Noah-isms to Remember

Destructo-Boy directing Dad to get down the Lego Avatar Fire Nation Ship: "Be careful with that, Dad!"

Overheard from the solitary 3 year old as he's playing with his legoes: "Oh, my solar plexus!!!"

Friend: "Don't turn of the lights! I'm scared of the dark!"

Noah: "But there aren't no monkeys!"

I'm sure that must have been the concern...

Elise's Soccer Season

This was Elise's last and best game of the season.

Dad promised a prize if she had ten touches on the ball.

She did it, even if they did lose like 20-0 (but who's counting?(seriously, I don't know if that was the score or not but I wouldn't be surprised.))!

It was very cold that day, hence the coat.

Good job, Elise! (Don't worry, I remember that Dad still owes you!)

This Is NOT Anger Management

Henrik's mom showed me this today. This, apparently, was the note I approved Abe to deliver to his friend last night, after I had a talk with him about how to keep friends when they are angry with each other. I guess the message didn't sink in. Now that I think of it, this was the note he was writing while I was "teaching" him about friendships.

I got a huge kick out of the actual note. I have a sneaking suspicion that "Calvin and Hobbes" was his inspiration.

Don't worry, I'll be addressing the principle of the matter.

A Sandwich of Scrumptious Goodness

I had my cheese tasting party this weekend. It was delightful! Friends came and all sorts of new flavors were combined to create awesome new flavors. We went through several bottles of Martinelli's and I was introduced to Lavender Soda, which is amazing. I'm a bum and didn't get any pictures of the original food spread and fun people who came but we had an encore the following night.

Here is Grace.

These cheeses (presented on a lovely new cheese board, thanks to a wonderful friend!) are from left to right: Cotswold with Chives and Onion, Fontina, Gjetost, Basil and Garlic Gouda, and Cahill Porter.

These two are Camembert and Delice de Bourgogne.

A friend brought Herbed Goat Cheese in Peppedews. We had the option of pairing these cheeses with fruit, vegetables (think roasted red pepper and tomatoes), nuts, meat, chutneys, and jams. It was so fun to experiment. Seriously, Joe tried some cheeses and hated them but paired with a pickle or a chutney or an apple slice and he liked them!

I also made chocolate petit fours and lemon cake with a cream cheese frosting that I personally loved. My lovely friends also came bearing gifts of chocolate and ice cream and cushy socks smelly lotions and thoughtful cards for my birthday. Wow, I feel loved, is all I can say!

My old roommate from college dropped in Thursday night and helped me clean my house and make the cakes. She made it fun and I'm sure I would have been stressed out otherwise.

So, this weekend was filled with good friends, good food, and lots of fun!

And cute babies.

Soccer

Ahhhhh...

I love soccer! Abe is at an age where his games are growing more exciting. Elise is still like a butterfly flitting behind the pack, never quite landing in the action. I don't think she wants to land in the action. My encouragement for her in her games include, "RUN!!! JUST RUN!!!!" I've even bribed her with a nickel for every time she touches the ball. I think she's earned $0.15 since I offered the bribe.

Anyway, I actually brought the camera to the one game of Abe's that I've been able to watch, since Abe and Elise usually have games at the same time. It was exciting!

Check it out!

Focus...

And fun!

And my favorite picture! Look at that form! Intense!

So there. Abe is coordinated and focused. I would love to see him continue in soccer but since we're trying them all out in as many sports as possible, we'll see if he chooses to come back for next Fall's season. Pretty please?

Elise's Award

For the month of October, Elise was acknowledged by her teacher with a Leadership Award for Kindness To Others. I could not be more pleased with my lovely girl! While I was surprised by her teacher's notice, I have to say that her generosity and kindness are traits that I see at home quite frequently. So, it does not surprise me that she would behave the same way at school.

At Elise's Parent-Teacher Conference the following week, her teacher also pointed out how Elise is eager to do the right thing and very patiently encourages others to do the same. I'm not sure how to describe it, but my heart just swells with love and gratitude for my daughter as I see the best parts of her coming out in school and I love it that others notice her goodness too. I guess it validates my own observations and honestly, it validates me as a mother too.

P.S. I know the pictures are horrible. I was trying to take pictures with no flash and a grabby five month old on my lap.

Out of Place

Does anyone notice anything unusual in this picture?

Let's move in closer. How about now?

Still closer. Wait, is that a doll?

Or a sleeping baby?!?

Isn't she cute, if not sadly neglected?

How DID she get back there anyway?

Yes, she is breathing, I checked.