What a busy week it's been!

Last week was so busy.  If you ask me what we were busy doing, I don't think I can put my finger on any one thing, just lots of little things.  Soccer practice, karate, school, soccer practice, soccer games... oh and did I mention soccer practice?

Howard just loves soccer.  On the nights he doesn't have practice for one of the 2 leagues he's in, he plays out in the back yard with Brian.  He tells us regularly he wants to have soccer practice 15 days a week.  :)

We have been trying to take full advantage of the last of our summer weather.  I love that it has lasted most of September!  We made it over to Discovery Park one day last week and had the whole place to ourselves.  The kids loved that there was no waiting for a swing and no kids to watch out for.  Hazel loved being able to roam free.  She loves the swings, as long as we don't push her too high.  :)

Howard said this swing reminded him of a roller coaster at Legoland.

Happy as a clam, as long as I didn't push her too high.

She was scared to death to walk though the giant pumpkin.  

 Fascinated with this worm, I think it was just the right size to peak her interest.

Soccer is among us

It's a sure sign the weather is about to change when soccer season starts up.  Howard is involved in 2 soccer organizations right now, the 2 Valley soccer leagues.  Brian is even coaching one of his teams, which Howard thinks is the coolest thing ever!  It helped him realize how cool it was when one of our 8-year-old neighbors told him that he thought it was SO COOL that Howard's dad was coaching one of his teams.  :)

I'm not too sure how I feel about all this soccer.  I mean, Howard loves it, he told us he wants to play soccer 15 days a week.  Right now with the 2 leagues, he has practice 3 days a week and a game or two, or even three every Saturday.  It is taking its toll, Howard is exhausted, but insists on playing it all.  We are taking it day by day, if he's too tired, we hold him back.

Here's some pictures from his game this past weekend.  I'm sure you'll see lots more as the season goes on.  ;)

It feels like fall

Yes, it feels like fall.  BUT, I was watching the weather report and it's expected to be 90 degrees this coming Saturday????  WOW!  I'll take it.  Another day of warm bliss....  ahhh.

Hazel is growing so fast!  I bought several clearance summer items for her for this summer and next summer at the end of last winter.  After having to give away some of the things I had bought for her for this summer because she was bigger than I thought she'd be, I pulled out some of the items I had stashed for NEXT summer, only to see that they are going to just fit her now, at the end of this summer.  So, I had to snap a picture of her in this super cute watermelon outfit that she will get to wear a time or two before it's too cold.

Howard has wanted cowboy boots for as long as I can remember.  We always look for a pair at the used kids stores when we visit.  We have found a few pairs, but his feet are just too tall to get into most boots.  That is... until we found a pair last week that FIT!  He was so excited.  He has worn them a lot, even to school once.

First day of Kindergarten!

I am pretty sure almost every mom finds themselves wondering how the last 5 (or 6) years went by so quickly when their sweet angel enters kindergarten.  I found myself wondering that very same thing!  Really... where did the last 5 years go???  Howard was SO excited to start kindergarten.  Many times during the summer, he would ask, "Do I have preschool today?  Oh wait, I'm a kindergartener now!"  He was half kidding asking about preschool, but he was sure to remind us that he is growing up!

At the end of last school year, Howard was going to preschool 4 mornings each week, so I was pretty sure I was ready to send him off to kindergarten without tears.  I made it through the morning tear-free, however I have to admit, there were so many worrying moments!  Howard is going to Summit School.  Many Spokane area schools offer kindergarten 5 days a week for 3 hours (either in the morning or afternoon).  Summit School has kindergarten 2 days one week, 3 days the other week, it alternates, but they go for full days (6 hours).  I found myself wondering who was going to help him if he couldn't open his juice pouch at lunch?  Or who would help him if he got lost in the school building?  All the little things that weren't concerns for us at preschool.

Howard picked out his first day of school outfit, which included a t-shirt with a pocket on the chest.  He told me he wanted that shirt, "so I have a place to hold my pencils during the day".  :)

I'm happy to report he had a FANTASTIC 1st day!  He got to school and knew 2 class mates - Jacob (a buddy we've known since he was born) and Luci (a friend from karate class).  The play ground was a little overwhelming at first, but as soon as Jacob showed up, I was given permission to leave (by Howard).  He told me his favorite part was recess and his not-so-favorite part was writing the big letter S.

Here's some fun pictures from his first day.

 With his teacher, Mrs. Ellis -

 The play ground is SO BIG!

 Sitting with Jacob.