While Brian was off chasing early-morning glory on the pitch against Czechia, Anna and Liam stayed firmly team cozy. A slow, sleepy start gave way to a casual breakfast and a stroll to the neighborhood park, where Liam inspected the grass and kept a close eye on every passing dog and bird.

Brian, Grandma (Ra), and Grandpa (Pa) returned from the match just in time to join us for a lunchtime food tour. We popped over to Sprout next door for some green-and-clean build-your-own salads, grabbed toasty sandwiches from Carved, and capped it off with a little something sweet from Avoca. Picnic-style bites with bonus people-watching made for a perfectly laid-back midday pause.

Next up: the beach. Or at least, what would have been the beach if the tide hadn’t packed up and left for the afternoon. The water was somewhere way out on the horizon, we guessed you could walk a mile before even getting your toes wet. Undeterred, we traded shoreline strolls for a stop at the nearby ice cream shop, which honestly may have been the better call. Nap #2 rolled in on the ride back, ocean air still lingering in the air.

Après soccer, we eased into the evening with a little hotel room happy hour. Ra and Pa had picked up some Sancerre, cheese, and crackers on their walk back from the beach. A few bites, a few laughs, and we were off again.

Dinner that evening brought us to Chequer Lane near the downtown stretch, where the food was flavorful and the vibes were relaxed. We closed out the night with a wander down Grafton Street (cue Ed Sheeran), taste-tested nearly every flavor at Murphy’s ice cream (but ultimately skipped, don’t tell anyone), and made our way back to the hotel with twinkle lights in the rearview and a very tired baby in tow.

With Ra and Pa taking the morning shift (MVPs), we snuck out for an actual hot breakfast at the hotel. Back at home, we tagged in for Liam’s morning meal, then dashed off again to meet friends for second breakfast, as one does on a particularly hungry day.

First nap came and went, and then it was game time – USA v Spain and Anna’s first match of the tournament to watch live. Spirits were high and the sidelines were lively with Liam running up and down.

Dinner brought us to Al Boschetto close to the hotel, where the food was as warm as the welcome. Pasta was twirled, bread was torn, and Liam made the rounds from lap to lap like the social butterfly he’s becoming.

The day wrapped up at the park with a sunset that lingered and a baby on the move. There was so much laughter, so much motion, and for a second, we swore he might crawl. Not quite, but we’re on high alert. Any day now. One of our favorite nights of the trip yet!