End of the Soccer Season

The boys really enjoyed playing soccer this fall. They like kicking the ball around in Jordan, but this was their first time playing on a team. They were on Team Americana, and their coach was a great guy named Matt. It was a short season, but from the start to the end, both boys, and the entire team, improved so much and really got the hang of the game. They had practice and games once a week. Here they are warming up before a game.

The boys both loved playing goalie. Benjamin is in the goal and Caleb is, of course, flossing not the fiedl while we waits for the ball to come his way...

Caleb's turn as goalie.

Caleb really impressed us with how focused he was on following the ball, and his agility really improved. This was the last game, and definitely the best game for everyone!

Benjamin improved so much from the beginning to the end of the season. The first game there were some tears, then the next game or two he was skipping and whistling down the field. By the last couple of games, he was running hard and focused.

Goalie kick for Benjamin

Goalie kick for Caleb.

Receiving medals at the end of the last game :).

Team Americana, led by Coach Matt.

The boys took a liking to the Coach's daughters, Paisley and Piper, who were just a year younger and same age separate apart. We were glad they made friends, and we enjoyed getting to know their family during the season.

So proud of these two for working hard and having fun!

Last Day in the Bobcat School

We are so thankful that the boys got to be Bobcats for the first quarter of school this year! 

What was even more special is this was the school that Nathan attended, and Grandma Betty has been working at for many years. Every day, the first person the boys saw at school was Grandma Betty :) The boys loved riding the big yellow school bus, and we enjoyed getting them on and off the bus. We were so thankful for how well they adapted to the new school and they truly loved their time there.

The boys had two wonderful and loving teachers. Benjamin had Mrs. Marcum, and they had the same last day because she was expecting a baby girl, Emery, who was born a few days after he left, and she is doing great. Benjamin loved being in her class, made lots of new friends, and he learned so much in the short time he was there. We especially loved hearing all the songs he learned to help him spell new words, practicing his popcorn (sight) words, and building his math skills. Last night as we were sorting legos, he was singing the color songs and it made me happy and think of Salem. Thank you Mrs. Marcum, Benjamin misses you and the class, and he will be sure to visit next time we are in town! 

Benjamin also got to celebrate his 6th birthday at school. Nathan and I brought in cupcakes and his class sang him happy birthday and enjoyed the treats. 

Caleb's teacher was Mrs. Richardson, and she was a really special teacher for Caleb. She saw his potential and encouraged him every day. On his last day of school, she gifted him a book called, I Survived the Titanic, from a series of historical fiction books that he discovered and took a strong liking to this year. Caleb made new friends, learned a lot, and in the short time he was there, his reading excelled to new levels.  She said she enjoyed when Caleb shared with the class about Jordan and occasionally he even shared Arabic words. Thank you Mrs. Richardson! Caleb misses you and the class and will come visit next time we are in town.

One other special thing that both boys received during their time at Hawthorn Elementary, was the C.A.T.S. kids award. Caring for Others - Always Being Safe - Taking Responsibility - Showing Bobcat Spirit. We are proud of their eagerness to learn and great attitudes at school

It was a great experience and we had a lot of fun. Thank you Hawthorn Elementary, we will miss you!

Sibling Love

These boys love their little sister! I pray that they develop strong sibling bonds as they grow during the years. We love, love, love these three :).

She is one lucky little girl to have two great big brothers!

Carlyle and Rend Lake

We enjoyed one more trip to Carlyle and Rend Lake. Towards the end of our stay, the weather was getting so nice and perfect for being outside. On a half-day from school, Nathan and I took the boys to Carlyle Lake to ride bikes and play one last time. We will all miss the long bike trails and plethora of playgrounds and green space, and we soaked it up while we could.

Climbing the cables of the suspension bridge. Caleb amazes us with his superman strength for his size!

Benjamin likes to take off on his bike and go, and he enjoyed doing just that!

After a bit of riding and walking, we detoured off to the playground.

Stretch out little girl :).

The boys really liked the suspension bridge, and always noticed when we pass it in the car.

We stopped at DQ on the way home and ate blizzards...this was snickerdoodle and it was delicious!!

Another beautiful day, we went to Rend Lake after church to enjoy the bike trail, walk, and play.

After walking and riding, the boys threw lots of duds and played on the rocks for a while.

Benjamin is so creative, look at his artistic leaf creation :) We are so thankful for the beautiful places we got to enjoy this summer, and for fun times with Mark and Betty!