flag football

So, flag football. It was our first go round with it. I liked it, but I'll just say that people are serious about their football. Even for 7-8 year olds.  Ken and Ben were the coaches. Amazingly at the draft it got all the way to them (the newbies so they got last choice) and the Steelers were still available. So they snatched 'em up. I'll just say that the two seasons matched up pretty well to this point. 

The kids had a great time even though the only won 2 games (2 of their last 3), but they improved so much. It was impressive. In their playoff game last week, the Steelers played the team that mercy ruled them the first game. In the playoff game, it came down to a last second touchdown and a two point coversion. The Steelers lost in a real nail biter which was exciting for everyone!

Ben drawing up color coded plays. He was all-time quarter back the last 4 games. He didn't eat dinner the night before the playoff game because he had "game day jitters." His words, not mine.

Ted, Wyatt & Bailey

Excitement after the first win.

Sophie's hair do on the sidelines.

Coaches and their sons

Ken, Wyatt, Ted & Ben

After their play off game the league guy commended the team for being the most improved - ever!

Grandma came to a game. Doh & Pap did too but Ben and I weren't at that one to snap a pic.

Flag football was a very manageable season. It was indoors - sometimes hot, sometimes cold.  All-in-all, we liked it. Ted has decided he does not want to play basketball this winter. I'm cool with that, and I'm already thinking about Saturday mornings and how lovely that will be. We will hold out until baseball season while we shoot hopes in the back alley.

catching up on october

Life has been so overwhelming lately at a bit of an obscene pace. Recently, through multiple things, we have been heartbroken by the reality of the world high school kids exist in daily. We're wading through these things, following the Lord's lead and being faithful to the opportunity. I will leave it at that.

Some pictures of family side of life.

We have been having Friday night dinners out which is really fun. The kids are big enough to go out and it is actually be enjoyable. Two weeks ago, we ate our Friday night dinner from Jimmy John's on the sidewalk of High Street while we waited for the WVU Homecoming parade to start.

We learned our lesson 2 years ago about coming right on time. This is a parade you put your chairs out for. The sidewalks are full and the parade lasts over an hour. It's by far the best parade of the year.

Sophie has been practicing her best princess singing voice recently. I found her in the kitchen like this.

She has not, however, been practicing her picture smile. We call this her "cruise ship smile" that she broke out on the cruise the other summer and it comes out occasionally.

While Ted asks a MILLION questions while we're in the car, Sophie and I have very engaging conversations. She is very good company in the car and I learn all sorts of things about Kindergarten, who gets in trouble, and such things as why you shouldn't pick your nose and eat your boogers and other life skills.

Sophie is learning some computer skills.

Ted had his first case of strep a couple of weeks ago. This was Day 2 of being home. We had a little date on the back deck on a beautiful day.

Sophie has taken to drawing and writing. This is her self-portrait.

These fine people came over for a family dinner one night in September. Obviously it was a game day. My cousin Brandi and her husband, Chad. My second cousin Matt and his fiance, Kaitlyn. Next time we hope to add Jeremy and Mitchell.

After our trip to New Martinsville for Ted's birthday, we went to Grove City. Ben spoke at his friend Brad's banquet/pig roast. We went trick-or-treating with his family before.

Ted with the roasted pig.

On the very rare occassion that we are home on a Saturday, Sophie absolutely hates that we watch football all day. And by the time Sunday rolls around she is not a happy camper. So she resorts to watching the Disney Jr app on the iPad and then everyone is happy. We are so spoiled. I know it.

Sometime in the past couple of weeks we went to Clay-Battelle to watch my niece Graeson play volleyball. It was perfect to double up a little contact work with a little contact work for Ben.

Pictures after the match.

My other niece, Carlyn, does stats. We didn't know that so that was an extra fun surprise to see her.

And then Henry came to visit. Oh my, Sophie was smitten.

And Ted was pretty proud, too.

Uncle Andy talked smack on Ted about Madden. Then Ted beat him in overtime! It was great!

Ben got to hang out with some of his old college buddies one weekend. 

Dave, Ben, John, Billy & Jimmy

And then it was YL tshirt day. So we participated.

Bonus points for matching shirts.

 

On whatever Monday the kids didn't have school, we went bowling. Sophie is a hoot.

Ted does pretty well.

And I was horrible.

I just downloaded over a hundred pictures from 2 phones and my camera. I'm in major catch up mode. More to come . . .

ted's 8th birthday!

Ted turned 8 last Saturday. He's half way to 16. Seven was a great year for him. His reading has improved greatly and he is starting to enjoy it more and more. He improved by leaps and bounds in his sports skills, which makes it WAY easier for me to enjoy playing with him. Except when he wants to run football routes. I don't like that one. I would say we are about equal at this point in our skill levels. He played soccer, basketball, baseball and football as a 7 year old. Baseball and football are his favorite. Ted finished 1st grade with a bang and has started 2nd grade out well. His teachers continue to confirm that he is a good friend and a good example to his friends. He's a great big brother, most of the time. And he still loves to snuggle in bed at night at talk. He asks a zillion questions a day. He and Ben purchased Madden 25 for the xBox and it's a really fun thing for them to do together. He went to 2 Mountaineer football games just this season and LOVES it. He has a new-found love of the St. Louis Rams because of Stedman Baily and Tayvon Austin. It is, however, a bummer that most of their games are not televised in our viewing area. But he doesn't seem to mind. His Independence is so helpful. Ted has a big heart. I loved him being 7. It was a super fun year for us.

Please note that this sign will remain hanging until the middle of January to celebrate the births of Ben, Jesus & me. There's really no reason to take it down. 

Ted opened gifts after he and Ben got back from the WVU game on his birthday. He got a rainbow loom - those crazy bracelets are everywhere. And a multi-game that includes chess, which he is all about this year. We're still waiting on a delivery for his last gift.

We went to New Martinsville to celebrate this past weekend. 

Like I said, a new found love of the Rams.

Doh makes the prettiest and yummiest cakes.

He got a money tree for his birthday. Way cool! We are headed to Pinocchio's after school to pick out some new Play Mobil.

 

 

Doh taught him how to play solitaire.

 

 Alex & Ted played some Mario Kart.

And Gary Pap taught him so more about chess.

 

On his actual birthday, Ben took Ted to the Texas Tech game.

 

What's a Mountaineer game without some Zul's?

They sat with John & Shawna and Derek & Lisa.

 No pictures of Derek.

Let's Go . . . Mountaineers!

Soaking wet after the game while playing football in the rain with some other kids at their tailgate.

Ted had a most excellent birthday!
Happy birthday, Pal!

And to make the most of the fact that I'm actually catching up on the blog . . .

Meanwhile, Sophie and I held down the fort at the parking lot. It was a little chilly and no friends to play with that week so we hung out mostly in the van.

 

For awhile it was fine.

Then we took a trip to South America with Sophie's 3 daughters, Belle, Cinderella and Snow White. ages 3, 2 & 1. She was a very good traveler. Stopped for her babies to use the potty and eat. But only one child at a time. She'll have to learn to make the most of her pit stops.

 

And after our long trip to South America, it all really fell apart.

 So, there you have it. Ted's 8th birthday!