Will's First Soccer Game

After several seasons of watching Max play, it's finally Will's turn to take the field.  He had his first practice on Wednesday night and he loved every minute of it.  Every day he asks me to play soccer with him outside while Jack naps.  Today was his first game and he is hooked.

Will is super sensitive to the sun. When he shades his face with his hands he calls it his 'roof'.  Here he is showing off his 'double roof'.  It cracks me up.

 Nonna, Jack, and I were on hand to see his first game.  Max had a game at the same time, so he and Daddy were playing soccer elsewhere.

Will was super proud of his uniform and couldn't wait to practice kicking when he arrived.

 When the game began he was in the thick of things most of the time.  It was funny to watch how the kids just follow the ball like a hive of bees.  I had forgotten just how it starts out since Max's teams have really improved the last couple years.

After halftime Will was worn out.  Yawns, eye rubbing, and the works.

 There was also lots of playing with the knot on his penny.  Nonna had a good idea that next time they should put the knots in the back.

I had to throw in a picture of Jack.  He was a trooper. He even cheered Will on from the sidelines.  It was pretty cute to hear him yell 'go William!'

Will's first sports experience was a huge success.  He can't wait for practice on Wednesday!

Apple PIcking

The local pick your own farm has honeycrisp apples - our favorites - ready for picking.  We headed out with Grandpa Jack and Uncle Tim to pick some apples!

Watching Max take care of Jack just melts my heart.  He is so sweet to his baby brother and is always willing to help him out.

 Will just loves shoulder rides.  It's pretty cute.  He complains that his legs get tired and he just can't go on.  Daddy comes to the rescue with a shoulder ride.
 Look at all these handsome men waiting for the tractor!  It was so fun to have Grandpa Jack and Uncle Tim join us.

 Getting all three boys to smile for the camera is pretty much impossible.  I'll settle for this.

 Max and Will were both very intrigued by the lunchbox strapped to the tractor.  Max was quick to point out that our return tractor didn't have a lunch box, so that driver must have already eaten.

 The boys had lots of fun picking apples in the orchard.  There was a bonus surprise when we were able to pick peaches too.

These four men make me so incredibly happy.  I'm so lucky and I count my blessing everyday - even when one of my blessings is making me want to pull my hair out.  I wouldn't have life any other way.

Grant's Farm

Last weekend was crazy busy with lots of family fun to celebrate Max's first week of second grade.  We went to Grant's Farm Saturday morning, the pool Saturday afternoon and then the Science Center on Sunday.  It made for some very tired, and very happy kiddos.  

  Of course we fed the goats at Grant's Farm.  The big boys totally have the whole thing down.

Poor Jack on the other hand needed a bit of help.  I protected him from the big bad goats and he loved every second in the pen.

 Will has loved the carolsel for the past couple years.  Max was always hesitant and never wanted to try it.  I was so proud when he said he wanted to go on.  I love watching him show the self confidence to try new things.  Sometimes I wish Will would try fewer new things :)

 All three boys loved watching the giant tortises crawl around their pen.  Jack in particular thought it was hilarious.

We tired soemthing new this visit, we bought some camel food and fed them.  Both of the big boys loved it.  They couldn't get over how funny it felt when the camel took the food from their hands.  We were all laughing at their responses.  The camel was quite the ham too.

Watching our boys experience things makes it so much more fun! I just love these fun summer weekends.  We need to make the most of it before the winter weather hits and we are all trapped inside for weeks on end!

Hello 2nd Grader!

Yep.  The time has come for Max to head back to school.  In fact yesterday was his very first day of second grade.

The last week of summer vacation was a bit rough on the momma over here.  The gym was closed so there wasn't even that break a few times a week.  I was at my wits end and thought that I wouldn't be able to wait for Max to go back.

Yesterday morning that wasn't the case.  I was sad to see him off to school and I counted down all day until we could walk to the bus stop.  I just couldn't wait to see Max again.  We all really missed him!

We were so excited to see Max that we got to the bus stop about 15 minutes early.  Unfortunately, the bus wasn't early.  In fact it was 40 minutes later.  So the boys and I had to stand on the corner and entertain ourselves for a really long time.  Thank goodness for the wagon, hats that play peek a boo, and grass that can be rolled in.

 We were all ridiculously excited to see the bus finally pull up!

I was so happy to see this big guy!  He said second grade was pretty great.  It also hit me that when I was teaching I spent two years with second graders.  My baby is as old as those little people I taught.  My very first class just started their senior year in high school.  I can't blink because that will be Max!

Last Summer Hurrah

 So this week is back to school week.  At least for Max.  So we had one last hurrah at the zoo with Nonna.  The goal of our trip was to see the sea lion show and it didn't disappoint.  But of course before that we needed to make a stop on the train!

We sat in the very back seat and the big boys were able to say all aboard each time we left a station.  Jack just loved waving and everyone that passed by the train.  He even blew kisses to a few of lucky zoo patrons.

 For the past few summers the zoo has housed a sting ray exhibit.  Max remembered it well and was super excited to pet them.  All three boys, and Nonna, seemed to enjoy it.

Then came the big event, the sea lion show!  It was fabulous!  One of Nonna's coworkers gave us the scoop so we had perfect seats for the show.  The kids loved every second.

Our last fun summer outing was a huge success.  We had a great couple hours and we left before everyone fell apart.  I'll call that a win!

Where the Wild Things Are

Both Nonna and Great Aunt Carm at members at the Art Museum.  Yesterday they had a special family event - Where the Wild Things Are.  The kids were able to use model magic to create their very own wild things.

Jack's favorite part of the crafting was the glue stick.  He probably used up two whole sticks.  His habitat wasn't going to fall apart no matter what.

When we first arrived Will insisted that he wasn't going to make anything at all.  But once he saw everyone else having fun sculpting he changed his mind and decided to make a cat.  With the help of Nonna he was able to do a pretty good job.  I love all the cute little toys that he made for his cat.

 He was very proud to show off his work to Great Aunt Carm, who happened to be quite the sculptor herself.  I mean come on. . . look at this amazing bust of the great Nonna.

 Once the boys were all finished we headed outside to see some sculptures.  Here is my little Hurcules standing on one foot ready to beat down the multiheaded snake just like the statue.

I love that Aunt Anna is all finished with school and has a job here in town.  It's so nice to be able to see her anytime!  The boys are lucky to have so many people that love them so much!

I'm excited that I was able to take them the the Art Museum and it was successful!  I want to expose the boys to all different experiences and this outing proved that we really can do it!

Nonna Days

I'm a little late posting this one.  The big boys both had super fun days all on their own with Nonna this summer.  They ate up the one on one time and can't wait for their next Nonna Day.

Nonna and Will went to a zoo class together.  Will learned all about animals and how they use camouflage to protect themselves.  Will got to pet a few animals in class too.  A couple years ago Max took this same class so Will was super excited when he got to make a habitat just like his big brother!

 
Of course no trip to the zoo is complete without a ride on the train!

Max's Nonna day was spent outside too.  They started with a bike ride at the park.  Since Nonna had the magic touch when it came to teaching Max how to tie his shoes, we thought she could be the one to teach him to ride a two wheeler too.  She said he really did a great job!

All that hard work on the bike was rewarded with some relaxation at the pool.  This summer is the first time that Max has been willing to try the really big water slides.  He loves it!  It makes me so proud when he gives something new a try!  Now we just need to see what fun Nonna can come up with for Jack :)