The SNAC Pack: Soccer and Space

Double digits always feel like such a big deal. I've realized lately that I still view Leine as my 4 or 5 year old little girl and time has just stolen that away from me. She is such a witty, unique individual and keeps us laughing (and shaking our heads) with her antics. I'm grateful how loved she is at school (well, maybe a little too loved by the boys), and thankful for how she is learning and growing. It has been a joy to watch her personality take shape and I can't wait to see what this next year brings.

For her birthday, I told Leine we could "do it big" since she was turning double digits. She decided to have a Tio Leandro party like her brother Oliver did for his 10th, and have a soccer and space theme. This made me laugh, because she's not super into soccer, but she thought her friends would have fun with that (and she wanted to win a trophy). Space makes more sense, because she's been saying she wants to be an astronaut when she grows up. We had her friends over on a Saturday afternoon and they had a great time playing in the backyard before Tio Leandro's crew arrived to lead them in organized games, face painting and hair braiding, and a soccer tournament. Leine was one of the captains and ended up with all Americans on her team (Oliver and two siblings we met recently who are with the U.S. Embassy), so they were, of course, Team U.S.A. And to their delight...they won the tournament! Everyone won medals with a picture of Leine on it, trophies were given out to the best goalie and the best offensive player (Oliver won and gave his trophy to Leine) and to the MVP (the birthday girl herself). We were running pretty late by the end so we sang happy birthday and cut her space cake in a rush, but I think it's safe to say our girl had a good party.