Fantastic Fall Fun

I love this time of year. I've been passionate about Halloween since having kids because the joy on their faces when they get to dress up and RING DOORBELLS FOR CANDY is just priceless. Then, with the anticipation of Thanksgiving and Christmas around the corner, it's hard not to be in the holiday spirit from October to January. I do miss, however, the changing of the trees and the weather. Don't get me wrong...living in a place with 70 degree and sunny weather all the time is a blessing, but feeling the chill in the air with orange, yellow and red leaves falling everywhere, watching the trees change is also a sight to see and I miss it. That was one of my favorite parts of living in North Carolina. Fall was just beautiful.

For now, I am thankful we get to still wear shorts during the day and that we are getting to enjoy sunshine more than ever. I know our friends in Chicago are not so lucky!

Maddie was SO excited now that she is in Kindergarten that she got to go on her first REAL field trip for school. They went to Farmer John's this year and had a great time. There were more parent volunteer drivers than needed, so I didn't attend, but my friends Rosa and Michele were kind enough to text me pictures throughout the day.

On Monday after school, I decided to take the kids to a new Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay that we had not been to before. Going on the weekend is madness (especially right before Halloween) so going on a Monday (since they have half days on Mondays) was a perfect choice. They got to do it ALL and once again, the weather was beautiful! It was such a relaxing, fun afternoon that I was very grateful for. They both just kept saying "Mommy, thank you SO MUCH for taking us here!" Now, when I get comments of appreciation like that, I KNOW they are enjoying themselves and it just makes my heart jump for joy!

They were also perfect little picture posers. Everywhere we went it was "get a picture of us here!" That really took the guesswork out of where I should try and get them to pose -- since they wanted to do it everywhere! I was so inspired after that afternoon that we came home and did Halloween crafts until Daddy came home from work!!!

Our little athlete Jacob

Jacob is playing soccer again this Fall season and we all think it may be his last.  He's just not into soccer as much as he his baseball (his favorite) and basketball.  Next year, we will probably look into a "Fall Ball" league that plays baseball in the Fall.  With the Giants headed to the World Series this week, he is absolutely baseball OBSESSED.  And because the Giants are playing the Kansas City Royals (Nanny and Papa's team!) he is double OBSESSED!  I guess the good thing is, he can't be disappointed either way, right?  Or can he?  ha.

Jacob is also playing basketball on Sundays with a new league at Serra High School.  I'm so thankful that one of the other moms at IHM told me about this league.  His entire team, aside from 2 kids, are all IHM 2nd grade boys.  It's a great idea to get them to start playing together now, since they will be playing together in 4th grade, when sports start at IHM.  Their team is currently undefeated and they are all very proud of that status!!  We've all really enjoyed watching these boys get better and better each week.  Yesterday was Jacob's best game and he scored 4 baskets, one of which was at the last second buzzer at the end of the game.  Talk about exciting!  Unfortunately I didn't get that one on video but I have a few others I can share (thanks to another Dad on the team who takes videos on the whole game).

I do enjoy watching Jacob get excited about sports.  He surfs the TV stations looking for any sort of game on.  The other day, I caught him watching a women's volleyball game.  When I asked him what he was watching he was just like "I'm watching volleyball Mom!"  Like, DUH!!  He cracks me up!

I don't have any soccer videos, but thanks to our team photographer, we've got some great soccer photos.  Enjoy seeing our little athlete in action!

The best moments are those of celebration.  Sami grabbing Jacob after he scored a goal.  Sami is also in Jacob's 2nd grade class at IHM.  I just love this photo.

And finally, here are some videos of Jacob's baskets.  We just love watching him play basketball!

Maddie turns 5!

One of the problems of starting Kindergarten early is that I'm always quoting Maddie's age before she actually turns that age. So, in my mind, I've been thinking she's already 5 for MONTHS. Not true, of course, but I think I'll always think of her as older than she really is. Perhaps it's because she's so mature?! She really is now 5 going on 15. You should hear the attitude in this girl's voice and gestures sometimes!

When I think about the little person she's becoming, it's hard not to think of myself at that age. She IS very mature, outgoing and always game for whatever is going on. She never wants to show fear. I was mature (I think -- my parents can correct me if I'm wrong -- ha), but I was extremely shy. And worried. All the time. While she shows apprehension occasionally, her general attitude is that if so & so can do it, so can she! I hope she tackles the world with this kind of confidence and clarity. Don't be fearful little girl -- it will do nothing but hold you back!

So now she's 5. Officially. And in Kindergarten. In school for the long term. I've never felt older (wahhh!)

Her desire and confidence in learning to read is growing by the day. She's getting better and better at her sight words and just the other day finished a whole book called "Mat Hid" in a series of BOB books that prepare kids for reading. It really is amazing how school has helped her WANT to learn to read which is something we were hoping for all along. Her teeth are still in tact (thank goodness!) and actually seemed to have strengthened in the healing process and are not very wiggly anymore. Maybe that means we have a few more good months with them. :) Maddie is still very much into all things sports, just like her big brother. She's playing AYSO soccer now and can't wait until she can play basketball again. When we get home from school, the first thing she does is get out of her uniform, put on her basketball clothes and asks if I can move the cars in the driveway so she can shoot hoops outside. I do love that she and Jacob do this on a regular basis together. They are each others buddies!

We celebrated her 5th birthday at Pump it up with all of her best friends. Nanny and Papa were here so they got to join in on the fun. Maddie seems to be bonding with so many kids in her class, it's a wonderful thing to witness. When we are walking into/out of school, she is just waving like crazy to each and every one "Hi Austin! Hi Sofia! Bye Nash! Bye Gianna!" It's really cute to watch. And, what's even cuter, is that Maddie is usually waving emphatically to kids in Jacob's class too -- and he in turn socializes with kids in her class. There are a lot of 2nd graders in his class with Kindergarten siblings so everyone seems to know and welcome each other!

Happy Birthday sweet girl. I still can't believe you are 5. How has it been 5 years already since we brought you home?! I really can't wait to see the kind of beautiful, confident woman you will be as you grow. And all of the wonderful things you are going to do in this life time! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU!