Visit from Ted

Lucas got to bring home the class bear Ted last weekend. He really enjoyed having him for the weekend. He brought him to soccer and to church on Sunday. I honestly do take pictures of the other kids too. I feel like I have to qualify as it seems like most of my pictures are of either Lucas or Tristan!


Lucas, Ted & his classmates


Lucas has been watching his brothers on the sidelines for years so he was so ready to play soccer himself. He loves it. He askes me almost daily if it is Saturday yet. When I tell him, no it's Monday you still have 5 days left - he'll remember and do the countdown.



Lucas & Ted



Chandler playing goalie during practice - although he knew I was taking photos so he started messing around.

I signed up to be the soccer coordinator for Lucas' age group this year. Mostly because it saved me the fee for 3 football (soccer) players and 2 football (flag) players! It's not so bad, the people are very nice and the kids love playing each week. It's a little easier since we practice for 45 mins, then play a game for 45 mins only on Saturdays. It's a little harder because I have to be there from 8:30 to set up every Sat AM and Football isn't over until 3pm! A very long day. So far it's been great - mostly because it has been so pleasant out there, but today was the first day in a while it was wet and cool. Winter is coming!

We are starting a 5 day weekend tomorrow - it is already parent-teacher conferences if you can believe it. We're going to try to do something fun tomorrow like Legoland or Chessington World of Adventures since all of my appointments are Friday.

Lucas' teacher is really cute - she sends out newsletters every week (most teachers send a weekly one here, plus EVERYONE is on email here so it makes life a little easier - at least to contact people!) I love it. But she sent this great quote I thought I'd share:

"Speak softly and sweetly. If your words are soft and sweet, they won't be as hard to swallow if you have to eat them."

September

Geesh - you'd think I had 5 kids or something....I can't seem to get back to my blog on a regular basis - I think it is mostly because it takes so long to download my pictures. I'm thinking hard on switching to my mac webpage because I can just "drop" em in...

School has been busy for the kids - it is amazing how much paper the kids bring home - with all 4 of them having homework and projects, math, papers, PE, art, music - it's too much to keep up on!! But it is all good. Tonight is back to school night for middle school - some how I have to visit 14 teachers since both Cman & Tyler are in middle school....you are supposed to go to each class like the kids go to them, but Mike is in Amsterdam so I have to do both by myself...isn't there a clone or way to split myself? Where is one of Harry Potter's magic potions???

Mike's parents were here with their friends the Gledhills - Marylou & Pat have been friends since they were 5 years old - how neat is that to have your best friend around for 60 years? So fun. They arrived, then went to Ireland for a few days - came back - the last couple days I took them to Windsor Palace and Buckingham Palace for the State room tour, queen's museum & Royal Mews... full days.

Cman got a camera for his bday - so I think he & Lucas were playing with cameras - so Lucas took pictures with my camera - thought you'd enjoy his 5 year old eye....



Windsor Castle - the Queen's weekend diggs



This round turret was built 800 years ago but added in thickness over the years to fortify the castle


Queen Elizabeth's Coronation Carriage - In the 1700's it was built for 8,000 GBP...




In front of Buckingham - yes Tristy Lu went on all the tours as well!


Lucas' cool lunch box


The handy radiator

Photographer Cman


My Italian Purse

Cute kids


You can't quite see them - but her cute little sockies match too....

Happy Birthday Chandler!

I can't believe my little man is 11 years old!

Here are some things that make me smile when I think about my #1 Son.

He is turning into the kid that other kids like to hang out with - his siblings might have other thoughts on that but that's what I see.

Chandler is funny and animated - he always has an analogy or story for all of his stories! He is also very sporty - we bought all new Catchers gear for him this summer so I cannot wait until Baseball season to try them out!

Chandler is very thoughtful and I love that about him. He thinks of how other people feel and senses things other kids just don't.


I love that he is musical - he has really taken to the Clarinet!
(Windsor Legoland in August)

I love to watch old movies with him. He loves my favorites - Adventures of Robin Hood, Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Stalag 17 - this summer I thought he was ready for Kelly's Hero's so we watched it together.

The boys Cub Scout Pack got to watch The Changing of the Guard INSIDE the gates at Buckingham Palace - no cameras allowed inside, but they were so lucky!!

Chandler has changed the last few months - he's growing into a nice young man instead of my sweet little boy. He always helps me when I ask (with much less groans of denial), he's in middle school now as well, he loves adventure and he'll try new things. He's a really neat kid and I'm so lucky to be his mom.

I love you Chandler! Happy Birthday!