Roly hit 2 milestones this past weekend. 

On Saturday, he walked to the local grocery store.  He has been to the grocery store many times, but always he has been carried, strolled or worn.  On Saturday, he and I *walked* together to the store.  He held my hand and took his tiny steps.  He also walked back from the store.  He is a walking machine. 
On a side note, we walked to the store again on Sunday (I love having a store so close!).  This time, I let him walk without holding my hand for the short sidewalk to the corner.  Then I held his hand when we crossed the street.  When we got onto the other side,  I let go of his hand to let him walk on his own.  He took a couple of steps and then stopped, turned and looked at me.  He just stood there for a few seconds until I extended my hand to him.  He smiled, took it, and jauntily walked down the sidewalk.  I interpret this to mean that he likes holding my hand.

On Sunday, Toby was reading to him from one of his favorite picture books.  We typically point to the pictures and say the words.  Occasionally, we ask ‘Where is the X?’  He never responds except to try and turn the page (which is his *real* joy in books).  However, on Sunday, when Toby asked ‘Where is the X?’ he pointed to the correct picture!  Toby tried a few others and he correctly pointed.  We are such proud parents.  After pointing out the pictures, he got up and ran around the living room, just to let us know that he hadn’t changed. 

He has some new words: 

1. baba – this word has been around for a long time, but has recently morphed into strictly milk in the bottle. 
2. wawa – water in the bottle
3. zzzush – juice in a sippy cup
4. zzzoos – shoes
5. mama – finally.  Toby is happy.

The other night he was in his high chair and wasn’t eating.  I had given him is water bottle and he set it down said ‘baba’.  I said ‘no baba’ and he said ‘zzzush’.  I said ‘no juice’.  He said ‘baba’.  I said ‘no baba’ and he said ‘zzzush’. I said ‘no juice’.   He said . . .  and it went on for many repetitions. 

This is (currently) what Max would like to do as a career….

Roly is not been keen on older males with lots of facial hair, so we thought it best that Max hold him for this picture.  He does look like he is in awe of the glory of Christmas – huh?!  🙂

On the way back from the Sunday morning soccer playoff game, I rolled over to 250,000 miles in my 1997 Honda Civic.  I wonder if I can get 250,000 more miles out of it?

Yikes! Yesterday was a loss of 2-9.  Max developed a blister, Roly kept trying to run onto the field and the wind was brutal.  Just not fun.

Today’s game was at 8a, and we had to be at registration at 7a, so we woke up at 5:45 to leave the house by 6:25.

The morning started off well for Max. Since yesterday was so cold, he decided to wear his new set of track pants over his shorts for warmups. The coach arrived and said ‘good morning’ to Max, and then immediately commented that he liked Max’s warm up pants. Max beamed brightly, stood up a little taller and was just proud to be there when he said ‘Thanks’. Max was very particular about his track pants, and even returned a pair originally purchased over the internet because they flared too much.

We are playing with the backup goalie and 1 player down.  The morning game is not going well.  With 2 minutes left the score is 5 -1 against the Warriors.  Hopefully, the afternoon game is better.

Toby and I had to do some schedule shuffling as Max and I have Boy Scout tree lot duty this afternoon.  The morning game is over with a loss.  🙁

UPDATE : Max’s team won their final game 6-3.  Toby reports that Max had a great header during the game.  He had a great season.  Thanks Coach Jeff for being available for the boys.