Wet Saturday Soccer...

Saturday was a very wet soccer day.  Keith and I reffed our final game with light spits of rain then we watched Cody's game after. It looked like it was clearing up for his game, but then in the middle it decided to sprinkle some more.  Cody's team was very light on players, as we only had 6 of the 13 show up for the final game.  So this meant lots of playing for all the kids, but they all did great! 

Kick off...

 He had lots of ball time...

 He played forward, goalie, defender and back to forward.  

Forward is his favorite as he gets to run more, but he did awesome back at defense. 

 Buddies...

 Favorite part of the game, snacks! 

I'm glad for the long season to be over so we can get a break, but I love the gab session with the moms as much as Cody loves to play.  See you next year! 

Tyler's Feast at Preschool

Tyler's preschool held a family feast the last day before Thanksgiving break.  It's a full spread lunch, preview to Thanksgiving dinner if you will. 

When we arrived for the feast the kids were outside listening to the story of the pilgrims. 

 Tyler's place marker he had made earlier in the week. 

 Tyler's feast was mostly fruit and cookies.  He's not a big fan of the Thanksgiving meal, and I didn't feel like wasting food that day. 

 We were all asked to sign up and bring something, so I picked dessert.  

I've been craving apple pie since I canned apples a few weeks ago, so this was an opportunity.  Instead of making a pie that would require cutting, serving and forks, I made minis in a muffing tin. 

They were awesome, and yes I'm totally tooting my own horn here.

This and That from the week...

Finally a moment to sit and breath! 

~Sunday, Cody decided he was going to organize his Lego's.  He's wanted to do this for some time now but we haven't had a chance to go through his boxes.  It took him a good portion of the day but he did a wonderful job! 

Sorting all his Lego's into colors...

 Which meant all this was emptied out...

 Leaving a project for Mom.  (Notice the not smooth flaps on the bottom of the boxes)

 So I found this in my stash...

 and fixed his boxes so they are more Lego friendly...

 The one set he was able to finish on  Sunday night. 

 So his job now is to built all his Lego sets so we can sort them back out into their own boxes.  Hopefully a certain 4 year old lets him finish his projects without too much issue!

~I've been doing a lot of PTA this week.  It was delivery day for our cookie dough and butter braid orders, joy!  It didn't go all that well, and I came home with way too much dough that hadn't been picked up.  Hoping to rectify some issue before the next fundraiser. 

~Christmas time is right around the corner and I've almost stopped panicking.  I think I have all the gifts planned out, and a bunch of stuff has been bought to follow through with these plans.  Doing a bunch of crafting that hopefully will be appreciated. 
I've also had to tell myself "no" this year.  I'm not doing a bazillion cookie bags/boxes for everyone we know.  It cost too much and I don't need the added stress.  So I'll design a simple Christmas card and have it printed at Walmart/Target. I'll put together small gifts and treats for the boys' teachers and a few poppy seed cakes for some very close friends.  
This is so hard for me not to do a bunch, especially because we'll be in Boise this Christmas.  Trying to think small and less stressful! 

~Tyler had his last soccer class this week.  He has loved this so much and is a good little player!  I can't wait to see what he does next year when he gets to play in the league. 

Skill review huddle....

 Goofing off after getting his jersey for scrimmage...

 And he's off! 

 He loved to tackle the ball, now we just need to get him to push it to the side instead of trying to go through the opponent. 

 Goal!

 and another! 

 Still cheering after every goal...

 Coach told him to stand to the side and ask for the pass, but to let the other boy take the ball down.  He did well at this, not rushing in to take the ball. 

 But when the opportunity came...

 He was excited about his new backpack. 

~Friday is Tyler's feast at school, more to come on that later...

Crafty...

Are you sick of this yet?

Check out what's going on over on the crafty side:

http://goodbadcraftyblog.blogspot.com/2010/11/first-show-on-books.html

Halloween Fun...

 Lots of Halloween fun this year!   

Tyler decided that he would be a puppy this year.  So we dug around the costumes and pulled out Cody's puppy costume for a couple of years ago.  We gave him a new name and bought him pants that fit and he was done!

 Cody wanted to be a ghost.  I'm not big on having their faces covered, so a hooded, shredded thing it was.  Then come to find out he wasn't very keen on painting his face and had to buy some tulle last minute to finish.  

Here's Tyler modeling for me...

 We started our Halloween fun with Tyler's school party.  

Here he is with his Pterodactyl friend...

 I was slated to help make necklaces for the first 30 min, but Ty had a good time going around and playing games...

 Eventually they moved to the stage for a dance party...

 Then we headed to face painting to add the black nose mom forgot...

 After some snacks they lined up for the costume parade...

 Later that day we went into Cody's class for a their harvest celebration and helped the kids make masks.

Once he was let out of school we headed down to Old Fair Oaks for their safe Trick-or-Treat...

 They had a handful of games for the kids (and this year they were free!)...

 After loading up on more candy, and hitting Grandma and Grandpa's for a quick costume show we were done for Friday. 

Saturday brought on lots of soccer.  Cody played a good game, not sure of the final score, but I think they tied.  He did really well at staying in his position and getting open for the ball.  Keith and I reffed the following game as well.  The home team was out in Halloween spirit with painted faces and colored hair.  Way fun!  Too bad the 6-7 year old attitudes came with it....

Sunday was pretty mellow and once we finally ate dinner, it was Finally time to go out for Trick-or-Treats! 

 Convinced Cody to let me paint his face, he looked so much cooler! 

 Mom remembered his nose this time as well. 

 They had a lot of fun, came home with a load of candy and lots of compliments.  We were also very happy because they used their big voices to say "Trick-or-Treat" and "Thank you" at every house.  

Another successful Halloween on the books!

Apples!

So during our adventure to a Apple Hill last week we brought home 60 lbs of apples.  

Imagine these two boxes full, with nice mounding tops...

 After a busy few days I was down to these....

 Busy making applesauce....

 and 3 jars of baking apples...

 Also fitting in a small maple apple crisp.  Yum! 

I wish I had started canning sooner, because I didn't realize how easy it really is, if you have the time.