SWEET soccer success!

As a four year old, Beckam was able to play his first season of soccer. What started out as high expectations from Nate and I, ended up as sideline pleas from us for Beckam to just "GET THAT BALL!" Beckam doesn't lack in energy or ball skills, but for some reason we just could not get him to move anywhere fast when he was on the field. It took everything out of me not to run out on the field and give him a push start. Unlike the other boys, we would find that after he had been on the field for a couple minutes he would tug on the coaches sleeve and say, "Coach, I'm ready for a rest," and then he'd happily sit on the bench finding more joy in sipping his Gatorade than playing the game. We're not quite sure what happened to the 2 year old with the best drop-kick, batters stance and swing than most much older than him. What I do know is that when you're dealing with Beckam it's all about timing, HIS timing. He does things when he's good and ready to do them and not a moment sooner. Until then it looks like I'll have some opportunities to improve on my self-control and patience.

Beckam did score a goal mid-season, which we were thrilled with, so as promised, he earned himself a golden medal. Go Beck!

Jaxton had an awesome season. This is his third season of soccer and it's been so fun to watch him gain more confidence and better skills. He's quick, aggressive and tough as nails. He and another player would collide and the opposing player would bounce off Jaxton, fall on the ground and cry and Jaxton would just look over at us, shrug his shoulders and keep playing.

Before the season began, they kept sending out e-mails asking for volunteers to coach. Jesica and I talked and decided that we would step up if we could co-coach together. Admittedly I was very timid in the beginning, but soon learned as many rules as I needed to know to coach seven 5 year olds. When the season was said and done, Jesica and had I coached our team to an undefeated season -- go Warriors and go US!
Jaxton insists that he wants me to be his coach forever, but Mac has decided that it's his turn to have me as his coach -- it's so nice to be wanted.  :)

Mac also had a great season. He was part of a team that was truly awesome -- each boy could hold their own and they had a wonderful coach who pushed them every practice and every game. Mac enjoyed being part of a team that took the game seriously and was as competitive as he is.

The Raptors went undefeated (with one tie game) and ended up taking first place as well as making a great name for themselves.

At the end-of-season party, Coach Scott said how much he enjoyed working with Mac. He loved his intensity and competitive spirit and said he brought his best game every time. Coach also said that he loved watching Mac's eager smile at half-time when he would always tell the team the same thing, to "turn it up a knotch" -- he always knew Mac would give it his all out on the field.

Now that soccer is over it's on to basketball. Mac's hoping to have a full year of 1st place teams -- only time will tell.

Scrap Skirt

I spotted this cute idea on Pinterest and knew I had to duplicate. I not only ended up making one for Jilli, but I also made one for a baby shower present for Saturday. So fun and so cute!

But then again, with a face like this, I think she can pull off just about any look!

hAlLoWeEn 2011

Our annual "pick a pumpkin" outing (but do it quick, 'cause it's super cold!).

Jilli followed in her brothers footsteps and dressed up as a chicken for her 2 year Halloween experience. She loved her costume and had no problems putting it on and wearing it around.

Just like last year, Mac took his ninja duties very seriously.


We found that when it comes to being a ninja, Beckam definitely takes after Mac -- all business when the costume is on.

Jaxton on the other hand, can't be serious for an extended amount of time even if he had to. He was the "smilingest" ninja that I had ever met.

On the morning of Halloween I always make "Witches Brew" with oatmeal and a few "other" ingredients. This year I realized (a little too late) that we didn't have enough oatmeal -- good thing witches know how to improvise. Each "little pretty" had their "goblin guts" of choice (cereal), then I added "ghost blood" (milk), "snake venom" (green food coloring) and "bat eyeballs" (mini chocolate chips). I'm not sure if it was my wicked cackle or the "ingredients," but none of my kids finished their brew off this year.

Our Halloween dinner was a bit more successful -- who can go wrong with "Mummy Dogs?"

It was a good thing that I got some good pictures earlier at the trunk-or-treat, because on Halloween Jilli was in no mood. Between throwing up, running a fever and getting a sandpaper rash all over her body, the last thing she wanted to do was pose for pictures. She spent the majority of Halloween being totally pitiful (but not before the whole family went to lunch together and freely passed and shared drinks between all of us).

Here is the trick-or-treating crew, minus the Bush clan. We stayed in the neighborhood and had an awesome turnout.

Our three ninjas and lil' chickadee hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!