fall break 2021

 I nearly achieved a fairly relaxing Fall Break!!!  

Oh, this face.  Love you Miss Piper!!

Happy FIFTEENTH Anniversary, my love!!  The kids had a double sleepover (thanks Nana and Gigi & Poppie!), so Rog and I had some quality time together and went out for dinner.  I am thankful every day to be married to my absolute best friend, my rock, my home.  Love you, Babe!!  Cheers to the next thousand.  Ha!

Monday of Fall Break, we chilled at home; so rare for us.  Then the kids discovered I don't know where soccer practice is (Roger usually takes them because he's Max's coach).  

Tuesday, we met up with the Cotters at Top Golf - so fun!!

Then, the kiddos convinced us to continue the playdate (with the dogs) at the Cotters' house, then Jen took the girls to their respective activities (theatre for Josie and climbing team for Els), and I took the boys home for a continued playdate.

Wednesday, my parents brought lunch and we spent the afternoon making dumplings together.  Such a special time and loved it all!!  

On Thursday, we met up with Max's friend, Addy, and her mom and sister at the zoo.  Such a great morning to be hang out with these sweet friends.

Friday, we went up to Mt. Lemmon with the Cotters and hiked an out and back for a total of about 2 miles (Bear Wallow Trail). 

Saturday was soccer - all day.

One of the grandmothers on Max's team made this awesome banner with all of the kiddos' names on it, including Coach Roger!  Both kids are looking great and loving this season of soccer.  

Then, we took the kids to their first FC soccer game - we had an awesome time together.  It was fun to cheer on FC Tucson and the entire team signed autographs for kids after the game.  

The kids loved it so much, we got tickets to the final game of the season in 2 weeks!  

we now return you to your normally scheduled fall programming

 

I might have perhaps, slightly, over-scheduled us for the fall. Maybe.  

Mondays: school, then soccer practice for both kids

Tuesdays: school, then Ella goes to climbing team downtown, and Max goes to karate

Wednesdays: school, then Ella had a clay class (that has since ended), then soccer practice for both kids

Thursdays: school, then Max stays for STEAM team, Ella goes to climbing team, and Max goes to karate

Saturdays: soccer games

Ella is also playing the violin at school in orchestra.  

Every night is pretty much a scramble to get in the shower, do homework, eat dinner and, hopefully, have some time to connect as a family (or, Ella can talk on the phone to her friends).  But everyone is healthy and happy and doing well in school, so we are thankful!  

Here are the kids' soccer pictures and Roger is coaching Max's team!  Loved that the kiddos gave Roger a soccer ball for Father's Day and agreed to play at least one season of soccer because they know how much he enjoys the game.  

Ella bouldering - I'm so proud of how much she pushes herself and has grown already!

Max is doing karate with the big kids now and loves it!

Even though Ella's clay class has ended, I absolutely loved the pieces she created and she said working with clay is her favorite medium!

She made me a birdhouse that looks like Hagrid's hut.  She used a sponging technique to make it look like there was moss growing on the roof!

The kids had to create a sculpture with their hand, and she made hers look like a tree - so cool and beautiful!

Before I left for Florida, Max was invited to test for GATE (the Gifted and Talented Education program) - on that Friday, Max called me to let me know his results.  To qualify for GATE, a child needs to test into the 97th percentile for all kids of the same age nation-wide in at least one of the following areas: quantitative, verbal and non-verbal.  Max tested into the 99th percentile in both quantitative and verbal!!  Congrats, Max!!!!!   This is a BIG deal and we are so proud of you!!  On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, he now goes to GATE with Mrs. Katami and works on enrichment projects.  He's also with one of his besties, Addy, and is absolutely loving it so far!

A few fun playdates with the sweet Dixon girls!  And probably our last swim of the season.  

Celebrating Poppie's birthday at Top Golf!  Poppie even cut down a set of his old clubs and gave them to the kiddos - thank you!!

Ella has been practicing for her class recital of The Hammurabi Laws.  She did great!!

We had two dinner parties last weekend - the first for Roger's counterparts in Germany, and the second with my parents and our family friends, Uncle Pat and Auntie Kathy.  It was such a great weekend and so good to see them!!

School picture day

Max's latest obsession: Frank's Red Hot Goldfish.  Unfortunately, they are a super limited edition and you can't find them anymore.  Glad I ordered 10 bags before they ran out.  

And, as we head into the Fall, and the temperatures start to [finally] drop, we took Blackhawk for a pre-brumation appointment at the vet (tortoises go into brumation once nighttime temps dip below 50 degrees and won't emerge until April-ish).  Blackhawk is very healthy, super-active...and a girl!  

She's ready for brumation!