Say cheese!

Picture Day at school and the boys didn't miss a chance to put on their jackets and bow ties.

Leed-ing men

Check out the boys inside the Leeds United FC program. Leeds is an English professional soccer team that's knocking on the door of the Premier League this season.

They're pictured with Bernie, who lives in Leeds and is both a fan of the soccer team and the Mariners. A mutual friend met Bernie and connected us. He comes to Seattle once a year to see the Mariners and now to hang out with our family. Every year he brings the kids Leeds gear, too! 

This year he also brought back a photo to get into the program!

Vincent van Sam O.

Sam’s drawing of Winnie and Elisa.* 

* It’s the one on the left

Kindergarten!

Today was Sam O's official first day of kindergarten!

With a little wave goodbye to his mom from circle time inside the class, he got his school day started and his parents' tears flowing.

We're so proud of this kid!

10 years!

Ten years ago to this day, we started this blog to introduce our first grape, Max.

Through 1,185 posts, we've welcomed both Max and Sam into the world and followed their adventures.  

We appreciate everyone who has followed their journey and look forward to sharing more of the boys' great moments over the next decade. 

Bumbershooters!

The Greenes spent some time this weekend at Seattle's annual music festival, Bumbershoot.

Max and I snuck out Saturday night to see Prince's old band the Revolution play a show in the amphitheater under the Space Needle. 

The next day the whole crew headed to the festival

We played

Listened to some music

And had some great family time!

Oh, and Sam learned to balance bottle caps on his nose, which he was very proud of. 

All in all it was a sweet way to end the summer!

Sam's kickoff

Today was also Sam O's first ever soccer practice! Our league starts the kids off with two practices a week with up to 50 kids rotating between 8 different drills. Many of the parents get involved with coaching, including a few you might recognize below... 

Mini Messi

Someone had no trouble making new friends. This was literally the first two minutes of practice.

Coach Gregg above and Coach Elisa below!

4th grade first day!

Max started his first day of 4th grade in his new 4th/5th grade split classroom with Ms. Osborne. He loved his new teacher and was fired up to be back at school!

Compare and contrast the first day for our 4th grader above and kindergarten below.

Time flies, but all you can do is march forward!

Name game

Elisa: What would you like your friends to call you at school? Sam? Sammy?

Sam: I’d like them to call me Sam Otis. 

[perfect pregnant pause]

Or Fred. 

Elisa: 😳

Bear-ly sleeping

Someone's keeping a watchful eye on Sam O.