A week in Florida

It is no secret that Russ and I are very connected to our family despite geographic distances between us. We have a busy summer coming up so we decided, somewhat spontaneously, to go for a quick visit to Lisa's family in Florida. Ironically, the timing was bad to be able to see Keith because he was on TDY (again, again, again...). Nevertheless, we enjoyed spending time with Lisa, Aaron, and Elliette, along with the two dogs and not so much the sugar glider who was only awake when we were sleeping. We got to go to Aaron's last soccer practice. It was the expected chaotic enthusiasm of a field full of 5 and 6-year olds playing a game. Aaron loved it when he was chosen to throw in from the side.

A couple of evenings later, Aaron played his last game for this year and they had a little award ceremony (everybody got a trophy) along with pizza and cupcakes. I am always impressed with adults that take the time and have the patience to work with children learning to play a sport or an instrument. We all started life with nothing but a beating heart and natural reflexes. It can take a lot of time and a patient teacher to help us achieve success at skills. As we develop, we each have different natural abilities. Aaron doesn't yet really get how to cooperate with teammates in order to achieve a goal, but he can run really fast! He is probably one of the most physically strong and capable of the children that I know. He was able to do pull-ups when he was very young and was walking, even running, at 8 months. Now he just needs to get his knowledge and social skills to catch up with his advanced physical abilities.
We also got to see Aaron's kindergarten classroom when they got their end-of-the year awards and little presents from their teacher followed by ice cream. They gave a little concert and all of the kids sang with the same enthusiasm as the kids that played soccer with Aaron. Aaron has a good voice and loves to sing, as does his little sister. I hope they both keep it up as they grow older. Their mother is certainly a good influence for the love of music! (She may have gotten that from her parents.....)