Euro Cup 2008

The grand event of European sports took place Sunday night. The 2008 Euro Cup captured everyones attention...especially Spencer's! We had quite a rivalry going with Grammie & Grandpa Randall who are living in Germany & of course are big German fans. At the Taylor Randall house we are all fans of Spain - Spencer's all time favorite football club. We called Grandpa after Spain's first goal...we're not so sure he appreciated hearing from us at that particular moment. Spencer's good friend Arthur came over to cheer & watch the game. Spain won 1-0. After the game the two boys went running through the streets cheering & laughing. Our bakery lady wasn't too thrilled and yelled out the window telling the boys to be quiet!

Stade de France

Spencer's big request for this "golden birthday" celebration was to go to a soccer match at the stade de France in Paris. Late Saturday night he and Taylor took the train and had a blast watching the French national championship game between Paris Saint Germaine and Lyon. Thousands of crazy fans made it even more memorable. Sometimes I wonder if it's more fun to watch the soccer fans or the players. Spencer had a wonderful time with his dad...yet another priceless memory for years to come.

Allez Fontainebleau! (Go Fontainebleau!!!!)

It was a banner day for Spencer (#9) and his football club. They won 4-0 and Spencer made two of the goals and got the assist in another. We couldn't help but cheer "Allez Fontainebleau!!!!" The coaches asked Spencer if he ate a lion this morning - I think that meant they were happy with his performance. Being on the Fontainebleau Running Club team has been a real growing experience. No one on the team speaks English, not even the coaches. Spencer has had plenty of frustrating practices trying to figure out what they are telling him. He's been determined to play well and to be able to communicate with his teammates. Overall the boys on the team have been nice, but there have been rough moments. Just this week a few boys stole his bag and hid it during practice...this is not the first time they have tried this prank. I wonder how they would react if they were in a foreign country trying to fit in? Luckily Spencer is a great team player and rather than getting mad he's chosen to get in the game. Allez Fontainebleau!!!!

Vingt-quatre heures du fut (24 hours of soccer)

It was the big Telethon weekend. Every village and city in France had banners, bake-offs and sporting activities to raise money. I think the money is to be sent to help the people in Africa. Our village of Bourron Marlotte had football pour vingt-quatre heures. It was an indoor match that took place in the tennis courts. You had to donate at least 1 euro or more to play. Spencer's friends invited him to join them at 7pm Friday night. He called Taylor at 9pm and asked him to join the group. They played until almost midnight. Saturday Spencer went back for more in the morning and then late afternoon. This was paradise for our soccer junkie!