Such a Busy Fall

We had a beautiful, warm fall this year.  The months of September and October were filled with warm days and comfortable nights.  We stayed super-busy enjoying it all...definitely busier than in the past.

Vera had a good soccer season.  We lucked out and had warmer temperatures, but we got caught in the rain 2 or 3 games.  I think overall Vera had fun, but I could tell her heart wasn't always in it.  It's a lot of running for little legs, especially after a long day of school.  We often had to really encourage Vera to be aggressive and go after the ball.  She did a really great job of paying attention and trying to follow the ball.  She volunteered to play goalie in one of the early games, and the other team scored 2 goals on her.  I was proud of her for volunteering and giving it a try, even if her team lost.  After the game, she wasn't upset about scoring on her and said she had fun.  Good attitude, Vera.  That's what it's all about!

Vera the Goalie

Action shot!

 We went to Ft. Loramie's Fall Festival to see Grandma and my aunts.  It was beautiful weather!

Of course, the number 1 priority was a "paint face" as Vera has always called it.

Vinners chose a puppy face, which was perfectly fitting, and pretty adorable!

Love!

Vera chose Hello Kitty, which she also had about 3 years ago at Fall Festival.  And just like 3 years ago, she cried when we had to wash her face at the end of the day.  She just loves "paint faces."

Great Grandma Otte turned 90 at the end of September.  It was 90 degrees that day.  I asked grandma how many 90 degree birthdays she's had, and she told me there's been quite a few.  Ninety years is a pretty special milestone!

The day after grandma's party was also 90 degrees.  Prior to putting on their swimming suits and having one last water fight of the summer, I let the kids paint some rocks outside.  They.loved.it!  Vince & Vera each painted 2 rocks.  Annie kept up with her older siblings, but only finished one.  Vera told me that she wrote about painting rocks in her journal at school on Monday.  It really is the simple things in life!

The 1st Graders observed Fire Prevention Week around mid-October with a visit to the fire station.  Uncle Brian was there, and shared these cute pictures with us.  It was also homecoming week, and the students celebrated with a cookout at lunchtime.  A fun day to be a first grader!

Lunch with friends outside.

So much to do at the fire station!

Pee Wee Cheer

The high school cheerleaders sponsored a Pee Wee Cheer clinic at the beginning of September.  Vera went 2 evenings in the second week of school to learn a cheer, chant and dance.  They performed at the football game later that week.  We had plans to go camping at Indian Lake that weekend with the Homans, so Dad, Vince & Annie went camping while I went to the football game.  We joined everyone at the campground after the game.

Getting ready to go!

We went to Best Bite Grill for dinner before I dropped her off.  Her smiles make me laugh.

The girls marched with the band from the old high school to the football field.  We had to talk about paying attention while walking so she didn't fall and get hurt before the game.  It's been known to happen, after all.

Vera's current close friends: Karly to the left & Cadence to the right.

These pictures are compliments of Rosie.  They turned out really cute.

It started to rain hard during their halftime performance.  After halftime, we said a quick goodbye and ran for the car because it was raining hard & we were not at all prepared for rain.  Vera had fun & slept the entire way to Indian Lake.  It was a busy week, after all.  She had soccer practice, cheer, and CCD...something going on every night.

The next day at the campground, Saturday, was Nora's 3rd birthday.  We celebrated at the campground that evening with homemade ice cream, cake and gifts.  The kids had a blast adding their own sprinkles to their ice cream bowls.  There are always things that kids are allowed to do while camping, that they'd never be allowed to do at home.  Being in control of their own sprinkles is on that list. 

We had nice weather.  It was one of those fall days where it was hot with long sleeves and/or pants and cold with shorts and/or short sleeves.  The evenings were chilly, especially Saturday night.  The guys burnt all of the firewood that evening.  There was no wood left to cook breakfast on Sunday morning, but that was ok; the hot fire felt good on Saturday night.

Happy Birthday, my sweet godchild!

The kids spent hours playing in the dirt under this little tree near our site.  Some neighbor boys joined them later in the day, and Vince loved it because they contributed more trucks and tractors.  The kids were covered in dirt by the end of the day.  Literally covered--in their nostrils, ears, hair, corners of eyes...but they had fun. 

Vinners played by himself in the dirt quite a bit.

The picture doesn't show just how dirty they were.  

On Saturday night, it started to get pretty cold by the fire.  The guys were intently watching the Buckeyes game, so we put the kids in the camper to play and keep warm until it was time for bed.  Cute picture.  Lasting memories.

Start of School

As usual, the end of summer is quite bittersweet.  Vera was excited to be a first grader, but I have to admit that I was sad to send her to first grade already.  In my mind, Kindergarteners are still babes.  They're innocent and still so childlike.  Sending her to Kindergarten was hard, but for me, first grade means Vera's really growing up.  I remember some details of first grade myself, so for me, this new school year brings the reality that Vera is truly growing up.  Tear.

Vince and Annie entered the new routine with some excitement and some reluctance.  Fortunately, on their very first day back at Patty's house, Vera was with them.  It seems that if the three of them can do something together, they all feel safe and comfortable.  Vera was excited to see the gang at Patty's house again.  It's been good for Vince & Annie to get back to a routine.  As far as I can tell, they've adapted well.

And for me, as school started this year, it was the reminder and re-realization that there will be things around the house that are neglected.  As the years go by, it's harder and harder for me to tolerate a neglected house.  I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but I've realized that a house with clutter and messy floors causes me anxiety.  During the school year, my kitchen floor goes days without being swept.  Sticky spots and crumbs stuck to my feet becomes the new normal.  Oh and the laundry...there's always a few baskets of clean clothes that await folding.  We rummage through them during the week to find an outfit, a shirt, some socks.  It's just the norm.

This year, the start of school was particularly difficult.  For the first week, I had a difficult time adjusting to Vera's routine.  She came home on the first day of school with homework already.  It was detailed, and, for me, seemed completely unreasonable for the first day of school.  Adam and I both commented that these first graders are children who've played all summer long.  What ever happened to easing in to things?  Isn't there something to be said about making these 6 and 7 year-olds feel welcome and safe before delving into homework expectations?  I will admit that I was pretty disappointed, and even told Adam at one point that, "I just don't want to do this.  I don't want to be tied to homework each night.  I want my kids to play outside together after dinner.  I want to enjoy my family and our time together."  It was a true realization that this is our life now.  Gone are the homework-free days.  As a mom, I was completely contradicting the teacher in me.

Perhaps the homework made me feel so overwhelmed because we were incredibly busy with activities in the first weeks of school.  We had soccer 2 nights per week with games starting at 6.  Vera started CCD the second week of school, which now consumes much of our Wednesday evenings.  She also participated in the pee wee cheer camp, which was also the second week of school.  We were running her somewhere every single night.  Let's not forget baths and getting to bed by 8.  My kids still require a lot of sleep.  It was a real slap in the face for us.  Even Vera told me, "Mom, I wish I were a kindergartener again."  When I asked her why, she responded, "Because I didn't have soccer and religion and homework.  It was a lot easier."  I felt the never-ending mom guilt as she said this.  I hope my anxiety and stress didn't rub off on her too much, but I know she definitely felt the blow as the school year commenced.

I realized a few things during this time...I had to start using the calendar in my phone rather than a paper desk calendar I had always used before.  (I know, time to join the 21st century.)  I couldn't keep everything straight, and needed to have my schedule with me at all times.  In fact, Adam mis-read the soccer schedule more than once.  I also realized that Vin & Annie cannot be drug to every single soccer game, which meant that Adam or I had to also miss a game.  Honestly, I feel ok about this.  Vera's always had one parent at her games, and it's good for her to realize that we cannot be everywhere.  There are other responsibilities for Adam & I.  Finally, I learned that I had to start getting up even earlier.  I get up by 5:10 every day.  I have to stick to that because otherwise, it's a complete madhouse to get everyone out the door by 7.  A rushed morning for the kids and I is a terrible way to start our day.

But, now that we're 6 weeks in to the new school year, we've adapted to the new normal.  The homework is very manageable, mostly because Vera is doing so well in school.  Soccer is coming to an end, and we will soon feel a breather in the evenings.  I know that many other first grade families felt just as overwhelmed as we did.  And I know that this is just the beginning of activities and homework.  I guess I just wasn't ready.  I didn't cherish last year's freedom enough.  Isn't hindsight always 20/20?

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Vera had a terrific first day of school.  She was so excited to have art on her first day; she loves art class!  She was also pretty thrilled to wear a dress; she loves wearing pretty clothes to school.  My first day also went well; I have great kids this semester.  Vin & Annie enjoyed "new" toys and friends at Patty's house.

The day before the first day: Open House.  Obligatory picture in front of her cubby.

Brilliant Beginnings again this year.  It's been a great fit for our needs.

Here we go, ready or not!