WIN! + aquarium

the view from our place for the week - like like like

Not that our days have been so full, but they're already running together - exclusive of the volleyball of course. And that should be what I talk about first, because the guys beat Cuba (!!!) yesterday 3-0, playing soooo so so well... it was awesome! It was near domination, and I hope they continue to play as well as they did last night; they've got two tough matches coming up tomorrow night and (hopefully) Saturday night as well - they'll play Mexico or Puerto Rico in the semis at 6:00pm mañana, with the winner meeting the winner of USA vs. (most likely) Cuba... eeeeyikes. I'm so stoked that we're here! That we made the trip down to catch all of this action and cheer in person, and catch some sun and do some sightseeing on the side.

jellies! 

We hit up the Aquarium of the Pacific yesterday morning and Hendrik loved it! We loved it too, but one of the best parts was seeing his reactions to the huge tanks and the giant sea bass etc etc. He touched jellyfish and a shark - ayee! - news which prompted some questionable looks from dad earlier this afternoon. We've enjoyed more time at the beach, and walks along 2nd Street have taken us in and out of a few shops and more than a few restaurants; on day one we ate at Open Sesame (I had the vegetarian platter, yum), day two took us to Yogurtland and day one two and three saw me in Sweet Jill's bakery salivating over everything. This morning I met up with a friend whose husband plays on the American team  - Steve played with Scott in Greece and his wife and I met up again in Istanbul a few years later - and we strolled with our kidlets and coffees (after a delicious apple sinny-bun at Jill's) up and down the Ave... it was great! Great to catch up and meet her little one and talk about life during and after volleyball, then (sans kids) and now (with kids).

And then this afternoon Steve made it down here for an hour or so after practice + team trip to Walmart (yeah, really) and before meeting + dinner, and we had a nice family walk down on the beach. An hour or so later he was back at the hotel in the zone... getting ready for tomorrow! It was great to see him, and I can't wait to cheer him and the guys on tomorrow night... go teaaaaaaam!!

looking good Gamma and Buppa!

a proud and happy family

24 weeks today - !!

And I have to add that Hendrik is LOVING The Tiger Who Came to Tea - it's his favourite book right now hands down. The info pamphlet from the aquarium was also hot hot hot today, and has seriously contributed to some new vocab; otter, puffin, jelly, shark, clown (-fish) are all part of his repertoire. I'll get the cam out tomorrow - we need some vids!