Friday-Night-Fives

Yes, Friday - and yesterday's match 11-zero against the Badgers but, as Madeleine points out, the same team "beat us 15-nil last time, so that's improvement Dad."

From there we go to swim practice at St. Paul's and both kids thrash away for an hour using fins and kick-boards. Each makes progress and Madeleine owns a powerful, beefy stroke that has promise. She certainly has the body-type for swimming. And the attitude, when she focuses herself. Eitan is in Development 2 and Madeleine Dev 1 for the Wandsworth Swim Club so able to complete repeats, dive from the blocks, and keep their mouth shut when Coach yelling.

Yep, just like the old days. Competitions are somewhat infrequent and nothing like football, which sees a tournament most Sundays and league-play from September. Still, there is plenty to work on and builds confidence, flexibility and cross-training. After the pool we head home for pizza take-away and a sticky Friday night. Top of the summer. Madeleine butt-naked but Eitan more modest and keeps inside his PJs. Oh, and Murray loses to Andy Rodick in four-sets leaving the British, and their high-expectations to see one of their own in the Wimbledon finals for the first time since '38, grumpy and disillusioned. Oh, well - otherwise a good week.

Me to Madeleine: "Have the Badgers scored a goal yet?"
Madeleine: "Of course we have dad!"
Me: "Well, when?"
Madeleine: "Remember, there was that time we lost 13-2?"

Eitan: "Oo, I have a half-wobbly tooth! Madeleine gave me a half-wobbly tooth!"
Madeleine: "Did not!"
Eitan: "Did so."
Madeleine: "Did not! Mom, Eitan says that I gave him a half-wobbly tooth!"
Eitan: "Well, it is true that you did give me a half wobbly tooth. Here, see, it is half wobbly."