soccer, and birthdays and dolls, oh my

I'm back, sorry its been awhile. Its been a whirlwind week of non-stop soccer action, a birthday party, and my most challenging craft project yet, all whilst dear hubby was out of town! Whew! I don't have anything too profound, or silly to share this time.(please forgive my last post, and that you had to look at it for so long...I was in a silly mood...which isn't that unusual actually...but still...) Soooo....let's just get right to the photos!

Ok, I can't even believe that my biggest girl just turned 9!! How did that happen? She decided to "go retro" too for her birthday and we found ourselves at Skate King again, and you know, you just can't get enough Skate King. Happy is she who has her birthday at Skate King. And really, the giant skate is enough to make anyone smile.






And smile she did....



Which brings me to the week of complicated doll making! I've decided to make as many handmade gifts as possible for as long as the spirit moves me, so I asked her to look through a few magazines I have and pick something. I was thinking maybe she'd pick a cute little apron, or maybe a quilt similar to the one I just made for her sister. No, no....she picked a "topsy-turvy Little Red Riding Hood doll", which is from MaryJanesFarm Magazine, Artists in Aprons issue. Which means, that with the skirt one way, it looks like Little Red Riding Hood, but if you flip the skirt up, then it looks like Grandma, and if you turn Grandma around to the back, it looks like the wolf in Grandma's clothes. yikes. So, I immediately told her I couldn't do it. Its too hard. And then I proceeded to try....And....TA-DA!!




Ha! I did it! It actually turned out pretty well, and she was totally surprised and says she loves it, so mission accomplished! I can't believe that the whole sewing thing is actually not that hard. Its kinda like cooking, if you get a good recipe, and learn a few vocabulary words, and follow the directions, it usually comes out ok.

We've got soccer out the wazoo these days, and I'd have lots of pictures of big and middle girls last game, except that it was pouring down rain and cold, so I wasn't much in the mood for picture taking. I have to admit though, it is kind of cool how so much of our community is out at these games on any given night, you see so many people you know, and the kids absolutely love it, so I guess I can't complain too much.



And, I just have to say, I am so loving my new time and freedom with 2 big girls in school full days, and the boy in preschool 3 mornings a week. I LOVE spending my afternoons with just my boy. He's had so few chances to just be himself without the influence and competition for time and attention from his sisters, that its just so refreshing to be able to have a conversation and hang out with him and give him my undivided attention each afternoon. We've been playing "baseball" every afternoon that the weather allows, and he is quite a good little batter, and I've been named the best pitcher in the world several times this week. I've also started taking babygirl to Musikgarten class each week, which is a time I also treasure. Again, here is a child who has pretty much never had time away from her siblings, (who all adore her by the way), and its so interesting to see her just totally shine in her own way in this class. She participates with total abandon and just loves it. I love being able to spend this time with her and get to know her in a way I have not been able to before. I feel like I'm really moving into a new phase right now, and I have to say it feels pretty good. For the first time in almost 10 years, I am not pregnant and/or nursing someone. Wow! I feel myself finding "me" again, and I'm pretty happy about that. Hubby is pretty happy about that too. :)

I'm about to start a new knitting project, as the weather feels more like knitting weather all of a sudden. The air is quite crisp, and the rain is starting. And I'm sitting in front of this right now...



I am loving the season I'm in.

Viva Retro!

Just thought I'd check in with you all to give you a look at all the educational videos we've been watching at our house lately.

Coming soon, thoughts on soccer, community, and so much more! :)




















Oh, and one more thing. As I was picking out 2 thermos-es (thermi?) for my school girls today, I was reminded of one of my very favorite songs. Much love to Steve Martin. (For those very easily offended, please do not press play) I can't help it! It makes me giggle every time. Tell me you didn't giggle!

Firsts

Big week this week! I was hoping to have lots of pictures of the big girls first day of school last week, the first official bus ride for either of them (trying to go green a little with the bus thing), the first full day of school ever for the middle girl, who started first grade, the first soccer goal of the year by the big girl, but alas, I just didn't have the camera with me. So please do your best to imagine the artistic shot of the close up of little feet climbing the step of the bus, with the bus slightly blurred in the background, the sentimental shot of the kids waving good-bye through the window, and the proud march back up the hill of the driveway upon arriving home. The action shot of the kick resulting in the big goal scored by the big girl. Isn't it great? I know, I'm getting really good aren't I?

WELL, I did remember to get the camera out today, for the BOY's first day of preschool this morning. Oh how this boy is ready to go to school! He so WASN'T ready until this year, and I suppose we're a bit late by the world's standards. But seriously, all he wanted to do until recently was wear his costumes and run around swinging his sword, clueless and happy. And I mean that in only the best, most loving possible way! He is really looking forward mostly to making a few friends, proving to himself that he's actually not the only boy in the world (as he is surrounded by 3 sisters at home). He charged in this morning, without looking back, and was playing happily on the carpet with a new friend and a big box of cars when I left. He was so sweet on our way to school, telling me "Mom, I'm feeling excited and nervous all at the same time" with kind of a funny little nervous grin on his face. No worries though, as we were walking out, I asked him "So, was it awesome???" and he said, sheepishly...."Yeah....it was awesome!" Hooray!

I also very much enjoyed my first morning alone with babygirl in a long, long time, maybe ever! Instead of doing something grand, or terribly relaxing with her, I decided to do some power cleaning around the house. I know, lame-o, but its so nice to be able to just get some stuff done! Babygirl sometimes "helped", sometimes wandered around doing her own thing. Then in the afternoon, while babygirl napped, the boy and I enjoyed our own alone time together. We went outside and I pitched a few (ok A LOT) balls to him to practice his batting, his current favorite activity. (The costumes have been amazingly put aside for a few days, although he did come home from his sister's soccer practice with stories of playing Elasti-boy with some kids he met at the park)


The big girl is slowly getting used to her new, more challenging routine. She's in a mixed 3rd/4th grade class this year, and is finding herself surprised at the much more challenging acaemic pace of the class. "Mom! There's no carpet time!" Nope, sorry babe. And just think, in just a couple of years, no more recess! I think she'll do fine once she gets used to it, but it is a pretty rigorous class for 3rd grade, homework plus 30 minutes of silent reading every night. I Once she finds her "new normal" I think she'll love it actually. She's into that whole "succeeding" thing. :)

Oh, and one more first! We went on our first family bike ride ever, now that we're all outfitted with bikes and a $40 bike trailer for the little ones (s) I found at a consignment shop. We enjoyed the gorgeous weather we've been having by going out on the nearby trail, and rode all the way into town, went to the park and our favorite coffee shop for drinks. We must have gone about 5 miles altogether by the end. Some of us began to lose heart at the end, but with teamwork (hanging back, and letting the slow ones set the pace..and I might have been one of the slow ones, I don't remember), we all made it back to the car, happy. Maybe its our new thing!

Hope you're all enjoying a wonderful beginning to your Fall too.