through the archives at pictures from all her birthdays.

First, the first one, in 2004 -

Wonderful one, with Bac (Aunt) Nga -

Turning two -

On to three -

Hitting four - 

Fabulous five -

Now at six, with her friends John David (left) and Ryan -

After all these years and all those parties, a girl needs a relaxing bath, made special with her latest bath toys (since she gave her cousin Jake most of her old ones!) -

The Oil Ranch

The kids had a day off from school one Friday, so we took advantage of the nice weather and drove out to the Oil Ranch. Since most other area schools were in session that day, we had the whole place to ourselves.

First order of business - the pony ride. Claire takes the reins -

Then Emma - 

The girls made new friend -

Cathy shows her prowess with the udder -

Next up - miniature golf. Claire tackles a tough one - 

Emma displays her skills -

Claire mugs for the camera while I line up the shot - 

On to feeding the cows. For an Aggie, about the only thing a longhorn steer is good for is barbecue. For the kid's sake, I let him live another day.

Emma gets down to business - 

All in all, a fun day for the kids (and the grown-ups, too!)

End of Summer Fun

At the end of August, Emma and Claire enjoyed one last day at the swimming pool before the start of school. A little overcast and not very crowded.

After a short summer, they've really perfected their styles.

First Emma -

Then Claire - 

And with that our neighborhood pool closed for the year.

First Day of School

Today was Emma and Claire's first day of school - Emma in 3rd grade and Claire in kindergarten. Here they model the school uniform: