Soccer + Dana's 40th Birthday

This week Clara started soccer, though they weren't able to have their first/only practice on Wednesday due to weather. Their schedule is as such that they have practice on Wednesdays and then a game on Saturday or Sunday. So, I wasn't sure then if they'd still go ahead with their first game if they hadn't even had one practice yet. We are new to the soccer circuit since Brynn didn't do soccer and this is Clara's first year playing.

We received notification, though, that it was still game on for Saturday! So, I last-minute got Clara some shin guards and she was all set after her soccer ball arrived from Amazon and we got her jersey back with her name emblazoned on the back.

I believe there are 66 different teams in the Fargo Soccer Club, beginning with pre-K, probably up through grade school or even middle (I'm not for sure). Clara's team, the robins, is made up of eight other girls.

So, the little teams just play against each other, kind of scrimmage style. It was set up pretty informally with three-on-three and then they'd just sub out whenever someone needed a break. They don't have any goalies yet so that it's easier for them to score. Clara was a little shy and nervous to start, but once they started playing, she got in there and got going. Another girl she knows from school (who is in a different class) is on her team, so it was nice that she had a friendly face.

Snack break. :-)

They kind of took turns getting to kick off; this was Clara's turn. She even scored once during the game, so that was pretty exciting for her.

Cora and Clara

Lady Robins

It was so much fun to watch them...and hilarious too. They would just randomly fall down as they were running around and one girl even had her shin guards on backwards. Clara had a really fun time, though, and already is looking forward to practice on Wednesday.

Dana has been battling a cold over the past week in addition to being really busy at work, so we didn't really plan too much to celebrate his 40th birthday yesterday.

We did have our prospective summer nanny come spend some more time with the girls on Saturday night before she starts with us. So, then we went out just us two.

Of course over the past year, we haven't been out and about too much, especially downtown, until recently, as most everything is opened back up now. We started out at Pounds for drinks and an appetizer and then ate dinner at No Bull Smokehouse before going to Rough Cut axe throwing again.

I had this really yummy salad in a jar with pulled pork. And that garlic toast on top. Never mind the crappy photo.

It was my Sunday to teach Clara's Sunday School class. We are down to only the three girls after COVID kind of wreaked havoc on our group size and attendance. They are such sweet and well-behaved girls.

Clara brought the other two down underneath their table and led them in a prayer. It was so precious. Our lesson yesterday was keeping peace and practicing forgiveness; that your desire to keep the peace should outweigh an attempt to win an argument. So, Clara's prayer was that she knows it makes God sad when we fight and don't get along, so please help us to be nice and forgive each other. 💕 Olivia to the right had the giggles. :-) They like to get out this little battery candle during class (which is what Clara's holding in her hand.)

On Sunday we were pretty low key. The girls and I made Dana's birthday cake (same one as last year: chocolate peanut butter cup) and then we opened gifts and ordered in dinner.