Sunday School Fall Party

Yesterday, after three soccer games, we attended our class Sunday School party.  It was a lot of fun, and I'm really glad we were able to go.  Edward and I are in a great class, and we are the youngest in there.  There are a couple of other young families, but we always seem to be the  youngest, no matter how old we get.  Anyways, our kids were the only kids at the party for awhile, and I think they were enjoyed by all of our class members, most who have kids in college and/or just getting married.

 

The party was at one member's farm outside of Fayetteville.  They own over 100 acres, but they still live in town.  This is their family land they still own, and they had an awesome barn with a setup entertainment area (they've definitely done this before).  The guys enjoyed a lot of skeet shooting, and then we all enjoyed a catered bbq dinner from a local restaurant.  I was able to snap some pictures while we were there.

 

At the end of the evening, one of the ladder ball sets had gotten stuck in the tree.  Well, surprisingly, it wasn't our kids who did it, ha!  Anyways, I think the kids were all glad it got stuck because they got to see the front-end-loader in action as Franklin drove, while Josh got the ladder ball set out of the tree.  It was quite comical.  We're glad to see a JAG officer who is multi-talented  :)  Oh, and the kids and I discovered that Ladder Ball is an awesome game :)

Quick family picture...not the best, at all, but it was late.  Madison wasn't actually frowning, but she had been talking non-stop.  We really had a great time, and our class today told us how much they enjoyed our kids.



God's Love

Edward and I decided recently to let the kids pick a sponsor child to help through Compassion International.  We write checks to our church and other Christian groups, but the kids weren't "seeing" the ways to spread God's love.  So, we decided to do this so they could see how monthly sponsorship helps children around the world.  Now, don't get me wrong; we totally support local children's programs here and give supplies and food to local children's missions often.  I love ministries that help children.  This is just another way to show how far reaching we can help others and give the kids a global understanding.  So, we ended up sponsoring three kids, one for each of our kids. We let the kids pick their sponsor child, and they have been waiting day after day for the sponsor packs to come in the mail.  Two finally arrived today!!!  We're still waiting on Luke's packet; he was bummed his wasn't here yet.

 

Madison is VERY excited about this.  She spent over two days looking at the kids on the Compassion International website to find the right girl for her.  She agonized over it and had it narrowed down to four girls.  She really wanted to help them all.  Edward and I told her to pray about it, and we believed God would tell her which girl was the right one.  Well, that threw her for a loop.  She didn't really grasp that, but the next morning, she got up and told us her pick.  Madison ended up picking a girl from Brazil, who is also seven.  She's already started making her cards and pictures, and it's so awesome to see her work.  She has put all over the papers how God loves us; I'm so proud of her understanding.  I know we'll be helping this little girl, but I believe she'll help us so much too!

Luke, who is still waiting for his packet, picked a little boy with the exact same birthday, from Ghana.  He really wants to know about his life there and what school is like for him.   Alex selected a little boy, who is also three, from El Salvador.  We are so looking forward to learning more about these children, praying for them, and supporting them through the years. We plan to put their pictures on our bulletin board in the kids' library.  Right now, we are trying to get the boys to grasp that God loves all of us, and it's our job as Christians to help others in need, no matter where they live, what they look like, or what language they speak.  Alex is so sweet, as he'll walk up to the computer and ask to see "his boy," remembering how he looked through pictures to pick "his boy."

Soccer

 We spend a good deal of our Saturdays at soccer games this time of the year.  To make it more interesting, Edward has to work often on Saturdays, and it seems as if the kids always have at least two games at the same time.  So, we are all kept on our toes!  Yesterday, we had Alex's game at 10, and then Madison and Luke each had a game at 12.  I packed a picnic lunch that we ate at 11 between the games.  Spitting rain was added to the menu for yesterday, and yes, it lasted the entire time we were at soccer  :)  The kids all played well, and after our soccer outing, I decided they needed a trip to the Dairy Queen.

 My soccer stars

 Alex had the first game, and both Madison and Luke were glad to watch his game.  They have not seen him play due to all three practices being at the same time.

 Madison thought their warm-up of "Ring around the Rosie" was hilarious.

During Alex's game, Madison and Luke played some soccer together.

 Gametime!  He's just like his mom, a left-footed kicker. 

 After Alex's game, we had our lunch, and then I was off and running to drop both Madison and Luke off at their games.  I spent the first half of Madison's game watching her, and then I walked to the opposite corner of the complex to watch the second half of Luke's game.  We had snacks for Luke's game, so I needed to be there at the end.  Alex was a trooper walking all over the place.

 Madison played at center forward and goalie during today's game.  She did an awesome job at forward.  The other team was MUCH bigger and meaner than Madison's team.  It was quite obvious.  They were called on several issues of tripping, punching, and hitting. The refs didn't even see all of the assaults, including a bad (intentional) kick Madison was given to the stomach and another to the nose.  They were a very rough team.  I never mind a team being better, but all of the parents had problems with a team being so intentionally mean.

 She was tired!  Madison ran, and ran, and ran.  She almost scored a couple of times.

 Halftime...a quick switch to Luke's team...

 Luke was playing his favorite position, goalie.  He's good at it and loves to attack the ball.  I didn't get as many pictures of him because it was pretty quiet on his end of the field for awhile.

 His league is not allowed to use their hands yet at goalie, which drives Luke crazy.  He and Madison practice a lot at home being goalie, and he always wants to use his hands.  He will have to wait until he moves to the 7-8 year-old league for that.

The fourth quarter, Luke moved to offense.  

No pictures from after the games because, well, I was running around picking up kids.  Snacks were handed out, Luke was collected, and the boys and I hiked back over to get Madison from her game.  I hate that I had to miss parts of two games, but at least it worked out that I could see some of each game.

Terrific Kid

The schools here have a "Terrific Kid" program, and each month a child from each class is nominated who best supports a set character trait.  It's a lot like a "Student of the Month."  Madison was the first nominated out of her class this year for the trait of "Respect."  The program was held yesterday where she received her award.

 

We are so proud of her for doing such a great job at school and being such a good role model in her classroom.  Her teacher says she can really count on Madison to do the right thing all the time.

A Full Day

Alex started his athletic career today with soccer.  He is on the "Dragons" in the "Little Kicker" 3-4 year old program.  I don't know if anyone really knows who won.  They don't really keep score, as the main concern is to make sure the kids kick toward the correct goal.  It's a pretty funny age group to watch.  Some kids are really into it (usually the ones closer to 4.5 yrs old), and others walk off the field to sit, find their parents, cry, etc. And, some just stop mid-field and yell to their parents, "I have to go potty," so really, you never know what is going to happen  :) 

 

Alex had a good game, in that, he played, didn't have any meltdowns, and had fun! 

 

 He was hoping his team would be orange, but I told him he had a Green Lantern shirt, and that made things okay.  At least he didn't ask to wear the cape.

 This afternoon, after the game and lunch, this is how we found Alex.  He was in the playroom with Madison and Luke, and they were all watching a show.  Madison and Luke came to tell us Alex had fallen asleep sort of leaning on the ottoman.

Yeah, even after Edward moved him, he was passed out for a couple of hours.

Girl Scouts-The Beginning

Madison's troop had its formal ceremony Thursday to officially start the year.

 

 She was SO excited.

 The troop consists of Daisies (K-1st) and Brownies (2nd-3rd).

 One of the troop leader put the Girl Scout member pin on each of the girls.

These are Madison's good friends, and they both live here in our neighborhood.  It will be great working out a carpool system for the meetings :)

 

Madison is so excited for this year and can't wait to sell cookies.  I keep reminding her they aren't free; cookies cost money  :)

Fevers

Last weekend, both boys started running fevers. Due to this, they were home much of the week.  Surprisingly, Alex normally holds onto fevers the longest in our family, but this time around, Luke won the longevity award.  I felt so bad for the boys, but if misery loves company, at least they had each other at home.

 

 You can tell Alex recently had a dose of Motrin in this picture.  I'm not sure if the cat loved all the smothering, I mean attention, this week.

 By Wednesday, Alex was back at school, but Luke was still home.  He asked me if he could do some math that morning, so he quickly got to work. Jonah decided to "help."

 

Thankfully, Luke was fever-free by Thursday, actually by Wednesday, but I do abide by the "24-hour No Fever Rule."  Of all things, Luke was upset he missed salisbury steak at school, along with PE.