Our Little Soccer Guy

Two years ago Noah gave soccer a try and hated it. He made it to two practices and two games and he was done. Last year we didn't bother signing him up and he never once complained about not playing. We thought we just had a non-soccer kid which was fine with us since Xander and Savannah have quite busy soccer schedules. However, this summer Noah made it clear that he was ready to give soccer another try, especially after all the fun he had at soccer camp. I'm so glad that he had a change of heart because it has been so much fun to watch him play this fall.

He was a little tentative at the start of the season with a bit of standing and watching. 

As the ball would come closer to him, he would start jumping with nervous energy. It was so cute to watch.

But as the season has gone on, any signs of hesitation are gone. Noah plays with fire and aggression and really throws himself into each and every game. He falls A LOT but so do all these uncoordinated little guys and it definitely brings some humor to the game.

And he has gotten a lot better! He's actually been able to score 2 goals which he is quick to tell everyone.

My absolute favorite picture - Noah's face speaks volumes to his style of play! I've got to blow this thing up, frame it, and put it on my wall!

Another Pierce kid who loves soccer (and the after game snacks!).

Homeschooling

Homeschooling! I never thought I'd be doing it and yet here I am in the thick of it. Let me just say IT'S HARD!!!! I really don't know how other women homeschool more than one child because teaching just Savannah is killing me. We made tons of adjustments in the first three weeks alone because I just really had no clue what I was doing or how things would or should go. Overall I felt like I was drowning, with every spare minute of my life spent in reading and preparation, not even counting the actual teaching time. But now, after 2 full months, I finally feel that we have a rhythm to our days and a schedule that makes both of us happy. And I finally feel that I have a little extra breathing room so here I am, updating the blog! I had every good intention of regularly blogging what Savannah was up to in her classes but since that obviously is never going to happen I will happily document, on a monthly basis, our little adventures in homeschooling.
This is a picture from her very first day. Wow! Looking back, neither of us really knew what we were getting into.

Learning about the world through the eye of a microscope.

Googie is always happy to join Savannah in her studies.

The experiments have been fun. Who knew you could get an egg to bounce?

Well, at least we got it to bounce a few times before it eventually splattered.

Observing nature in the summer.

Discussing the importance of the Laetoli footprints and making our own for comparison.

Lots of projects to help foster understanding. Here is her lovely cell model.

An up close study of the daily habits of the humongous spider who spun a beautiful web right outside mom and dad's bedroom window.

A couple of field trips including one to this amazing sunflower field.

While there Savannah did some sketching.

Writing a message in cuneiform.

Although we have had a few "moments", on the whole Savannah has been a wonderful student and we have really enjoyed this time together. She is working really hard and hopefully learning a lot. I know I am!

First Day

All too soon the first day of school was here! Thank goodness Xander and Noah were both excited to go back. Savannah wasn't too thrilled but only because we had had such a fun summer and she didn't want to see it end. A pancake breakfast, courtesy of David, got their first day started off right!

The traditional "First Day of School" picture. If only I could get the kids to stop making rabbit ears! Savannah is starting 6th grade (homeschool), Xander is now in 3rd, and Noah is a big 1st grader.

The long walk to the bus stop.

And there they go!

When I picked them up later that day they were both so excited to tell me all about their fabulous first day. Seems that the new school year is off to a good start!

Summer Highlights

All good things must come to an end, including our fun, wonderful summer. Here are a few ending highlights...

Tons of swimming fun, especially when we met up with friends!

Rocking a stylin' new hair do!

It was so cool even Xander wanted it!

Dinner and a movie at the park.

The movie showing was Madagascar 3 and even though we've seen it several times, anything is better when you watch it outside with fun friends.

Another successful Summer Reading Program at the library. The kids always love receiving a free book!

Breakfast in bed was definitely a special treat for me! What sweet, thoughtful kids.

Of course we had to indulge in an ice cream treat from Baskin and Robbins. Unfortunately their special Family Night with $1 cones is no more so this was a one time event this summer.

We were able to attend a few O's games, including Mormon Night at Camden Yards.

Noah and his cute little friend Brinley.

"Rally hats" in the hopes that our Orioles would turn it around. Unfortunately the hat trick didn't work and our O's ended up losing.

After the game Noah and his two little friends, Libby and Brinley, headed down for a closer look at the field.

They were chased back up by this grumpy man. Poor little kids!

A last trip to the "beach", if that's what you can even call this place. It has sand and water so I guess technically that's what it is. But the water is so gross that I have a hard time even putting my feet in. Oh, well, the kids love it and had been begging to go. What we do for our kids.

Enjoying the last day of summer vacation! It's been awesome!