Dia de Boqueron

Wikipedia - in it's supreme authority and accuracy - refers to Dia de Boqueron as the "D-Day of the Chaco War" and, from what I've gathered from other slightly more reliable sources, that statement is not too far off.  On September 29, 1932, a Paraguayan siege on "Fortin Boqueron" (Fort Boqueron) successfully forced Bolivians to surrender.  It was not the final battle in the Chaco War (a cease fire wasn't signed until June 12, 1935), but it was a significant battle that prompted other successful offensives.  


And now, it's a national holiday! And what better way to celebrate than with a church-league soccer tournament?

Daddy playing for the men's team.

Last Thursday, as we enjoyed a reprieve from school, our church participated in a soccer tournament against some of the other Christian Missionary Alliance churches in the area.  There were 8 men's teams and 6 girl's teams that played. Brandon (of course) played, but I opted out; after being put on bed-rest three times in three months, I thought that a soccer tournament might be pushing it.  :)

Chillin' in the shade at the playground.

Our pastor said that in the past they had done a play-off system with a finals match, but that it got pretty heated between the teams in the finals and none of the other teams stuck around for the final match.  So rather than have an anti-climactic, un-Christ-like finish, they opted for a round robin style tournament this year with each team playing the other. The winner was determined by the total number of goals your team scored during the day. 
  

  Our women's team finished second overall! Woo-hoo! :)

Bailey put herself on trash duty, collecting wrappers and straws left behind in the sand.

And while we had been enjoying a semi-spring like week, Thursday brought the heat.  Thankfully the park was nicely shaded and there was a cool breeze blowing.  The players were still baking out on the turf, but us spectators were (reasonably) cool.  

Go, Daddy! Go!

While we waited for Daddy's games to start, Bailey and I played in a nearby sand area.  She loved going down the slide, moving sand from one spot to another, and even played with some of the other kids from church.  She's so used to being alone that she has anti-social tendencies (like her Mommy) so it was nice to see her approach other kids and play (nicely!) with them.  

Caleb and Josiah (our pastors oldest two) playing with Bailey. 

They have two younger sisters (twins, 2 1/2) so they knew how to be patient with her!

Bailey and I stayed for the first four games, but by 11:30 or so, Bailey was done.  She usually goes down for a nap around 9:30, add in the heat and the extra exertion playing around at the park . . . one grumpy toddler, coming right up!  Plus, Bailey is a walking heater and when she gets hot she sweats...a lot.  And her face turns bright pink.  Despite two sunscreen applications before 10:30, and a rather shaded sitting area, she looked like she's been sun bathing for hours at the beach wearing nothing but baby oil.  Poor thing!  Needless to say, she took a long nap once we finally got home. 


After Daddy got home, took a shower, re-hydrated and napped himself, we headed out to for dinner to finish celebrating Dia de Boqueron.  While waiting for our food, Bailey and Brandon played "pass the rattle" on the table.  I just LOVE her laugh!