In addition to the ExxonMobil Qatar Open, we also kicked off the Doha Soccer League this weekend. Both Jaden and Nicholas were assigned to team AC Milan. Jaden plays on AC Milan grades 2/3 and Nicholas plays on AC Milan KG/1. I'm on the fence whether having the same team name will be easier or harder for me to keep track of their schedules. Time will tell.
I'm always astounded how many children we know in the league and how few friends we have on our teams. Nicholas has 1 friend on his team this year, but Jaden didn't know anyone. Opportunity to make more friends! Both teams played well this season and to help our timid but reasonably skilled soccer players, we have resorted to bribery. For every goal they score, they earn 5QAR (about $1.50) to spend on candy and treats at our compound market. Maybe this is bad parenting, but I'm going to say it's simply incentive. Our boys typically hang back from the pack and today Nicholas scored 1 goal and Jaden scored 2. Not bad for the first game of the season!!! :-)
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| Jaden's AC Milan grades 2/3 team |
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| Nicholas in action! |
After the soccer games, we went straight to Villagio mall for Jaden's 9th birthday party! When did he get to be 9??!!! How time flies and how blessed we are to call him our son. Sweet, sensitive, happy, friendly Jaden is 9!! We celebrated by taking him and 9 friends to lunch at Shake Shack (burgers and fries) followed by laser tag! The boys had a blast but it is a very short game. Only 10 minutes!!!! It was crazy expensive, so I wasn't about to pay for a second round. We finished the party with ice cream cake -- Jaden's favorite! It was so much fun! Even I had a great time!!! So nice when there is not a ton of preparation or clean up involved!! Loved it!!
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The birthday boy! All hot and sweaty after a morning of soccer and a round of laser tag. Picture taken by a friend (who is clearly better with a camera than I could ever dream of becoming)
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NO IDEA why the staff at Shake Shack put handkerchiefs on the boys heads, but they were all troopers about it!
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| Seriously, what is the deal with the handkerchiefs?? |
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| Listening to music on Ian's ipod while we wait for lunch |
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| Nicholas always says that he and Ben are one person in two bodies. Not sure about that, but Ben is a great friend to both boys! |
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| Ben on left and Hamza on right were having a staring contest. I'm not sure it was healthy how long they could go without blinking!!! I was most impressed!!! |
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| Blue team ready to play: Ben, Jaden, Skyler, Carl, and Viktor |
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Red team ready: Ian, Thomas, Hamza, Isaac, and Teddy in front
Nicholas didn't play laser tag. He was too short and the vests were too heavy, but he didn't mind at all. They let him in the room and run around while everyone played, so he was a happy camper!
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| Lights out ... ready, set, go! |
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| Final Score: Blue team wins! |
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| Despite the lack of smiles, the boys had a blast!! |
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| Not until I got home did I realize Jaden is the only one smiling in this picture. I promise they had a good time!!! |
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| Ice cream cake! Jaden's favorite!!! |
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| singing happy birthday |
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| A great group of boys! Jaden has amazing friends! |
Of course, I knew all the boys that were invited, but it was the first time Ken had met any of them and he was amazed at how many jokers are in his class this year!! He is amazed that their teacher can keep up with all their shenanigans!!! But in the very next breath he said that while they all joke around and like to be silly, they listen well and are very respectful. All in all, a good party full of good friends. Happy 9th birthday sweet Jaden!!!
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