Back to school

So the summer is officially over. The big kid is back to school (middle school) and had a great day. The little guy is getting ready for preschool to start sometime next month. It's funny how summer's done but today has been one of the hottest days of the summer.

The other way to know summer is over is how much worse traffic gets both going to work and coming home. Night and day difference in literally three days.

The kids

So we're in the trampoline right before dark and my two year old has perfected the butt bounce (you jump up, land on your butt, then stand up cleanly). My 11 year old is teaching him how to drop kick the giant ball in the trampoline. Of course it's just me, but my little guy seems so coordinated for his age. He can drop-kick a soccer ball and almost never misses.

My 11 year old wanted to go to the Lego store near his tae kwan do lesson so today we did (just he and I). It's rare we spend time together just the two of us, so I think he really appreciated it. He found a Thomas the Train Lego to buy his younger brother for his birthday. It's really nice how he thinks of his little brother.

Then after dinner (as always) my father-in-law and I went to the "plaza" aka the town hall of San Anselmo. A great way to make the food settle.

Another great day

So today was one of those days at the end of the week where I was just plain tired. Fridays are my home office day so I can catch up on paperwork. Not too enthusiastic today!

It's Lent so no meat on Fridays. Made linguine limone with prawns and crab. Very good, if I say so myself. We ate around 2:30 (normal eating time in Mexico). Then at 4:30 it's soccer practice (basically just playing). All of us went to the park for it. My two year old and I ended up playing soccer against each other and it was great.

Got back to the house and went for my nightly walk with my father in law. He really likes doing that so we always make a point to do it. Like in Mexico, life revolves around simple traditions.

Tomorrow we're making pozole at my brother in law's house. That'll be another great time. We're also going to a tae kwan doh tournament in the morning and a soccer game in the afternoon.

Never a dull moment in our house!

Oh no a field trip

Well our teacher sent out a note the other day. I guess he didn't have enough drivers for a field trip to a music thing. Having a two year old, my wife can't go like she used to. For her to go, I need to stay home with the little fella. If I go, she can stay home and work (he expects Daddy to do nothing but play all day).

So I volunteer. I think the teacher knew I was a rookie, because he rode with me. The whole trip (like always) I called him Mr. ____. I explained to him that even though I'm older than him (oh no) we're supposed to show respect to teachers and one way is how we refer to them. I think he appreciates all the support we can give.

Having him in the car helped. A couple of times I asked the kids (not mine) to keep their hands to themselves and he was immediately on top of them with "what didn't you understand about what Mr. _____ said?"

Since the kids are in 5th grade, we had a chance to chat as adults and it was nice. He grew up in Marin, and now lives in the town he grew up in. Really nice guy. All teachers should be as dedicated. We've been lucky that all of my son's teachers have been that way. It would be horrible to have a teacher who's just in it for the paycheck.

The fun just keeps on coming

Another great day. Had to make a quick trip down to LA (just for the day) so it meant getting up and leaving early, and coming home late. It's about 9 pm now. Got a great surprise when I got home - homemade enchiladas. Life doesn't get better than that.

Now everybody's having hot chocolate. In Mexico you either like Ibarra brand chocolate or Nestle. We like Ibarra.

Time for bed.

Life is like a soccer game

Sounds better than "a box of chocolates". Down 5-1 last week, the kids rallied to tie the game 5 -5. My son scored two goals in less than a minute (wow) but what was great to see was how the kids didn't quit when they were down. I told them after the game how they didn't quit, and that's how they came back. Today I was talking to one dad, and asked him if his son was enjoying the season (the most important thing). He said he was, and I said it was remarkable how his son wasn't afraid of anything this year and that was the big difference. Self confidence makes a world of difference, in sports and in life.

Today's views

Another fun day. Had to go to Fremont for a meeting and realized how bad traffic is over there. Completely full.

Got back home around 4 after a late lunch and what did I find? Homemade enchiladas with tortillas flown in from Mexico with my in-laws. Only ate three because I was already full but boy they were good. Better than any restaurant!

Then got to work for a couple of hours and went for our nightly walk with my father in law to downtown San Anselmo. He really enjoys only two things in life - being outdoors and being with family. This satisfies both of them. We talk (in Spanish of course) of the simple pleasures of life in a small town (he's from a small town in Mexico). He has other kids who live in San Francisco and we talk about how you can't go for walks like that there because it's so dangerous.

Then back home to feed my two year old, who had about a 5 hour nap today, and just be a daddy.

Life is good.