Soccer's Swan Song

Our ward and Richmond 2 (we are in Richmond 1) joined to do a soccer league for three age groups.  I see posts from cousins about soccer and it makes me feel ill.  It's so much practicing and sitting in the heat--this one started in October and went through last Saturday (just 6 weeks) and it's a little practice followed by a little game--all on a Saturday morning.  PERFECT!  Eli loved it (never got tired of it or burned out) and it's FREE! And stress free.  We were so glad to participate.  Plus the girls had fun at the park and I had fun seeing all my friends from church.  Win, win win! 

Here's Eli getting some instruction.  

 Big Girl Emmy walking up a storm... With double fisted capri suns.  Silly kid!

 Drinking her spoils.  Note the UT chair.  Never can start the indoctrination too early.  Haha.  Seriously though, Whit got an A&M one for him and a UT one for me.  And he got my mom an LSU one that turned out to be a kid chair.  Dora says that one is hers.  Geaux tigers?

 Eli is in the back.  He's always waiting for someone to "pass" him the ball.  Apparently there was much discussion of this move.  It's not been often executed.  I don't think he's well suited to bunch ball.  Maybe he will shine a bit more next year as people get a little more ... pass-y.

 Emmy walking around town.  That kid.  :-) So happy she's finally on the move.  (On her feet, not shuffling on her knees).

 Okay, this was the shot of the month for sure and Whit got it.  Can you just feel the glee Eli's got here as his name is called for his medal? Good grief, that's one excited kid.

 Proud as punch. We sure love you Eli.  :-) No photos of Dora.  She spends all her time chasing puppies to pet and at the "playground" about 100 yards away.

Eli's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play and Parade

They did the cutest little play in Eli's class at school.  He was one of the "Indians" instead of one of the Pilgrims.  I think everyone was one or the other.  He did have a few lines though.  He's on the back right in this shot, but I wanted to show how cute their little costumes and backdrop were.  They made them for themselves! 

 Obviously Eli was having a good time.  Those two boys around him are his two best pals.  Gavin and Jeremiah.

 Dora was having a fun time watching.  She went with me, but Whit stayed at home because Emmy was asleep.  Whit had taken the girls to the zoo that morning so Emmy was SO tired.

 Every kid said their lines SO SOFT you could barely hear anything.  Except Eli.  He belted his.  I was so proud.  ;) Notice now that the Mayflower landed the backdrop changed.  Pretty cute.

 Being goofy during the last song.

 My little angel waiting with me for the parade to start.

 Eli was so excited to have a potato turkey float for the parade.

 The Shephards and Ostler's kids are in kindergarten at Frost with Eli so we formed a little cheering section.

 Here he is on the second pass.  Yes, they did a victory lap! Haha.

 Can you tell he's proud!?  Happy!? That's my sweet little guy!

 Nana and Lerdleluh had a printing crisis so they missed the play but they made it just in time for the second parade pass.  Dora was excited to see them too!

 That night the kids had fun playing (all three) in the backyard plastic fort.  It made me wonder--I think we may need a bigger "playground."

 Look at big girl Emmy! Walking and playing with the big kids!

Isadora Elizabeth in the Pumpkin Patch

This post could also be titled my delinquincy as a mom!  I know everyone does pumpkin patch photos of their kids in the Fall... I have always done a few at least up until now! But I was so pregnant this year and it was still hot in Texas and Eli was in school all morning... so I am sorry to say that despite my best intentions... I didn't get any!  Dora's school had some a photographer came by and took.  SO I have a few of Dora.  I kept meaning to find an afternoon and take all three kids--but it was always so hot and I kept thinking I could do it later.  Now it appears all the pumpkin patches are pretty much shut down!  I feel pretty bad.  

Nevertheless... here is what I was able to get.  Isadora Elizabeth in the pumpkin patch.  I vow to get all four next year! :-)

Poor Dora had TWO cute pumpkin patch outfits--both of which had long sleeves, so she ended up wearing this cute little Halloween shirt my mom got her instead because it's short sleeved.  Gotta love Texas weather! ;)

Emmy in Purple

I LOVE THIS LITTLE GIRL FROM HERE TO JUPITER AND BACK.  She is so dang cute.  I feel bad because I just don't take enough photos of her.  There's too much other stuff going on.  So I tried to make up for it a bit on Saturday morning.

 This is my favorite photo of all.  I think she looks so cute!

 Also I fiddled around with editing software a bit.  Whatd'ya think?

 I love her fluffy hair!!!

 Also this little baby LOVES her blanket.  It's so cute--she snuggles it all the time!  Thanks for making them Lerdleluh!

Happy Halloween 2012

Halloween is not my favorite holiday, I will admit.  I don't think it teaches any good values and I don't think it really adds much.  I feel like it revolves too heavily around greed, selfishness and candy.  However, I am not a complete dud of a mom.  I get my kids costumes every year and we participate in all the activities.  So here are a few obligatory shots of Halloween, 2012.  Much fun was had, by kids and even by their mom.  

First we had Eli's Carnival for School.  It was really well done.  I wish I'd taken more photos.  I managed to get like 2 I think.  Ha!  Eli and Dora had a ball.  There were a zillion little games and booths and since you pay for Eli to get in, once there, it's all free.  

Here's Whit dressed as a "Baker" which makes a little more sense when you see my "costume" later. Eli is a Jedi knight (he could not decide between Luke and Anakin because although Anakin is cooler--he becomes BAD which Eli is very sensitive to... so we opted for a generic Jedi knight.)  Dora is a "butterfly princess" and Emmy is a Kangaroo.  She wasn't a big fan of the hood but she loved the baby kangaroo in the pouch.  

 We then headed over to the ward Trunk or Treat.  That was also extremely well done and the kids had a wonderful time.  I would have had a more wonderful time if there was less standing or I was less pregnant! Haha. But it was great to see the kids having fun.  Here are two Oldroyd girls I ran into at the festivities.

 Okay here is me and Whit.  He's a Baker--and my shirt sign says "Bun in the Oven."  A little tacky, I know, but we thought we had to do it at least once and I don't plan on making any more children after this one!  You can see the bouncy house behind us.  That thing was a tremendous hit with Dora (and Eli liked it too.) You can see from this photo that as an accessory to Emmy's outfit, we brought Kanga along.

 Happy Emmy with her daddy.

 Eli insisted on a photo in this thing even though he could not quite reach the hole! Emmy timed out shortly after this, so Whit took her home and I stuck around with the kids so they could do the trunk or treat.  They had a wonderful time.  Also, I didn't get photos, but Clinsey came, which delighted my kids to no end.

 Here we are at Clint's house for Halloween.  Yes, I know this is lame, but I am a "Stuckey."  Having been one in the past, I thought I'd wear a "Stuckey's" shirt and be a Stuckey for the night again for Halloween.  Also I was handling all three kids alone since Whit was working so we're lucky the kids made it to Clint's to trick or treat in costumes at all, let alone had a mom who was wearing something acceptable! I'm operating on base level here right now, so few weeks before Baby 4 comes!

 My little butterfly and Kangaroo again.

 My dad came as Darth Vader to Eli's Jedi knight.  Eli was excited.  Emmy was a little scared of him though! I think the progress he's made with Emmy was set back a bit by the whole thing.  Haha.

 Here they are coming out of a few houses.  You can see the sugar induced joy.  (Seriously though, they hadn't actually even eaten anything yet, but there is some real glee on their faces.)

 Dora insisted on wearing her new boots.  She looks like a punk rocker.  Haha.

 Colin rode this bike like a pro the whole time.  That kid really zooms.

 The crew leaving a house.

 My parents pushing the little ones.

 Getting a little hot.

 Happy Halloween.  :-)