Lots of Firsts

Though this is definitely not a first for us, it will however, be the first time we will not have a baby born in Texas (Oh, how we will miss our delivery nurse, Ruth)!! We are SO excited to be adding another little one to our family. We found out as we were in route from Texas to Chicago (on the 4th of July while in Utah) about the fun news and we couldn't be happier!  Telling the kids was so fun. We started having the kids help us take things out from our storage in the basement like the high chair, changing pad, baby bath--then Sydney asked, "Why are we getting all this baby stuff out?" "Funny you ask that question, Sydney..."and then we told them the exciting news and they were bouncing off the basement walls! We can't wait to meet this cute bundle around March 3rd.

The week before school officially started the kids were able to meet their teachers for the first time. We met up with some new friends and walked over to the school together for the big event. We were all pleased with the teachers they were assigned to and who they'll be spending their time with and they were even more pleased with the ice cream pops that were passed out afterwards.

August 22nd was the first day of school. The kids were excited to put on their new back packs and new school outfits.

These pictures were taken from our back yard deck.

The kids were so happy to have their Dad home for the morning to help send them off to school. I was too!

The kids couldn't wait to WALK to school for the first time. Our house backs on to this sidewalk. The bridge takes us to our friends house on the other side of the neighborhood. We walk just past the bridge and the school is literally right there! It's not even a 3 minute walk! I love being this close to the school---especially when winter hits!

Sydney with two of her new friends from church. They made the morning more fun to enter the new school in for her.

Spency was just ready to get the day going! I have been so impressed with how well these kids have handled this whole moving thing. They have jumped right into making new friends and adjusting to new things. I really am so proud of them!

After sending the kids off to school I raced Jeff to the train station (so glad that guy was home for the morning--too bad he has to show up at places like work). Then the two girls and I were off to Target for a few needed items. My friend, Saryn, likes to snag my camera to fill time.

Sometimes I don't even realize she's had it. She'll use it and then put it right back into my purse where she found it--kinda sneaky like that. And then I get to find  pictures like this... (and there's plenty of them, believe me)!!

So, normally on the first day of school I get together with friends from Texas and we make cookies with our non-school aged kids for the kids at school to come home to. This year it was just the two girls and me. I did have to text my friends and let them know I missed them on First Day of School Cookie Day! I think we did a pretty good job though with the cookies the three of us conjured up. We even made some banana bread.

Oh, Shayla? Where are you?

The school day was a success! These two came home with happy faces and hungry tummies. Good thing we were able to take care of that one! 

Not only was it the first day of school, but it was also the first day of the soccer season! They don't mess around here. There's no transition into school and THEN into soccer time. Nope, they just jump right into both on the same day! We had a little after school time, catch up on the day, have a cookie or two, change into soccer gear and then squeeze in a small dinner before we're off to the soccer fields.

The way soccer works here is the girls play on Mondays and Wednesdays and the boys play Tuesdays and Thursdays and that's it. No weekend games! It makes for a busy week Monday thru Thursday, but I think the system is pretty slick! The fields are right here in the neighborhood, just 5 minutes away--love that. The kids wear their uniforms each time they play wether it's practice or a game. Fridays and Saturdays are used as make up game days (for rain outs or holiday). The only tricky part is the day the girls play, Sydney and Saryn are on complete opposite fields so I'm either splitting the two or Jeff and I switch when we can, other than that, I'm a fan!

Spencer plays for Team Germany. He hadn't gotten his matching gold socks yet, just in case you were wondering...

I love the concentrating tongue shot! It makes a difference, right?

Saryn plays for Team Netherlands. This was completely a last minute decision since she didn't want to play until the day of--so we signed her up--the day of. And I'm thrilled we did because that girl can hustle!

This was when just Spency was playing and Jeff came straight from the train station to the fields. The girls were so excited to see him so they ran to greet him. (Uh..this was taken after the excitement). Saryn was off playing with a bunch of girls who bring purses, lip gloss and play phones to occupy their time while their brothers work hard on the field. 

Sydney plays for Team Argentina. I'm so glad she decided to play this year. She's really working hard and putting lots of effort into the games! I'm proud of the big strides she's making!

And do you see someone else familiar in these pictures? Yes, that would be the very love of my life! When he's not on the sidelines watching, he's out there refereeing! With his Ute hat and all!

I love that he got caught into this!!!

There you have it. Lots of firsts this year for our family.