Biking and Cousins and Soccer Stars

Saturday evening Rudy wanted to take his bike out. At the beginning of the summer, he wanted to training wheels taken off, but once they came off, he wasn't very excited to ride because it was too hard. One night recently, while playing outside with the neighborhood kids, he took his bike and Paul saw some of the kids riding alongside him helping him balance and ride. I think that gave him the confidence (and the peer pressure) needed to give it another try.
So just before dark, while Paul ran out, Rudy and I headed to the end of our street. He did amazingly well. He would go about 20 feet pushing with his feet, and then stand on the pedals and start pedaling. He still isn't going very far before loosing his balance or concentration, but it's enough that he feels accomplished! We had to call Paul as it got dark to drive home quickly to see him do it.
Sunday morning, when Rudy woke up at 6:45, the first words he said to me were, "Can I go out and ride my bike?" We put him off for a few hours, but then he was out there practicing some more.

Later on Sunday we met up with the cousins to celebrate Charlie's birthday at Johnson's Farm. We didn't get to stay long because we had plans to go to a soccer game, but we got to hang out on the playground for about an hour.
The girls stayed together most of the time.

The big boys decided the stroller was the best thing to play in.

Charlie, ever the Daddy's boy.

The girls.

Rudy hiding from Max.

The biggest monkeys.

Playing on the tractor and wagon.

Just before we left, we threw all the kids together to take a picture. I just kept snapping and ended up with some good ones, except for the funny shadows. Everyone cooperated, without any bribes, which was a pleasant change.

After a while at the farm, Paul, Rudy and I headed to PPL Park for a Philadelphia Union soccer game. A local group of families who have adopted from Guatemala planned the outing and there were a lot of perks involved.

The beautiful park.

The players warming up on the field.

We received t-shirts and a bag with a sweatband and wrist bands and a magnet.

The end zone where all the excitement happens when the Union score a goal.

At the 80 minute mark, our group headed into the locker room area for a meet and greet with a couple of players. Here we are waiting (with our bug-eyed son).

Rudy getting an autograph from Gabriel Farfan. He was so excited to meet the players and get their autographs, but really couldn't have cared less about the game. He did say on the way out, "I'm really into soccer now."

We also met Zac MacMath, the goalie.

On the way out I attempted to get a nice picture taken with my son and the Commodare Barry Bridge behind us.
Attempt one.

Attempt two.

Attempt three- guess this will have to do!