Before and after

This is before and after Brady's football game this past Monday. He's still enjoying it, for the most part. His team won their first game this week, so they were all really excited!

What a wonderful weekend!

This weekend was a busy one. Avery had another early morning cross country meet, and a soccer game that afternoon. Granny and Pops were also here this weekend to watch the boys in their many sporting events.
As you can see in the picture, Avery received a medal in his race! He came in 4th place! His team also won first. This meet was much smaller than most, and it was a huge confidence builder for the whole team. Keith and Pops went to this one, so I didn't get to see Avery, but I can tell from the pictures how excited he was. The more he runs, the more he gets into it. It gives him incredible energy, and even when he's worn out, he's in a great mood! He's supposed to run on his own during fall break, and he's already been planning that. I can't think of anything better than watching my kids enjoying doing what they love!
Avery had a few hours to rest before his soccer game, but he was on a runner's high all day. He was really excited about soccer too, which isn't always the case. He likes to play defense, and you could tell he was having fun. His team lost 3-2, but that didn't even matter, because they had fun playing, and played better than they have all season. His team is starting to click better, and they shut down a team that's been playing together for a few years. They normally walk all over us, but not this time! Keith's mom took the picture during the game, and I LOVE it! (We all know that I can't get a picture during anything!!) Avery was in that kid's face all day, and totally took him out of the game. It was awesome!
We had a wonderful weekend, and even though it was busy, it was also somehow relaxing. (I'll post about Brady's game tomorrow.)

All she wants for Christmas...

Well, she's on her way to wanting her two front teeth for Christmas! Chloe has had a loose tooth for a month or so now, but last week while eating pizza, it almost fell out. It has been hanging on by one corner. She's been great about letting us try to pull it, but it just wouldn't let go. Finally, Keith was able to pull it yesterday. It was so wiggly that she wasn't able to eat very well, so I knew it had to come out. She was very excited when it came out, and couldn't wait to see what the tooth fairy left.

Cross country meet

This is the best picture I could get of Avery this past Saturday. I'm lucky I got this. He's not big on pictures, especially with other people around.
Avery is running cross country this year. This is his first year, and he's been practicing for a month or so. He's had two meets so far, and he's done great! He seems to really enjoy it, and I think he likes pushing himself to improve. He finished 63rd in his first race, and 49th this past Saturday. I think both races had about 150 or so runners. He really wants to make it into the top 25, so he can get a medal. I'm really proud of him for trying something new, and continuing to push himself. I can tell that he really enjoys it, and that's a change for him. He's been playing soccer for years, and he likes it, but he doesn't really push himself. I think he likes that cross country is more of an individual sport. Keith and I don't care what he chooses to do, we just want him to find something that he loves doing. I think he's found it.

I bet you're wondering about this picture. Well, this is supposed to be a picture of Avery during the race. I get too excited, and forget that I'm trying to take a picture. Oh well. I'll keep trying.

Here is he afterward. He's pooped. And while he really wanted to get into the top 40, he was happy with the results. This was a harder course than the first one. This one was hilly, and in the woods, and the first one was flat, so they're very different.

I've learned that cross country isn't for anyone that likes to sleep late on the weekends. We had to be there at 7:30 this past Sat., and it was about 30-40 minutes away. There's also a lot of sitting and waiting, which can be a little boring with no one to talk to, but it's worth it.

Brady's first football game

Last night was Brady's first football game. He's been practicing for a month or so now, although it feels like six months! (three practices a week, two hours each!) He was very excited last night, and couldn't wait to get out there and hit someone. Unfortunately, his team lost, but I think he had fun, and he even sacked the quarterback! He has 11 other kids on his team that have never played before, so they're all still learning. I'm hoping every game isn't like last night. I tried to get some pictures and video during the game, but it didn't work so well. It was hard to find Brady sometimes, and most of the time I was too into the game to mess with pictures! Maybe I'll get some good action shots before the season ends.

Chloe funny

This week Chloe has come home saying a couple of different phrases in spanish. I asked her who taught them to her, and she told me it was her student teacher. She said that she's been practicing her spanish. Then she said, "She must watch a lot of Dora." I just cracked up! I guess anyone that's learning spanish must watch Dora. She's such a nut!

Our pet snake

Ok, not really, but it was in our driveway. I came home from the grocery store the other day, and was about to get my stuff out of the back of the van, when I spotted this little snake right outside of the garage. Thankfully I didn't run over him as I pulled into the garage. I'm not exactly excited that he was there, but I wouldn't have wanted to squish him either. Anyway, I ran inside to get the boys, because I knew they would want to see it. I think that's the fastest they've ever responded to me!! They were excited to see it, and kept begging me to get a box so they could keep it. (i'm totally getting paid back for all the fake snakes i hid to scare my mom, and all the critters i begged to keep!!) I didn't let them keep it, but I did have a "best mom in the world" moment. Avery asked if he could touch it, and for some reason I said yes! I don't know what I was thinking! So, he touched it, and it almost bit him!! Thank goodness he has quick reflexes!