In no particular order...
25:
The area by the far wall in the baseball stadium is technically our field, but it has been covered by "monte" or heavy brush and we haven't been able to play on it (so we've been stealing some space on the baseball fields, which they don't like very much) But after hiring some people for manual labor, it is clear and it is beautiful! Still a little ways to go before it is playable, but we've made some serious progress!
24:
The other field we play on is right next to the lake, and Saturday we had a beautiful morning for our regular league game. This past week Estrellas #1 were scheduled to play against Estrellas #2. They battled to a 0-0 tie, and the game was full of sportsmanship, competition, and laughter. I felt like a proud momma.
23:
Lizbeth, the goalie for Estrellas #2, punts the ball up field after a great save.
22:
Lupe (#3) holds off her opponent Johanna, while Josseling (#35) gives support and Diana and Jaqueling are closing in to triple team
21:
Melisa, the Nicaraguan Celeste "Legs" Swain takes a free kick after a foul play.
20
Hasly takes a throw-in with perfect form- a bragging point for the Estrellas since the boys teams always take illegal throw-ins and consequently lose possession
19:
Rosa, the goalie for Estrellas #1, hangs out in net while the ball is down the other end. Rosa is a true leader on the team, and takes most of the free kicks, even though she's the keeper. On Friday she scored a goal from close to half field!
18:
Alba (#5) tackles Jaqueling off the ball with Taicha (#21) right behind her with good support. It was a constant battle in the midfield throughout the whole game
17: 
One of the Estrella #1's best opportunities for a goal off a corner kick, but the Estrellas #2 held strong on defense
16:
Lupe and Josseling were all smiles at the final whistle
15:
Coach Techo announces the lineup and talks game strategy before the Estrellas took on a boys team from Prusia (a rural town outside of Granada) on Friday
14:
Anyeli, Yahoska, Alega, Taicha, and Ericka having fun on the sidelines while they cheered on the Estrellas #1 during the first half.
13:
Both Estrella teams and the boys from Prusia after the game. The girls lost 2-1 but played their hearts out and surprised the boys with their ferocity and talent
12:
Vilmania and María Alejandra still have boundless energy after the game; two of the most energetic girls I know!
11:
Hasly, Lizbeth, and Johanna after the Saturday game. The three inseparable musketeers.
10:
And then they wanted me to jump in! Melisa (Johanna's sister) and María Alejandra popped in too. It's hard to have a bad day at work when I get to see these faces all the time.
9:
Vilmania and Ericka! Somehow looking beautiful after 40 min of soccer under the sun.
8:
Alba, one of the quietest girls in the group, very politely asked me if she could take a picture with me. It was one of the only times I've ever heard her speak, and she gave me a giant hug afterwards. It was hard to wipe my smile away after that one
7:
Joseling and Anyeli- a new found friendship through the program, and one of the best things to be able to watch develop week after week
6:
Hasly, Lizbeth's other half, being sassy per usual and making everyone around her laugh. She's pretty good at that. A magnetic personality on the team.
5:
Larkin always shows up to the field on Saturdays, even though it's her day off. She pours her heart and soul into this job 24/7 and I'm so lucky to be able to work with her and learn from her
4:
Flaca and Helen looking like a million bucks no matter what is happening with the weather. The best role models these girls could ask for, and the best co-workers that make my part of the job so easy and fun
3:
Melisa and Margarita, best friends, next door neighbors. One is tall, the other is tiny. Sort of reminds me of this other pair of friends that I know ;)
2:
Selvin and Jaqueling, missing the third wheel of their tricycle (Rosa) These three have some serious 'swag' and their self-confidence beams through with the way they carry themselves on and off the field.
AND
1:
My first steps in the Pacific Ocean! Mady and I traveled down to beautiful San Juan del Sur on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua (about 3 hours south) for an overnight getaway. It was exactly what the doctor called for.
Now I'm off to print trivia questions, prepare for activity night, help run the activity, rush over to facilitate the trivia night right after (we do this every Tuesday at a local cafe and the proceeds directly benefit our program) and a million other things to organize and prepare for Friday when the National Team players come to Tres Pisos! Back to the grind.
Can't really complain about any of it :)
Amor, Paz, y Fútbol
KPope
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