Big Boys DO Cry

Saturday's soccer game was going great. Leighton spent the first quarter playing goalie. This was a first for him. It's an important job, but can be rather boring - especially for active eight year old boys.

Half time pep talk.

The third quarter was pretty exciting with goals being scored by each team. Leighton was tripped once but jumped up and kept playing. Near the end of the game, Leighton was tripped but this time while he was down he took a cleat to the forehead. Olivia felt the need to get these pictures of her brother in pain. She really did feel badly for him.-

Five minutes of ice does wonders. Leighton was back in the game ready to defend his opposition.

FINAL SCORE: GHANA 5 - EHIOPIA 3 VICTORY is SWEET!

Who/What is Coming Down the Street?

This was two weeks ago - trying to catch up!

On Sunday while we were at church, lunch, taking Olivia's friend home, picking Alexandra up from a weekend retreat, a neighbor down the street had been cleaning out her garage; getting rid of "stuff." Driving by her house on the way to ours, we noticed a huge pumpkin sitting on top of the garbage heap. I knew Leighton's wheels were turning because he had just mentioned within the past day that we needed more decorations. When we got home, I told Leighton that if he wanted the pumpkin he'd have to go get it himself, but had to ask the owner first. My only condition was it had to fit in the opening of our attic in the garage. I really didn't think he would do it. Rich captured these pictures of our "pirate's booty." After dropping off the infamous pumpkin, Leighton geared up for more "stuff" by taking the wagon while riding his Ripstik. How safe is that? I guess the only "treasure" will be the pumpkin because he came home with an empty wagon. :o)

No more "good" stuff. Too bad.

From someone's garbage heap to our front yard. I kind of like it.

My Boys

I went away last weekend and actually gave up the opportunity to go to a Colts game. On Friday morning, at breakfast, I reminded Leighton that I would be gone when he got home from school and wouldn't be back until Sunday. After saying that, I told him I was supposed to go with daddy to the Colts game on Sunday, but . . . since I wasn't going to be home I wanted him to use my ticket. His reaction was worth missing any game and I do believe those were little tears of joy I saw in his eyes. Joy is different than happy and I saw joy in my boys' eyes that morning. It doesn't happen often, but when it does, time stands still. Both my boys had fun! I did too!!

Colts Win! Colts Win!

These were the words heard in our house this afternoon after the worst played football game in history (according to Rich). Leighton was ready for a win today!

Student Council Speech

Alexandra decided Thursday night that she wanted to go out for Student Council which meant she had to come up with a speech to give to her class on Friday. She wrote it, practiced it and added a few motions and animated her speech a bit (imagine the voice and energy of Disney channel kids doing "Disney 4-1-1 or 3-6-5 commercials). Here she is practicing again on Friday morning before the bus.

The speech was given, the vote was taken - Alexandra made alternate. She is now hoping that Bianca moves very soon! :)

First Tennis Match

Olivia's first tennis match was Tuesday. Each week the team is evaluated individually for placement on either jv or varsity and also chosen for singles or doubles. Olivia made jr. varsity and played doubles. The first match was away and played at one of the most "well-to-do" school districts in the state. I thought there might be "trouble" when the opposing team came out in cute, matching tennis skirts and tops. Realizing the uniform does not make the player, I tried not to roll my eyes. Our team has matching t-shirts and was told to buy red shorts with pockets (which let me tell you is not the easiest thing to do). Dick's employees did not know where to find red shorts with pockets within their own store. I found them myself, at Dick's, after searching every nook and cranny. When the opposing team came onto the court and started warming up, that's when I realized there could be a problem. From our observation, each girl looked like they had been playing tennis since birth or at least had been taking lessons for ten years. :)

Olivia was pumped after scoring the one and only point for her doubles team. You could tell she was just having a good time and not getting down on losing. She told us later that the other team was taking it way too seriously and that they didn't smile. The night ended with Olivia and her doubles partner losing 6-0 / 6-1. After losing the second match, Olivia ran to tell her coach that they were improving and that they'd only lost 6-1. I love her optimism! The coach was glad to hear of the improvement as well.

Big Win!

Alexandra got off to a great start this morning scoring the first three goals for her team. Coach, aka dad, could hardly contain his enthusiasm and mom was about ready to do a flip that she's never been able to do. I'm afraid that would have taken way too much attention off the playing field. She is the youngest player on U14 (10yrs). You can do that when dad's the coach and wants his girls to play on the same team. Woo-hoo!! Way to go, Alexannie! View more soccer pics below.

Soccer Season 2008 has Begun

What a gorgeous day to play soccer. ** Go team Finland! ** Go team Ghana! **