Perfect Afternoon for Soccer at the Park!

This afternoon was a beautiful crisp fall day...perfect for an afternoon of soccer at the park!  This fall we're really lucky that the city has lined a small soccer field & put up two goals for the Under 10 traveling team.  We can do down and play anytime.  Daniel loves it & is getting really good, and it definitely helps Rachael to get more touches on the ball.  Above is a water break & Rachael was tickling Daniel, what a great natural Daniel smile, wish you could hear the giggle too.  And also above is Rachael starting to dribble & shoot!

 Daniel warming his hands up and waiting for his turn to take a shot on Mommy.  By the time we left the park he was filthy!  He wanted to help me make the homemade Chicken Noodle Soup for dinner, so I had to majorly wash him up before helping.  

Rachael, Darby & Daniel, taking another water break.  They get thirsty easily with how much running around they were doing!  A lot of fresh air, they ate a ton for dinner, then baths & they were definitely ready for bed :)

 I love these pictures of Daniel.  The top one he is so serious, ready to start arms out for balance...he's still getting the hang of it, sometimes he gets running faster than he can dribble & goes head over heals.  He dribbled so well & then put the ball in the corner of the net. He was so proud of himself, it was great.

Here he was playing with Rachael and was passing her the ball.  They were working together to try to score on me.  I was so surprised at how well he understood what to do, and how accurate his passes to Rachael were!  He passed to her & moved up ready for the ball again.  He did it better than most of her Kindergarten teammates do!

Rachael & Darby...what can I say?  They sure do love each other.  He misses her so when she is at school & waits by the door for her to come home.  She runs in & yells "Darby, I'm HOME!" and collapses on the floor, he greets her with kisses.  They are protective of one another & she is loving the responsibility of checking his food & water & taking him out front or out back on his leash.  Sometimes I catch them in the living room, Darby in her lap, Rachael reading books to him.  I just quietly stand and watch those special moments they share & then silently tiptoe back out. 
 Best friends, Rachael & Darby.