Soccer Saturdays

Soccer has started for both James and Natalie, and so for the next 2 months our Saturdays will be spent on the field.  And I'm ok with that...

James's team is Sharknado!  There is a big difference in the level of play/strategy and competition from last year.  These kids amaze me and are really picking up the concepts of the game.  And they look pretty fierce in their themed socks! (note: I could only stay for the first 30 minutes of James's game, so that explains the last of action shots)

Natalie is playing on the Second Baptist team this year.  It's open to anyone: church member, school member, or community member.  At the last minute the league emailed soliciting a replacement coach, and I suppose I was the only one who responded because I am now coaching Natalie's team!!

We didn't receive the uniform until we got to the field, and this was Natalie's choice of a bac-up
soccer outfit--I love it.

I anticipated that "coaching" would be glorified cat herding, but these kiddos have definitely impressed me.  The format is 30 minute practice/30 minute game, and in close to 100 degree weather, it was tough.  Once Natalie played in the game and went out to sub, it was hard getting her to agree to come back in.  She was over it.

photo cred: James

Go Green Alligators! 

Sweet, sweet babies!

Life Lately

I sat down to write the previous post, and in going through my pictures I realized that most are hurried snapshots on the way to school or selfies in the car.  So is our life as of lately.  Still, these are pretty cute....

My little ducklings on the way to church

 Taking advantage of leaving work early one day, and swinging in the backyard.  Surprise, surprise: one of the kids isn't wearing clothes.  Actually, the surprise is only one of them is half naked.

The boys love their stuffed animals: Kitty and James Doggey

silly face

I love the little time alone with Luke after we drop off James and Natalie.

Saturday morning tv watching.

Natalie starts soccer this coming weekend, and sister is ready!  She insisted on wearing this vest.

A Budding Author

James's new favorite thing to do is write and, as of this weekend, illustrate stories.  He has started reading chapter books, and as a result is now writing them as well.  He will spend a good thirty minutes writing and drawing in extreme detail his newest story, and then we will staple them into a book.  Ever the entrepreneur, he told Brad he wanted to start selling them.  For the low price of $10, one can be yours.  (Brad suggested he lower it to $2, and Brad and I are now the proud owners of James's first two books.  Thankfully he has moved away from wanting to sell them, and instead has turned his attention to illustrating the books).

To his credit, he did state that he wanted to be a famous author on his first day of school.  I think he is well on his way.......

First edition, first sale: Space

These latest ones have a contributor---Dad

Mummy's Mankind (not sure why my pictures are sideways, but I can't rotate them--arg)

James was proud that even the back cover was illustrated

And now, "From the people from Taco Fite (Fight), Dragon Land Pirate"

 

Funny story: if the kiddos misbehave at school, they get a color change from green to yellow.  Each day they color in the calendar for their behavior.  Today, one of the first things Natalie did when I got home (Brad had to work late, so I was the first one home) was bring me her folder/calendar to show me she was on green.  I noticed a little yellow peeking through, and she tried to explain it away as her scribbling a bit outside the lines.  I asked her if she got a color change to yellow and then colored over it in green. "No, I was on green.  See (pointing to the calendar)".  After several more protests I found the note from her teacher telling me Natalie didn't mind when she (the teacher) asked Natalie to stop mixing the play dough together.  Natalie immediately burst into tears.......gotta give it to her.  Most would take a color change lying down, not Natalie.  She finds away around it.  As I told Brad, it's a lawyer trick: ask the question on direct examination rather than try to defend it on cross.  Color over the yellow, be proud and point out the good behavior rather than mom finding it on her own.