Soccer

The BK and I are both avid soccer fans. Our kids? Hard to tell, but at this point, "avid" is not really an accurate description of their levels of interest. The LG has made significant strides, however, on a season to season comparison. This season he did actually make contact with the ball, and seemed to better grasp the point of the game. He seems better suited to defending the goal than attempting to score. That said, there was still a lot of sitting in the net and pulling the goal over, laying on the field, and encouraging team members to pursue outside interests during game time ; ) 

The Rooster is only 3, and thanks to the LG at this age, our expectations for 3-year old play had already been put into proper perspective. Rooster mostly liked the games so that she could socialize with her friends. She did not understand why anyone would or should take the ball from her, and resorted to tears at nearly every game either due to having to play, not getting to play, having the ball, or not having the ball. Even I couldn't begin to guess what was going to set her tears in motion. Thankfully, her coach was a doll, and would hold her hand most of the game, gently tugging her around to follow the play.

You may have noticed there aren't many action shots of either of them. Obi One ka PoPo, you may be our only hope ; )

Brothers

There are days I just can't get enough of my boys. I didn't say there were a lot of these days, but a few. They are tireless, exhausting, relentless, physical, and demanding. They are also buddies, and the LG has a soft spot for PoPo which makes my heart happy. PoPo has been trained to rough house by the best, and is now an unknowing tyrant with other children who haven't attended the LG's (and BK's) brutal boot camp. There is a lot of body slamming, running, and "gentle" shoving. They also love to lay around giggling, or pretending to go "night night". Pretending is the key word here. There are more than a few good reasons that these two share a room, but vastly different bed times ; )

Though, I find that I, like the LG, have a very hard time not giving in to everything this sweet face is asking for.

Here the are playing Super Mario together. PoPo always insists on pulling up a chair and watching while his big brother plays.

More of the giggling.

Lest the Rooster be entirely left out of this one, be assured that they all share special bonds. Bonds which make trouble making second nature. Here they are decorating my bathroom with 2 full bottles of baby powder. Our house is still smelling nice and fragrant, with a light coat of white dust. Ahhh, the memories.

Family of Dracula

I believe this is the first Halloween I have dressed up for since I was a teenager. My kids were pretty excited at the prospect of mom and dad joining in the fun. The LG was totally into having vampire teeth and fake blood on his face, and Rooster was thrilled at the idea of being a Vampire Princess, which she pulled of beautifully. Baby Dracula didn't need much help drawing people close enough for blood. Just don't hold me to such standards in the future.

LG's School Party - The LG has been asking about the Halloween parade at school for weeks, and I had to check my calendar 3 times on Monday night as he was convinced that Halloween was on Library Dad (Tuesday). I was nearly as anxious as him that we were missing the big day.

The Rooster and her friends all got to dress up for Ms. K. Such a darling age to dress up. She was most proud of her collar and the long sleeves on her dress that proved she was a "princess". There was a barrage of marketing thrown her way by the BK and me to get her to go along with such and un-Disney princess theme.

Other than the LG coming down with a fever and only making it about 4 blocks before hitching a ride on dad's shoulders the rest of the way, we all had a great time. I even bought back most of their candy which will mysteriously disappear ; ) Happy Halloween!!!