Soccer 2011

Braden has started soccer for the first time this Fall. This will be his first organized activity to participate in, and he's loving it! I think his favorite part is his jersey because "it's sort of like the football boys' jerseys..."

He has had three games so far, and has scored two goals. One for his team and one for the other team! I love going to cheer him on each Saturday morning, and I can't help but imagine if this is a taste of things to come when he gets more grown up and plays other sports.

My Great Helper

The kids always enjoy helping out wherever they can around the house. Today was no different when Braden and I decided to paint the front porch railing. He did such a good job following directions, and I was pretty impressed with his skills!

My Little Tree Hugger

Avery has always been my little conscientious one regarding all things earth. Whether it's concerning recycling, not littering, or wasting natural resources, Avery will be the first to correct you.

(On a side note, I think her fabulous teacher, Mrs. Cummings, added even more brownie points in Avery's book yesterday when she told the class, "The Earth is NOT your trashcan..")

But I digress.

Today while on the way to school Avery told me of all the things she and her friends did at recess yesterday. During the part where they all gathered up rocks, sticks, etc, she remembered she found a humongous piece of bark. "Oh man!" She sputtered. "I should have saved that bark and given it to the paper makers to use since that tree was already cut apart. I really, really don't want them to have to cut down a whole other tree! Especially those trees because they are so beautiful!"

Buddies

Remember this? Well, this picture was taken, three years later, at another football game. Lucas and some other great kids from ACA came up from Harding to support Kenny's football team. I love that they still somehow have their little bond!

More Bradenisms

While watching the beginning of Tom and Jerry, where the lion roars, Braden states: "Momma, if that lion were here in the living room with us, I would.....I would....well, would you pick me up and run?!"

Braden-isms

Tonight Avery and I had such a good time having girl time getting her ready for bed, and we of course had to primp after her shower.

When we re-joined the boys, Avery told Braden we had been "primping."

Braden looked at me and questioned, Momma...do boys 'print' too?"

Catch up

As usual, I've let Facebook get in the way and haven't kept my journal up to date.

Grammy and Pop came to visit for my birthday. It was so much fun.

Braden has started soccer.

Avery starts gymnastics today.

Kenny has had two football games, and won both!

We are settling in to town now. It's fun that you can see people you know and wave now. We're not outsiders anymore.

Last night was our first small group meeting with a new group of friends. I look forward to building stronger relationships with each of them.

Jon and Stacy and the kids are coming this weekend for their last hurrah before moving to Honduras.