Andrew's Love for Soccer

Mike and I divided and conquered again today with the boys soccer games being at the same time but in different locations. I decided to take Andrew to his game this time because I haven't really been able to see him play much this season. Luckily we got some great weather and although the boys on the team didn't have the greatest game I know that they were having fun. I really enjoyed being able to watch Andrew as he played left midfield and sweeper. I think at this age it can be difficult to switch positions all the time and fully understand where you need to be. There was a lot of encouragement from the parents on the sidelines to get the kids to not bunch up and to spread out. The other team destroyed us not because they were better but because they played in their positions well and looked up before passing the ball. I know Andrew loves playing soccer. It is fun as a parent to watch your child doing something they love. His ball skills are always improving and if he decides that this is something he wants to pursue then we will have to work more on specific positions as well as individual ball skills. I guess it's time to break out the old cleats and get on the field with my boys!

The Matrix Wilhelm Style

So here we are posing as Agent Smith and Trinity from the Matrix for a Halloween costume party that we went to tonight. It was fun getting ready together and then getting into character. Mike had the voice down with some classic lines and I enjoyed standing a little taller next to Mike. It was probably one of the funnest Halloween parties we have been to. The company was excellent, the costumes hilarious, the food delectable, and the scavenger hunt unbeatable. Our friends have this really awesome backyard with a giant garden in the middle and trails that wind up around the entire backyard. Mike and I are always saying that we would love to be on the Amazing Race. This was our chance to prove to ourselves that we could work well together as a team. Why is it that every year I am wearing heels? After reading a few of the clues Mike just took off looking for anything out of the ordinary and I sat there wanting to be organzied about reading the clues. It took us awhile to come together and slow down to figure things out. I guess we are not Amazing Race ready just yet but we did have so much fun on the hunt. The best part of the scavenger hunt was our friend's head poking out of the table talking non stop all while the chain saw is running in the background...scarry, hilarous, and all part of the ambience. I love Halloween just for the excuse to get dressed up for the fun of it. What a blast it is to never be too old to get dressed up!

Abby . 16 months

Abby . 16 months

20 lbs 12 oz (finally!!!) and 31.5 inches tall

has enough hair for her very first ponytail--and she didn't touch it

runs to her brothers as they get off the bus and calls them by name

likes to take her shoes and socks off and then try and put them on again

will grab me a diaper if I ask her to and will lay down while I change her

loves to talk on the phone

new words: don't touch, cheese, this, bubble, bap (bath), poop, sof (soft), out

favorite person: daddy

favorite song: itsy bitsy spider and the apple tree song

favorite food: cheese, bagels, fruit

loves to run away and be chased--she will actually look back to make sure you are chasing her

loves to be naughty and play with the toilet bowl water (I am always shutting bathroom doors)

loves to brush her teeth and will stand and let me brush them first

is not thrilled about being dropped off at the gym kid zone

got three more teeth and only has one more to go until her 2 year molars

loves to chew on my camleback water bottle spout--I finally broke down and bought her a small pink jug for her chewing pleasure

Fall Leaves

I have been patiently waiting for the leaves to start falling around here. The leaves started turning colors a couple of weeks ago but this week they seem to be the most vibrant. Every time I drive around our little town of Dupont I enjoy seeing the streets lined with beautiful trees of orange, red, and yellow. Everyday I keep thinking that I need to take my kids out to enjoy the leaves before it starts to rain. It was supposed to rain all week and we have had a lucky break in the weather so I took the kids after their half day of school today to the Clock Tower Park...so called because of the Clock Tower that chimes every hour. We ate lunch and then played in the leaves. We all worked together to build a pile of leaves to jump in and when it was finally big enough and we were tired of gathering leaves we each took turns jumping in the pile. I had a blast just being with my kids on this beautiful fall day. It brought back such great memories of the fall in Maryland when the boys were younger. We had the most gorgeous trees on the side of our townhouse and with Mike hard at work we got some pretty big piles going. They made our pile today look a little small. Nevertheless, each one of the kids enjoyed something specific about today. Abby played in the leaves but kept wandering over to the solar powered lights. For some reason she was just so fascinated by them. Emma was concerned with making the pile higher and worked hard at gathering the leaves. Peter was our go getter and chased Abby back to where we were when she got too far. Then he would wrestle with her on the ground...playfully and lovingly. Andrew was our tree shaker and shook the branches so the other kids could enjoy the falling leaves. I just soaked it all up and enjoyed this non-rainy, non-cold, and not too sunny fall day. It will be sad when all the leaves are gone. I guess we will just have to keep playing in the leaves until the last leaf is gone!

Daddy Daughter Date

Today was a very special day for Emma and Abby. Mike had Columbus day off and since I was doing a newborn photo shoot he decided to take the girls out for a daddy daughter date. Emma asked to go to Subway for lunch and then Mike took them up to the Build a Bear Store in the mall. My kids have begged me for years to go there but I have never taken them. Emma got to pick out her own stuffed animal, stuff it and pick out a pretty outfit for it. She choose this pink unicorn which is so fitting because she talks about my little ponies all the time and it sort of reminded me of that. She was so excited when she got home and was beaming from ear to ear. She probably told me at least ten times today how she built her unicorn and all the things she got to do with her dad. Abby got a little polar bear and carried it around all day. The girls have such a great dad and I am so thankful he took the time to make this a special day for them.