March 26, 2024
Hi, Olivia,
Your soccer note tonight hit me like a ton of bricks. I was overwhelmed with sadness; I re-lived a decade of memories in the blink of an eye.
Your grandmother and I were with you from your first days with Kiki in Belmont / Boston. And then the transition from Massachusetts to Texas. Year after year after year of driving you to soccer practice and going to so many games in all kinds of weather and to see the pinnacle of success last year when, as a junior, you were named (a) captain of the team and took your team to state.
With public school soccer, club soccer, and ODP soccer, we drove you to so many practice fields and soccer stadiums. So many of my most wonderful memories are of our longer trips to practice fields, like Rockwell (ODP) about 45 minutes east of here. I got to learn the geography of Texas by taking you to soccer events and Arianna to water-polo practice and tournaments. I remember so many little things about all those trips, I think you would be surprised.
I did not know you had a game tonight. I was upset that we were not there, but grammy said it was an “away-game” and instead we went to watch Sophia play her game in Oak Grove Park. I remarked to Sophia on the way through Grapevine that the trip out to Oak Grove brought back so many memories of driving you to the same soccer field for practice and for games. Little did I know that while remembering those trips, you were playing what would be your last game.
And, then watching Sophia play. Oh, my goodness, she looked just like you and played just like you when you were her age. Sophia has said many times she learned so much from watching you; she was always so appreciative of the time you spent with her teaching her soccer. And, wow, she looked just like you tonight.
You mentioned you were the only one to score a PK point tonight in your last game. Ironically, Sophia also scored the only point for her team, in a game, her team also lost. Sophia was so thrilled with scoring that only point, winning/losing that game did not matter.
You brought us years — a decade —of wonderful memories through soccer. It’s going to take me a long time to get over my sadness.
Papa
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
March 26, 2024 -- Olivia Posts Her Last High School Soccer Note -- Won't Be Going To State
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Thursday, September 7, 2023
Saturday, February 4, 2023
Fast Forward Eight Years -- February 4, 2023
Updates
October 21, 2023: Olivia's high school soccer team went on to take the championship, taking first place in Texas, in the spring of 2023. As noted, Olivia was one of three captains, a spot usually reserved for seniors. She was a junior.
Original Post
My notes regarding the grandchildren all these years were placed at the main blog, tagged with "notes to grandchildren" or something similar.
But, this is a huge milestone -- so need to post this.
Olivia was named one of three co-captains on her high school soccer team. She is a junior and captains are almost always seniors.
Olivia is playing on her high school team which finished second in the state of Texas last year.
Olivia is also playing for a club team for FC Dallas.
Olivia lives and breathes soccer.
Wednesday, June 3, 2015
Quick Update -- June 3, 2015
After four years in Boston, the family moved to Grapevine, Texas, in
2013. They lived in an apartment complex in Grapevine for two years, on
the same street as their elementary school, Colleyville-Grapevine
Heritage Elementary - Middle - High School.
Over the May 4, 2015, weekend, the family moved into a home in the immediate area but they will go to new schools starting the 2015 - 2016 school year.
Sophia will turn one year old in June.
Olivia will turn 9 years old in July.
Arianna will turn 12 years old in July.
Over the May 4, 2015, weekend, the family moved into a home in the immediate area but they will go to new schools starting the 2015 - 2016 school year.
Sophia will turn one year old in June.
Olivia will turn 9 years old in July.
Arianna will turn 12 years old in July.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Soccer Season Has Started -- First Game
No one keeps score at these games, but it was noted by Papa that the only time our team scored was when I was on the field. I recorded several assists. Kiki was awesome. -- April 28, 2012.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Making Spaghetti Dinner - Autumn, 2011
My sister and I making spaghetti dinner. Don't worry. Papa was watching us closely.
Baking Brownies -- Autumn, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Arianna Visited New York City With Her Parents Last Week; Olivia Visited London On Her Own
Arianna and Olivia boarded the bus at South Station, Boston, and rode to New York City, with their mommy and daddy last week for a quick 2-day visit of the Big Apple.
I can't even imagine the number of highlights on that trip, but their daddy took them to the top of the Empire State Building, something I could never do (because of my severe fear of heights).
Throughout the visit, for some reason, Olivia maintained she was visiting London. She just knew that the city she was in was London. She did not say whether she saw the Queen.
I can't even imagine the number of highlights on that trip, but their daddy took them to the top of the Empire State Building, something I could never do (because of my severe fear of heights).
Throughout the visit, for some reason, Olivia maintained she was visiting London. She just knew that the city she was in was London. She did not say whether she saw the Queen.
San Pedro, California, Area Aquariums -- The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and the Long Beach Aquarium
Arianna and Olivia visited two fantastic aquariums while visiting San Pedro, California, July, 2011.
The first aquarium was the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. This aquarium has changed remarkably over the years, and is now one of the nicer aquariums in the country, comparing favorably, though much smaller, with the Boston Aquarium and the Long Beach aquarium.
Two nice things about the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: it is not as crowded as other larger, more well-known aquariums; and, it is free.
It is very, very accessible. Parking is available, and reasonable, for big city rates, but one might be able to find parking on a side street for free (which we did) and then walk down the hill to the beach, the park, and the aquarium.
Compared to the Boston Aquarium, the Cabrillo has some of the most unique sea creatures, and they are often showcased in a smaller aquarium right at eye-level and more easily accessible for very young children.
Like most aquariums these days, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium does have a touch tank.
Most surprising, and something very, very unique was a brand new, state-of-the-art marine library at the Cabrillo aquarium. It has a huge window overlooking the park and the harbor; it has several new internet-connected computers free for use by the public, and a very extensive library. For those visiting the San Pedro area for an extended period, this library is a great place to relax, read, and enjoy the scenery. And again, free, with a very, very inviting librarian.
Of course, if one loves aquariums, one is not about to miss the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific when in the San Pedro area. We have not visited the aquarium in Baltimore but it is said that the Boston, Baltimore, and Long Beach are three of the best aquariums in the United States. We fell in love with the Long Beach Aquarium. Folks spending more than a few months in the San Pedro area consider buying an annual family or annual grandparents pass to the aquarium. It will pay for itself with the second visit; the grandparent package includes four guest tickets and opportunity to bring up to four grandchildren on any visit.
The Long Beach Aquarium has three touch tanks which I think is the most of any aquarium. Two of them are with sharks and mantas. The third is a jellyfish touch pool, which I think, may be unique among aquariums.
The first aquarium was the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium. This aquarium has changed remarkably over the years, and is now one of the nicer aquariums in the country, comparing favorably, though much smaller, with the Boston Aquarium and the Long Beach aquarium.
Two nice things about the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium: it is not as crowded as other larger, more well-known aquariums; and, it is free.
It is very, very accessible. Parking is available, and reasonable, for big city rates, but one might be able to find parking on a side street for free (which we did) and then walk down the hill to the beach, the park, and the aquarium.
Compared to the Boston Aquarium, the Cabrillo has some of the most unique sea creatures, and they are often showcased in a smaller aquarium right at eye-level and more easily accessible for very young children.
Like most aquariums these days, the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium does have a touch tank.
Most surprising, and something very, very unique was a brand new, state-of-the-art marine library at the Cabrillo aquarium. It has a huge window overlooking the park and the harbor; it has several new internet-connected computers free for use by the public, and a very extensive library. For those visiting the San Pedro area for an extended period, this library is a great place to relax, read, and enjoy the scenery. And again, free, with a very, very inviting librarian.
Of course, if one loves aquariums, one is not about to miss the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific when in the San Pedro area. We have not visited the aquarium in Baltimore but it is said that the Boston, Baltimore, and Long Beach are three of the best aquariums in the United States. We fell in love with the Long Beach Aquarium. Folks spending more than a few months in the San Pedro area consider buying an annual family or annual grandparents pass to the aquarium. It will pay for itself with the second visit; the grandparent package includes four guest tickets and opportunity to bring up to four grandchildren on any visit.
The Long Beach Aquarium has three touch tanks which I think is the most of any aquarium. Two of them are with sharks and mantas. The third is a jellyfish touch pool, which I think, may be unique among aquariums.
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