Oh yeah, soccer season ended...

So, many weeks ago, the boys played their final weekend of soccer.  I don't miss the running around to practices and coordinating attendance at 4 different games at at least 2 different locations, that's for sure.  Pretty sure we saw improvement in all the boys.  Or, at least they had fun, which is important, too.

Liam-got more confident with his playing.  He is quite the good little passer and helped get the ball to the right player to score a goal.

Happy that he got a medal!

So many possibilities on these empty fields....game day at Noblesville.

This is a picture of one the last games Cale played this season.  He was matched up against that big orange guy in the picture.  Orange was a good player and Cale's job was to keep Orange from going up the middle of the field to score.  Mission accomplished.

Ewan's team finished with an 0-whatever record.  They won no games.  They might have tied one.  Should be interesting to see how the team looks in the spring.

Cale's team came through and won their division!  Those boys were super-excited.  As was their coach.  These kids played so hard and deserved this.  Of course, Cale was thrilled.

And, there we go.  Soccer is behind us and we have already started basketball season.  The never-ending sports cycle continues.

Stories from my phone-rest of August recap

It is quite the luxury to be able to sit down at my computer and update this poor blog.  And, it's a beautiful day-I have the windows open!  Kinley is chilling in her chair, watching a show and the beasties are all enjoying an afternoon snooze.  And, before I get up and start checking more things off my to-do list, I will tell you what we've been doing recently.

First-karate promotions for all the boys.  We got back into karate after spring soccer and the boys have been working hard these past couple months.  Promotions were mid-August and all the boys did well.  Marcus was nervous that he wouldn't promote, but he did do a great job!  Of course, fall soccer will keep us out of karate until October.  So goes life,

Marcus receiving green belt.

Cale gets his green belt.

Ewan earned his blue belt.

Liam got his orange belt.  He was sooo excited. Since he started so little, he has taken longer to earn each belt.  I say an orange belt at 7 is pretty good.

Some proud boys there.

Kinley gets a lot of alone time with her best friend-Mommy.  This was a day we biked to the coffee shop and had a cinnamon roll.  That was the first day the temps weren't kill-me hot and before the monsoon season started here.  We haven't been out much on our bike.

A random-"what is this plant" picture.  This thing stands to my thigh and was from a mother's day gift from preschool.  I transplanted the whole pot of little wildflowers and this dude has really enjoyed the horrible soil in my flower bed.  Its stem is like a trunk.

Because I like being super-busy and because I knew they would love it-I signed the girls up for dance lessons at a place 10 minutes from our house.  Here is Kinley on her first day.  She loves her teacher and loves to go to class.  Kella does, too.  I just don't have a pic of her in her dance outfit yet.

Some of Kella's writing.  The two girls in the picture are Kella and her cousin Cassie.  Apparently they are party girls.

Here's Ponyo.  It was national dog day.

A typical Saturday at our house comes complete with 4 soccer games at 2 different fields.  Let's see-Ewan plays U10 on the Ravens, Cale U12 Zardes, Liam U8 Sounders and Marcus U14 Sunderland.

And, on Saturday, between 4 games, Andy had time to go to the store and find a dog to adopt.  Because we weren't busy enough already.  His name is Jasper-a 9 month old Viszla mix who was not well loved at his previous house.  Ponyo has allowed him to stay and be the second dog.

A picture Kella drew of me and her.  I love it!  This little girl is a very, very good artist for being 5 years old.  I think Kella drew this as a thank you for finding a dance leotard to wear to class until the backordered one comes in.  And, I got her some nightgowns.  She was in heaven.  (and, I found these things at the consignment store=jackpot)

I think Jasper likes it here.

And, now you are caught up.

from a long time ago.....

Look what I found saved as a draft.

A long time ago, the Ewan and Liam had a soccer recognition night at a high school soccer game.  The whole family went.  I would say most of the kids had fun.  And the older boys actually watched some of the soccer game.   

Kella made a new friend-a little guy who was in love with her.  We were sitting on the bleachers and I looked over to see this little guy looking up at Kella and Kella looking down at him.  These two ran around together until it was time for Kella to leave.  Young love.

"Look at your mom and look like you're enjoying this soccer game."

More of the buddies.

Marcus, looking happy. He did have fun.

Kinley, crushed that we not give her anymore candy.  Or let her climb a ladder to and observation deck.  Six and half dozen the other.  Everything hurts her the same.

The soccer kids and the soccer team

Liam running out.

Ewan running out.

The tunnel the kids ran through.

This may be the only soccer picture I take all season

Soccer has started.

The boys are all playing soccer this fall.  Hey, it's good to stay busy, right?

4 boys=4 teams+6 practices+4 to 6 games a week

Did I mention that Cale and Marcus play at a different soccer club than Ewan and Liam?  

With a full week in the books, I am exhausted to say that every boy got to every thing they had to get to.  

Soccer season runs through mid-October.

The very, very end of spring soccer (in June)

It's raining, pouring actually.  

Kind of reminds me of those pop-up Florida showers.  

This rain will do nothing for the humidity.

Andy and Marcus are at a scout activity shooting things, painting things and eating lots of meat.

Kinley is napping.

The rest of us are watching a B rated movie called Soccer Dog.  Thank you to our library for carrying this fine title.

Last Saturday was Marcus's final soccer game of the season.  The game had been post-poned due to rain (surprise) and it took a couple weeks to reschedule.  It was a tough game for the boys.  Some of the players were not there-you know, families made plans thinking that soccer would be over at the end of May.  The temps were hot.  And, I don't usually complain, but even I thought the reffing was sub-par. 

Oh well.  

Anyway, the boys lost 1-2, and, even though I would have like to see the team make it to the championship, I was pretty happy to pack up the van after the game.  No more soccer till September.

Now, for some final photos of the team.

This team has played together so well.  Most of the boys have played together for both the fall and spring seasons.  Marcus had a great experience and some great coaching.

Last thoughts from the coach

dog pile!

Me and Cale, watching the game.  Cale was really paying attention since this is the league he will be in next year.

rec league soccer is over!

I have the computer to myself. 

 In the car. 

 At Marcus's third to last soccer practice.  

Time for a new blog post.

Here are some pics from Cale, Ewan and Liam's last soccer games. Rec league ended last weekend in between the girls' birthdays.  The boys played great, got awards and we even tried to go to a semi-pro soccer game that day.

Ewan, right after a kick.  One of the fastest kids on his team and a good passer.

Cale, playing goalie.  He stood a lot in this game.

Liam has scored a couple goals this season.  He runs with the pack most of the time and understands the rules of the game.  And, he has fun!  What us can we ask for?

Ewan and his medal.

Liam and his medal, and snacks.

Cale, Cale, Cale.  Cale won MVP for his team this season.  His second time he won this award.  He is now the owner of 2 white soccer balls with the rec club logo on them.  Liam promptly claimed the old one for himself.  Cale was gracious enough to give Liam the ball.

And, then, to top off the day, Marcus's second game got rained and lighteninged out, as did our trip to the Indy Eleven soccer game.  We got to see about 20 mins of the game, including a goal by the Indy Eleven, before they called a weather delay and made everyone leave the stadium.  We got to the parking garage just in time before the downpour started.  Turns out, about that time, a tornado was going through a neighborhood on the south side of Indy (we were downtown).  Who knew?  Anyway, we did not stay for the re-opening of the gates which did not happen till 10pm.  We will have to try to attend a full game later.

A break from sports.  How sweet is that?