Football

This weekend we went to Cooper's football game...what a perfect day for a game!

There he is, 35.

It's hard to figure out what's happening half the time, because they're all bunched up in a big blob.  I much prefer football on the flat screen, with close ups, and commentary. ;)

Every team has their own cheerleaders.
Riley had no interest in cheering...way too girly, you know.
I think Lumpy might use the pom poms as weapons, so I think we'll pass for her.
Rowyn's got a few years before we even need to worry about it.

Dad is the offensive coach for Cooper's team.  At this level, they get to be out on the field helping them line up on the correct side and calling plays in the huddle.

It drives him nuts that they always go the opposite direction that they're supposed to.  You run a play to the right...they go left.
I think it's cute.
They're still little boys after all.

Rowyn had zero interest in football.
The long jump pit was much more fun.

So was filling your shirt with sand.

Her headband is from here. 
I was so happy with the charcoal, that I ordered them in chocolate brown, plum, and soft pink too.  They're adorable, the seller is awesome to work with, ships quickly, and we've gotten so many compliments!  They actually tie in the back and not only fit Rowyn, but Camdyn, Riley, and even myself.

Clyde signed up to help coach, because of the extra one-on-one time with Cooper and because of his general love of football.  I think he's gotten more than he bargained for...you wouldn't believe the drama with youth football.  Coaches, parents, even players that throw their helmets and quit every other practice.  It's too bad that something that is just supposed to be for fun, to teach them basics, ends up being so competitive.  I heard a mother screaming at the last game, "Cream him, get him, CREAM HIM!"  Oh.em.gee.  They're 8 and 9-year-old boys.  I won't lie, I wanted to cream HER...but instead I burned a hole through her with my laser eyes. ;) Society already teaches our boys to be hard, to be tough...they don't need it from their parents too.  Teach them to follow directions, teach them sportsmanship, teach them the basics of the game, but most of all, teach them to have FUN!  

Okay, off my soap box. 
Sorry!

Cooper got a turn at kicking off.

We all cheered him on.
Rowyn yelled, "Go Pooper!"
Darn those first C's.

In for a drink...and a smile at his Mommy.
I imagine some day he'll be completely embarrassed by mom waving and taking pictures, so for now I'm going to do it as much as I can.

 

Halloween

What a great weekend...but for the fact it went by too quickly.
The weather was perfect, I wish it would stay like this through February.

Riley had soccer Saturday morning.
Cooper had football Sunday afternoon.
In between, we took a family walk, celebrated my birthday, and I put up the more of the Halloween decorations.

The bats from last year.

Ghost on the front porch a la Picnik.
Broken screen door a la Booth, he made his own doggy door...again.


Saturday night we were to go to a friends 40th birthday party...they were meeting at their house and then rented a RV to take them around to the bars.  I decided to bring them jello shots for the occasion, with inspiration from Caitlin.

Raspberry vodka and raspberry jello, I thought I had this nailed. 
Nope, I managed to screw them up.
The jello didn't set very well.
I managed to get them cut and the orange wedges looked like crap.
The worst part was the taste.  Way too strong, I overdid the vodka.
However, I'm sure if I waited to break them out later in the night no one would have noticed how strong they were.

I never did make it to the party.  I managed to pull a muscle in my neck/shoulder area and I was in no mood to do anything but pop some ibuprofen and soak in a hot bath.  Nothing like a pulled muscle to make you feel really old.

Next weekend, Caitlin will be in town...can't wait!     

Insta-Friday

Friday by Instagram...

A turkey pretzel roll and acorn squash.

From the hospital cafeteria...they're stepping up their game!



Halloween decorations are going up.

I tried a slightly new flower design.

Shopping...Rowyn found a new boyfriend.
She wants five after all.

I made Claudacious a honey-do list.
He wasn't amused and I don't know why?
Ha.

He still brought me a PSL to work.
He must not be too annoyed.

I'm going to try linking up for the first time.

Fort

During our walk the other day, we decided to make a detour up this path that leads to...

a secret...

tree fort that the neigborhood kids have built.

Many a summer day was spent carting wood, nails, and tools there.
I heard a lot of, "Mom, we're going to the fort!"

I haven't been there in awhile and was surprised to see the fort is now three stories high.

Cooper told me yesterday that someone wrecked part of it, including the bottom ladder.  So, they're in the process of fixing it.

Ingenious little carpenters, architects, engineers in the making.
Years from now, I can imagine them saying...
"Remember that fort we built in the woods when we were little?"
Now there are pictures.
They can look back at them and marvel at what they were able to create at 7, 8, 9, 10 years old...and I hope it teaches them they can do anything they set their minds to.
And have fun doing it.

A Surprise

It was absolutely gorgeous out yesterday.
We jumped on the chance to go for a walk.

At first, we were a little distracted by our shadow.
I love her little calves of steel.

More shadows.
You see she brought backpack with her, packed with a baby doll, chapstick, and Booth's leash...all the necessities.

Okay, she's ready now.

Down the path we went.
The colors are amazing right now.  I love that about fall.

We had a surprise when we got to the pond.
Booth didn't know what to think.

Geese!

After debating for awhile whether or not it was safe, he finally decided to jump in. 
Eww...pond scum!
Didn't seem to bother him.

The geese kept an eye on Booth and honked at him from time to time, but he pretty much ignored them.
He was much more interested in fetching sticks.

All the shaking in the world didn't help.
Booth had a bath when we got home.


I went for another walk that evening, because walking with Rowyn doesn't exactly get your heart rate up.  I was singing to myself, so hopefully, no one heard me.  I listen to such random songs.

Yesterdays play list was...
T-Pain ~ 5 O'clock 
Lily Allen ~ Everythings Just Wonderful
Pink Martini ~ Hang On Little Tomato
Priscilla Ahn ~ Lullaby
Norah Jones ~ Sunrise
Citizen Cope ~ Sideways
Lily Allen ~ Smile
LMFAO ~ Sexy and I Know It
Adele ~ Right as Rain
Ray LaMontagne ~ You Are the Best Thing
The Swell Season ~ In These Arms

I hope this weather sticks around for awhile, ease us into fall...none of this 30's weather already.

B is for Breezy

Last week we worked on the letter B.  We went outside to look for things that start with B, but we were sidetracked by other goodies.

A leaf.

A dandelion.

It was so windy last week, we didn't stay out long. 



We went in and did some crafting.

We made a bumblebee with construction paper, pipe cleaners, parchment paper, markers, and googly eyes.

Then we sorted bears.

And we counted them.

And then we gobbled them all up.

I love my time with this girl.
I am so lucky to be able to be home with her during the day.
Before I know it, she'll be climbing up onto that yellow bus with her brother and sisters.
It makes me sad to even think about it.
So for now, I'm going to cherish every minute I have with her.

It's gorgeous out today, so we're walking Booth to the pond.
Have a great Tuesday!