Christmas Programs

I love when the kids have Christmas programs- or, Holiday programs I should say- at school. Chloe and the first grade sang a variety of holiday songs. I would have taken better pictures, except I was stuck a few rows back. Lone Mountain has some moms who tend to arrive a good 30 minutes early to get the front row seats- its a cutthroat world in the elementary school multi-purpose room.

Ellie's school put on a Christmas play. Specifically, the story of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Ellie was a singing cow. We won't get into historical innacuracies because the kids were just too cute for words.

Have you ever seen a cuter cow? Accesorized and everything.

I look forward to many more school performances- they are the highlights of my year!

We Heart Soccer!

From August until December, Soccer makes up a very big portion of our lives. In fact, we were so busy with soccer that I didn't have time to update my blog all fall! That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it. Ellie played for the first time this year. AC was her coach, of course, and she loved that part of it. She did not enjoy the socks, cleats, shin guards and running part of it. We compromised and allowed her to wear Dora shoes instead of cleats.

Hayden was AC's "assistant", which he took very seriously, both for Ellie's team . . .

and Chloe's, for which AC was ALSO the coach.

This was Chloe's 3rd year playing, and the first year with actual referees, and rules, and other girls who were really good. Our team was made up of all of Chloe's friends that requested to be on our team, so the focus was more on giggling, holding hands and having fun than actually winning. We did manage to score 2 goals- the entire season. And, as shocking as it is to anyone who knows Chloe, she is not an aggressive player. Cute, yes. Avid competitor, not so much. She was just happy to be on the field with all of her friends and her daddy.

We had a few friends on the other team as well- here's Ryder. He and Ellie have been friends since in utero, so it was fun. AC and I have learned, with the many teams we've headed already, that its not so much the talent of the players that's important on a team, but instead having good parents- ones that are fun to have around, willing to help out and not into yelling at coach.

Yes, Ellie wore hot pink leggings underneath her soccer shorts and shin guards. Along with a big hair bow and usually about 50 silly bands. Quite the fashion statement.

This was Hayden's 5th year playing soccer, and this spring he was on a competitive team. The boy loves soccer, and I'm sure he'll want to keep playing for a long time. I'm glad that he's found something he truly loves- he's going to try out for another competitive team this summer, and if it works out soccer will become an even bigger part of our lives.


Look at that form! And those white legs! He really does take after me in many ways, poor kid.

So, now in the off season, I can look back on our time on the field with enjoyment. Then I look forward to next season (kind of) because I heart soccer (not really, but my kids do, so I have to as well!)

Happy Halloween!

I know, it was just Christmas, but I'm still trying to catch up on my blogging. In an effort to be quick, I'm not even going to fix these pictures! I snapped them before school on the 30th, and didn't check my settings so the color is wayyyyy off. But, I'm not letting it bother me. REally, here I go, putting up not-so-good pictures. La, la, la, la, la, it doesn't bother me! Okay, its really bothering me, but I'm ignoring it.

Hayden dressed up as Pele this year. He is all about soccer, so it was very appropriate.

Chloe was my little bumble bee. I'm not sure why she wanted to be a bumble bee, but she is very cute, and I found her costume on E-bay and it was a very good deal! I love it when wants and needs combine together in harmony.

2-4-6-8, Who do we appreciate?

Elleanor the Cheerleader! Hooray!!

This costume cost me nada. nothing. not a red cent. My favorite kind. Ellie really wanted to be a cheerleader, and she was the cutest one around.

Happy halloween from Cave Creek!

Ellie's First day of Preschool

Ellie started Preschool this year. She is attending Desert Foothills Lutheran. It is the same school Chloe went to and we love it! She even has the same teacher as Chloe, Mrs. Hayes, who is so wonderful.

She is so grown up and loving school!

Hayden turns 9!

I can't believe my oldest child turned 9 this year. Granted, it happened in August so I've had awhile to get used to it, but still- hard to believe. Hayden had a fun birthday, as always. His big day fell on a Saturday, so we had the friends' party in the morning, and the family shin-dig that night. It made for a very busy day, but it was nice to get it all out of the way in one day.

Since his birthday is in August, Hayden has a swim party every year. This year he invited the 5 friends that he wanted, chose a soccer theme (suprise suprise) and even held a mini-world cup tournament in the yard. Instead of cake we had ice cream sundaes, which were a huge hit on the hot, hot, hot day.

That night, the cousins and grandparents came over. There was more swimming, more presents, more food and more good times.

The sad face is because I had to yell at Hayden to stop singing to himself. Looking back, I don't know why I cared that he was singing to himself. Another mommy mistake, and I have a picture to capture it all so I can relive the guilt someday when he is in therapy and is discussing with his therapist how his 9th birthday was ruined by me.

Okay, not totally ruined. It did end with an soccer ball docorated ice cream cake, after all.

First Day of School

I'm slowly catching up!

Hayden and Chloe started 1st and 3rd grade this year. We had our annual photo-shoot out front. Chloe was so excited- she has Mrs. Tenney, who was Hayden's teacher and she is soooo sweet! Hayden wasn't as thrilled- school isn't his favorite thing. His teacher, Mrs. Chamberlin, is super nice, too.

Ellie was upset that her school didn't start on the same day- she misses the big kids so much when they are gone!

Nothing like a morning stroll in a 100+ degrees!

Waiting at the bus stop.

NEW SHOES!

This is Ellie after the kids left for the day. She only asked 100 times when they were coming home that day. My face looked pretty similar- I miss my babies when they are gone!

Jamboree 2010

Our annual camping trip in August . . . 3 or 4 days of eating, rain, drinking, dirt, eating, boggle, drinking, smores, eating, friends and, of course, eating and drinking. This year was no different. We arrived early Friday afternoon, and 15 minutes later it started to rain. And rain. And rain. What else to do but grab a drink, sit back and relax. And watch AC put up the tent in the rain. I married very well. I don't actually have many pictures of the boys because as soon as daylight hit, they scattered into the woods to play boy games- usually involving sticks, sound effects and pinecones. They would return to eat, then leave again until dark or so. Hayden is holding the rope for the rope swing that was set up Saturday night. It looked extremely dangerous to my scaredy-cat eyes, but the kids loved it.

Every year Ellie drags that poor baby along camping. She never plays with her at home. I can't quite figure out the connection, but pinkie is now a jamboree tradition.

Fred and his Saturday evening sing-a-long. The kids love it (look at Abi in the picture!) and I think Fred still likes doing it. Sneaky Snake, ABCs, Wheels on the Bus . . . the classics.

Adventerous Audrey. I'm going to call her Doctor Dolittle from now on. If there is a non-human creature anywhere nearby, not only does she find it, but she picks it up and carries it around and loves it. Perfect Camper- not afraid of anything.

I have lots of pictures of these dirrrrrty girrrrrls. They caravaned around camp like a gaggle of giggling geese. (Alliteration- another Jamboree tradition).

We had a great time again this year, as always. Only 9 months until next year!