Soccer Season 2013

I feel like this season of soccer was our best ever. I base that not on the win loss record but a whole host of other factors. Other factors that reflect the things we value. The weather was amazing for most of the season and we were able to all get out, feel the sun and the wind, and enjoy the outdoors. One weekend games were canceled due to rain and a few of the others we had to wear our gloves, but for most even into November we were comfortable in sweatshirts. This great weather meant that all of us were happy to cheer at every game.

It felt really special to have both Emma and Rachael on the same team. Being 3 years apart generally means that they are in separate age groups but due to low enrollment in Emma's age group, they dropped that division and let the youngest play in the division down. It took a little bit of politicking to get Emma in but by the 2nd game she was on the red team with Rachael. At practice the coach asked if anyone had a parent able to help coach and Rachael volunteered Jim. Jim was very willing to help out and to have the 3 of them together was a real blessing. As a mom it was great to watch my girls work together on the field with Team Red/ Gryffindor. They called encouragement and instruction to each other as equals and extended a new level of respect to one another. The girls played well this season and Emma had both an assist and a goal. Rachael was a key player in the midfield and played with skill and intensity.
It was also very gratifying to see the way all of the girls on the team interacted with Jim. His good-natured sarcasm works really well at this age level and the team, including Emma and Rachael enjoyed having him as coach.

Our new soccer player also had great coaches. Bridget had decided to try soccer instead of dance this year and she really blossomed in the team environment. Bridget was on Team Pink/ Japan and was coached by one of her best friends parents. It also happened that a number of her girl scout troop friends were also on her team and a number of 1st grade classmates. Bridget's personality on the field was distinct hers. She is a natural defender, she hung on the outskirts of the ball herding pack but would get her foot on the ball if it came to her. Bridget was all smiles when she was needed to run back toward goal to defend it for her team. Bridget was always eager to get to do a goal kick or throw in and did a good job whenever she was tapped with the duty. We all had so much fun watching her from the sidelines and she was thrilled to see and hear us.

I love to watch them play.

Hello Books

I feel like we have done something right. I don't know what it was or if we should really claim credit but my little girl loves books. She will sit for long periods of time and go from page to page and back and forth. It can be upside down or right side up. She toddles around the house leaving a path of books, then goes back and re-discovers them again. Hanna was the most dedicated of our diaper wrestlers but now we just hand her a book and she reads while we change her. It also gives each of us the opportunity to get a still moment and a snuggle with the little ball of constant motion.

 

Our Little Pumpkin is One

We have had such an amazing year with our Little Pumpkin and it called for a celebration, a big celebration.

The day started with all of us coming into her bedroom when she woke up. She was a little confused by the six of us but as we sang Happy Birthday she swayed to the music and her grin got bigger and bigger. We spent the morning at the soccer fields and then came home to open presents. Johanna got into ripping paper and with some assistance from Jim and her sisters opened her gifts from us and Grandma Kate and PawPaw. I think her favorite toy was a pair of maracas. We laid her down for a nap as we switched gears to preparing for the party. We had invited the family, friends and neighbors to come celebrate our joyful girl's First Birthday.

We did a pumpkin theme and started with a cute invitation I had done on Etsy. Jim and I had stayed up late the prior evening chopping food and making and icing the desserts. The big sisters pitched in, hanging banners and cleaning up. We were putting the finishing touches on everything as people began to arrive.

Johanna was incredibly good tempered and smiled and was happy to be held by the guests who came to celebrate with her. Hanna happily sat in her highchair eating a banana and watching the commotion as everyone filled their plates with food.

Then it was time for presents. Everyone crowded around in the living room as Hanna sat in my lap to open presents. Hanna did really well going through the big pile from generous people in her life. After gifts Hanna played a little and then switched to Papa's lap for her cake. I made her a pumpkin bundt cake shaped like a pumpkin with dairy free icing. Johanna loved the candle atop her cake and grinned with squinty eyes and a wrinkled nose. She tried to touch the flame but Papa and cousin John blew it out before she burned herself.

Hanna was very excited to get into her highchair and eat her cake. She picked up the whole piece and happily ate it off her fists. By the end of the party Hanna was exhausted but kept walking around happily. She was happy but completely tuckered out.