First Day of Soccer.

So we had the first practice tonight. Jessica was pretty excited, especially about her new soccer shoes. I wasn't sure how she would do, since she hasn't really expressed much interest in organized sports. I was afraid she would be doing a lot of this...
and this....
but much to my surprise she was also doing a fair amount of this...


It is a co-ed team and the boys are lightyears ahead of the girls. They have the moves and the drive. I really liked the coach, he was very friendly and positive. Justin was quite impressed as well, upon arriving he asked Justin if he would like to "help". Justin was so excited to play around with the kids and the coach before practice started.

Turbo the hamster

After the older two got on the bus, Justin invited himself over to Alex's house to see his hamster. Here Alex is holding little Turbo.
anyone else feel sorry for this little guy? this was just before Justin tossed him at the rocks to see if he could do a backflip. Memo to self: not quite ready for a hamster yet.

First Grader!

First day of First Grade. The first day of school outfit is a time honored tradition. I had more than one cute new dress for her to wear. But you see, she has remembered for a year that the first day of Kindergarten, when she wore a skirt, was a gym day. She did not want that to happen again. So she chose shorts and a top, neither new, both a bit wrinkly. oh well it was her choice and she still looked cute. We met up with our neighbor Andrew and waited for the bus together, he is going into 2nd grade and a new school.



I love this picture, because she knew I was going to take her picture so she turned around to smile, so well trained.

I can't wait to hear all about her day, who is in her class and her new teacher. Tonight is the fist day of soccer too- big first day.

Back to School shopping

Well the past few days we have been back to school shopping for Jessica. Notice a theme in the items she has chosen?? Even her soccer cleats and shin guards are pink. I know Aunt Sheri is rolling her eyes right now. She can still be a good soccer play in pink, right Aunt Meg?

Last post from NC

we are actually back from NC but I thought I would add two more pics. our house had a very little pool in the backyard, actually more like a huge bathtub. it was awesome and a great addition. somedays we would swim in the morning have an early lunch and then go to the beach all afternoon. many days we would get back from the beach, rinse off and jump in the pool. we did feel a little guilty about the large amount of sand accumulating at the bottom of the pool :)

Feeding the Turtles

Here are a couple of pictures of the kids and the turtles. All those little black dots in the water are turtle heads. It was pretty crazy, they came up like ducks looking for bread, and if it wasn't the turtles the fish would snap up our offerings too. It was a fun outing after dinner.

A few more from NC

We are having a blast. lots of sand castles and wave jumping. We discovered a pond at the end of our street. After dinner we walk the kids down and there are tons of turtles that come up for bread bits. Emily astutely observed, "where I come from we do this with ducks". No pictures of the turtles just now, but here is one of Marc and I that Becky took when we were looking at the turtles.

vacation is our time to take family pictures- before the crush and panic of getting it in time for Christmas. Here is one of each family. This is one of our family, but probably not the one you will see on our cards.

and, just so you know I go in the water too. Here I am on the left and Marc is on the ride. We tried to go Boogie Boarding together yesterday but the waves were very rough. The fight to get out to the waves was not worth the ride coming in. Jessica has decided to get Marc a boogie board for his birthday- shhhh it is a secret.

Boogie Boarding Man!

Marc decided to try his hand at Emma's boogie board. Check out his facial expressions!

We're in NC!

We arrived in NC on Saturday afternoon. We rushed to the beach after dinner. Jessica and Justin are not quite as adventurous in the waves as the other kids. Jessica loves to sit and dig in the sand and build mountains to be knocked down by the waves. Justin loves to help Daddy dig a BIG hole, Daddy brought his shovel from the backyard to help him create the biggest holes on the beach.



Here are the girls in their matchy matchy suits!

Day three in VA- Sheri Arrives!

Sheri arrived, finally! we expected her by noon, but she was held up and didn't arrive until after 2. We quickly changed into our suits and headed out to the club pool again. The kids were excited to show off their jumping skills. Yesterday Justin was the first one to be brave enough to jump off the diving board and after watching her brother a few times Jessica got up her courage too. Notice Jessica always holds onto her nose :)

Day two in VA

Another lazy day, we even ate our lunch in our jammies. We finally went to the pool at 2 and stayed until 5. The kids always love the piano at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but the rule is you have to wait until everyone is awake. In fact today, as soon as Grandpa came into the kitchen Justin dashed out to the living to open up the piano. Here, Justin and Grandma are playing together (well at this moment they are having a contest to see who can play more keys with their arms). I am playing with some of my conversions of photos so bare with the different looks here.


Justin and Grandpa later decided to tackle the marble run. they had big plans and after much hard work they succeeded. Only immediately after finishing their masterpiece Justin began to dismantle it with glee.

Day one in VA, part two

We went to the coolest new playground. It is called Clemyjontri Park, in McLean Va. It just opened in November of last year and was designed as a playground accessible to all. It is huge! and there are so many cool climbing things. There is a carousel in the middle of the park. It was very fun. We are definitely going back, just in the early morning or in the late afternoon because it was hot. so we didn't last long, ok, mostly Grandma and I didn't last long.