All Boys Plus One

Brett had a soccer tournament this last weekend and his team fought hard.  He had 3 games in 1 day.  Fortunately, the weather was mild unlike last week when we roasted.  During his second game they were up by several points and he yelled out at his team, "Treat every moment of the game like you are losing it." I was proud of him trying to figure out a way to motivate and communicate to his team how they should never become complacent.  In the championship game they played a team that was undefeated the entire season and had previously beaten them pretty bad.  They were up by several most of the game but they other team did pull it through in the end with some lucky shots and some bad calls.  We were proud of how Brett handled himself because he is not always the most graceful loser.  I think he had fun and he knew he and his team had performed well and hadn't given up.  It was a fantastic season.  It has also motivated Brett to put in some extra work off-season to condition himself and get stronger.  He is drinking milk 3 times a day, eating bean with bacon soup (protein) daily, and practicing either soccer drills (weaving around our forest dribbling the soccer ball) or shooting hoops.  I am proud of him.  Also, last week he had a hat trick.  He has only really scored one other time and to have 3 goals in one game was spectacular.  He is incredible at spatial recognition.  He knows where his team is and positions himself to help best.  He has also had a lot of assists.

I signed Alex up for tennis camp this summer since he has been asking for years now.  He was so funny though because he said, "Tennis should be easy...it is just like big ping pong."  I hope he still thinks it is that easy after camp.

All the kids made me lists of what they liked about me for Mother's Day this year.  Several also did poems at school and I had to share my favorites.

We fed the birds first of course. Brett was thrilled.


Poor Abby and her exzema on her face.








Once it was evening out came the holiday lights. We enjoyed the dancing lights and fake snow.

We saw Santa twice this year.  The mall "allowed" us to take our own pictures as long a I was off the red carpet.  eye roll  I love Santa.  He engages my boys and loves my kids lists and reviews with each of them. Abby became shy all of a sudden when she saw him but I guess that was better than last year when she cried.

Abby loves friends and Layla is one of her favorites.  Everyday Layla gets off the bus and goes home to do homework.  Abby goes home to color her "homework".  Afterwards, Layla shows up to play with Abby.  Sunday is our hardest day because Abby can't play.  Can you tell Abby likes to "dress up"  everyday.

I don't really have info on his trip or what most of the pictures were besides knowing that Shanghai looks very British and New York in downtown.  He also went to Tienamen Square and the Forbidden City.  So if you are not interested in the pics that is cool.  :)  He did get a absolutely overpriced Espirit beanie hat as his only souvenir because it was so cold he had to buy one for his head.  We also discovered the joys of FaceTime.  It makes having to talk on the phone much more fun.

We enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving dinner with some friends from church and Peter from Greg's work.  Peter has been unofficially adopted by our family while he is working here in an exchange program from Germany.  He's went trick or treating with the kids and has been to some of the kids games.





I thought we pulled off a pretty nice meal/evening considering I worked the night before.