October Fun

October was a busy month with school in full swing, lots of after school commitments, and Halloween fun, of course. It was filled with lots of soccer practices and games. We all made new friends in the process. Audrey was all about the social aspect of the season and was always happy to sit on the sidelines to let someone else play because it meant she could talk and be silly. Jackson was an awesome defender for his team and rarely sat out. He also started playing goalie some this season. I don't have many pictures of Jackson playing because we were too busy watching the games. They were exciting to watch!

The kids and I had an extra day off in October, so I let them each invite a friend to go with us to Useugi Farm to pick out our pumpkins and have a little fun. We started our adventure in the corn mazes. There were 3 of them. It took a while, but we found our way out! After lunch we went on a hayride and tried a little pumpkin ice cream.

Then it was time for a few rides. They rode the carousel, 2 trains, and a pony! We wrapped up the fun with some pumpkin blasting. The girls decided to just watch and let the boys have their pumpkins. The boys were ecstatic about blasting a few more pumpkins at various targets. Finally, we picked out a few pumpkins and headed home. It was a long, fun-filled day!

I attended a conference just before Halloween, so I missed the class parties and parade. However, I was back in time for the candy-collecting event. This year Jackson was the Green Ninja from Ninjago, and Audrey was her favorite animal, a tiger. Some friends from our church host an annual Halloween party for the kids. We all love getting together to see the kids in their costumes and their excitement when running around the block together.

There are more pictures from Soccer and Halloween in the album.

Fall Soccer Season

Both Jackson and Audrey played soccer this Fall. They had a blast. Audrey was very competitive this season and loved the games her coach played to teach new skills. He involved the parents too, which made it fun for everyone.

Jackson had a great season too. He loves to play defense, and he did a great job watching the field and figuring out where to go and what to do. Of course, he still likes to play around on the field a little too. It's starting to look like real soccer though and was so much fun to watch!

There are more pictures in the album.

Spring Soccer for Audrey

Audrey played soccer again this spring. She made lots of great new friends and had a wonderful coach. She went through several phases this season of wanting to play and not wanting to play, but she always wanted to be there. I think she mostly wanted to socialize and be silly!

Several of the girls on her team will be at her new school next year. Unfortunately, they are almost all a little older, so they will be moving up a level without her in soccer. If Audrey decides to continue though, she'll be back with them the following season!

There are more pics of Audrey's awesome team in the album.

White Knights Soccer - Game 1

Jackson's first soccer game in California was Saturday afternoon. He was excited to jump right in after watching Audrey's game that morning. He spent most of Audrey's game "coaching" her and her team on what they should do...mostly to me and Ross. He was ready for his turn!

I LOVE that Jackson celebrates when his team scores whether he makes the goal or not. He's excited to be part of the game. He also enjoys taking a picture mid-game...

Ross was the referee for Jackson's game. He did a great job keeping the game on track! By the end of the game Jackson was getting tired. He started waiting for the ball to cross his path before he engaged...he decided that's the best way to play. :-)

Watching them both enjoy playing the game truly made for a fun day! There are more pics in the album.

Purple Ponies Soccer - Game 1

Audrey's first soccer game in California was early on Saturday morning. She had a blast! She loves to run, to get the ball and take it down the field, and to play on a team.

She loves to have her picture taken...even in the middle of a game. She's sweet, she's tough, and she's a good sport!

I love my little soccer girl! There are more pictures from game 1 in the album!

Spring Soccer

Jackson and Audrey are both playing soccer this spring. They are both doing awesome, and more importantly, they are having fun! Jackson's understanding of the game and what he is able to do has grown tremendously this year, and Audrey shows no fear! She has watched and learned from Jackson for the last couple of years and is showing everyone what she can do!

Jackson's team opted not to do professional photos this year due to the inconvenience of where the pics were being taken on picture day. Instead, I took pics of everyone at one of our practices. Unfortunately, we're missing a couple of kiddos, but here is Jackson with the majority of his team!

Audrey's professional pics didn't turn out so great, so I'll likely try to do something similar for her at an upcoming game!

Spring Soccer

Jackson played soccer again this spring. He had a great time this season! In the fall, Jackson had fits on the sidelines of games and didn't want to play unless it was a practice. This time around, he just had fun! He was much more engaged in the game, and you could tell he was really learning how to handle the ball. There were still some challenges, but overall, it was a success! It's just amazing to me to see how quickly he changes!

During one of the last practices, I took pictures for the team. Not everyone was able to make it, but here are the majority of the kiddos he played with. We're excited because several of them will go to his school next year too...yes, he officially starts kindergarten in the fall!

Jackson was a great helper during the individual pics of the kiddos. He started off as my model so I could get my camera settings right, and then he became the clown to get each kid to smile. Between shots he worked on his ball handling skills!

Soccer - Third Time is a Charm

Today was Jackson's 3rd soccer game of the season, and I guess the third time really is the charm because Jackson decided to play today! Not only did he get on the field, but he did an incredible job!!! He ran, passed, and scored multiple goals!!!

He's been really funny about the whole experience so far. He loves going to practice and playing with his new friends, but he asks on the way, "Are we going to practice or a game?" If the answer is practice, he says, "Ok. I'll play then. If it's a game, I won't play." He always does really well at practice, but until today has chosen to sit on the sidelines at the games. We've spent a lot of time talking with him about it over the last few weeks, and something finally got him comfortable with the idea of playing today.

Ross and Audrey weren't able to join us today because Ross was helping host another event in our neighborhood. Therefore, I took LOTS of pictures to document this milestone. We arrived just as the game was about to start, and Jackson hesitated for about a second before walking to his coach and teammates on the field. After that, he was good to go...check him out!

Jackson was doing great! He was dribbling the ball down the field and chasing after it when others had the ball. Then he found an opening and zeroed in on the goal. He ran down the field, and scored the first goal of the game with an amazing kick!!!

After that success, he was on a roll! He scored several more goals and assisted his teammates in a few others as well. I was so impressed! I also loved that I got a high five and a hug after every goal scored for his team whether he made the goal or not! I also have to add some of the goals he scored weren't exactly easy. He fought for a couple of them, including the one on the top right below. Unfortunately, he ended up scoring for the red team in that case, but I don't think he knows or cares. He was just having fun!

Jackson ended up with the ball a lot during the game. Everyone was so excited he decided to play. They were all so encouraging of him and really helped build his confidence. He played hard and had a great time!

Jackson was exhausted by the end of the game, but he couldn't wait to tell everyone about how much fun he had and how many goals he scored. I didn't keep track, but he's telling everyone he scored 5 goals...it was probably close to that!

Of course, there are even more pictures in the album for those of you who are interested.

Oliver the Owl

Audrey has been the student of the week in her class for the last two weeks, which has meant a lot of attention and fun for her! She got to show her friends some pictures of her family, share her favorite books and toys, as well as her favorite snack, and she got to dress up like what she wants to be when she grows up. She had a blast handing out fruit snacks to her friends and dressing up like an astronaut. She chose to take a "Roly Poly Olie" book to share since it's all about her and Jackson (great books for siblings if you've never seen them). The real highlight of the last two weeks has been Oliver the Owl though.

Oliver is the class owl and will be passed around throughout the year for the kids to take pictures with and write down their adventures in his book. Audrey has enjoyed her time with Oliver. He helped Audrey do her "homework" one evening. (Jackson is the one who actually has homework once a week, but Audrey wanted to do some too!) He also joined in a game of Wii before bed one night, and has traveled with us just about everywhere we've gone.

Jackson's soccer practice and games have been one of Audrey's favorite places to take Oliver. He gets a lot of attention from the other kids, and Audrey has been sweet enough to share most of the time. Oliver has also taken several rides in Audrey's stroller, but the most fun has been had when she and Jackson are just being silly together!

There are a few more pictures in the album.

Soccer

Jackson has officially started his first after school activity and sport, soccer. It's been an interesting adventure so far. He has done really well at his first two practices. He listens and follows directions. He kicks the ball and plays with his friend, Paige, a lot, and he even scored a goal this week! You can see from the top pictures below he really enjoys it. Unfortunately, the same is not true for actual games yet. He has yet to even step onto the field, and we're not entirely sure why. We're hoping to help him build his confidence over the course of the season and see the frown in the bottom pictures turn upside down!

Audrey has made a few new friends too. She loves having a turn to run and kick the ball on the sidelines and after practices, so I'm betting she'll be ready when it's her turn to play!

There are a few more pictures in the album.