CVE Storytelling Festival

Ryder was up for another new adventure at school.  CVE participates in the district Storytelling Festival which LVE didn't.  Ryder was excited to try it and learn how to do it.  They held workshops during lunch for one week teaching the kids how to perform and tell a story.  Then came the practicing, practicing, and more practicing.  Each time he tried different ways and tried to slow down.

Finally the big day arrived and he was ready to get it over with.  His group was "Fairytales" with 15 kids set to perform.

All the kids did really well.  There were a few with nerves, forgetting the story, and even talking way too fast.

They had great participation but only 3 from each group would move onto the district level.

Ryder scored 32 points out of 40 not quite enough to move on but enough to encourage him to try it again next year.  He learned one thing to get a longer story.  You can only stretch a story so far.

Happy Birthday!!!

It was time to celebrate Dave's birthday.  Turning 52 wasn't as easy as he thought.  However, the rest of us weren't going to let him not celebrate or be miserable.  We did have one problem his work schedule.  He had to be at work at 3:00 so to late for lunch and too early for dinner.  

We had to come up with a great plan......

We were going to surprise him with dinner at Sandstone Cafe.  Maybe bring yummy treats for him to eat later.  Pick up Reganne from soccer, pick up Rylee from home (breaking her away from friends), and finally picking up Ryder from swim team.  We made it with minutes to spare.  

Surprise!!!! we did get a smile out of him.  We got a bigger smile by promising not to sing to him.  He gave us all a quick tour of his new shared office space and shared cupcakes from his team.

Dave may not like getting older but we sure do love him and hope he celebrates many more birthdays.

Weekend with Cousins

We love it when we have company because we get to play and not do chores.  That is what the kids all believe.  We gave them a small reprieve and took the kids to the Children's Museum.  I should say Ryan took them all until I finished a few chores around the house.

How many pennies??

Kid Round up
Do we have everyone?

Another one joins the group.
Still one missing

Running or rather chasing each other.
While the adults looked for Rachel.

Everyone was soon corralled in one spot.  Time for lunch and hopefully some relaxing time for the adults.  There wasn't much relaxing time to be found with 8 kids, 3 dogs, and 4 very tired adults.

The visit was way to short.  We are really glad they came and spent some time with us.

CVE Choir Fall Concert

Ryder once again surprised me by joining the school choir.  He swore that he would never, ever, ever do choir like the sisters.  He decided to give it a try and tried to convince his friends to join as well.  He wasn't very successful getting his group to join.  He did end up with 2.

They go early to school on Tuesday & Thursday to practice. We were excited to finally be able to hear them and see what they have been working on.

These guys look like trouble.

Good size group.

Ryder & Jace

Ryder & Reegan

They sounded really good with all their hard work paying off.  They have to perform for the school tomorrow for all of their friends.  Ryder was able to do a narrator part as well.

The MacPhersons came down for their Fall Break so he had an extra large cheering section.  I am not sure whether the kids thought it was fun but we are glad they came.

Double Game Week

It was going to be a busy week with 2 games 7 & 8 rescheduled for the same week.  The girls were excited to play after a week off.

The first game was versing Cima @ Sullivan Soccer Fields.  Reganne's was Forward Position.  She was off and running trying to follow the other girls and duplicate what they were doing.  Our girls always try and take control of the pace.

Reaching for the ball

Getting an assist

They kept the pace steady and had their first shut out.  The final score was 3 to 0.  Reganne assisted with one goal.  There were smiles all around and exhausted.  Time to head home for dinner, shower, and bed.

Wednesday, we headed back to the fields at Little Valley for the early game @ 5:30.  This game was going to be a little harder vs The Galaxy Club.  This club can be a little difficult with rough play and rough talking parents.

Getting Ready

An Attempt or Assist?

Helping out

Reganne tried a different position tonight the Right Wing.  She was right in the midst of action and she was up for the challenge.  They worked hard against the rough & tumble players.  One girl even earned a yellow card for her efforts.  The final score was 2 to 0.

This was the final game of the fall season and we ended up in second place over all.  Not bad for their first season playing together as a team.

The girls will slow down a little after fall break.  Then it will be time to get back in the groove for tournament season.

DSU Football Game

Let's go support our local college football team DSU.  I scored free tickets from work so we were off with friends in tow.  Can everyone have fun and enjoy being outdoors?   

Walking through the gate we were greeted with pink t-shirts for everyone in support of breast cancer awareness.  Next up choosing our seats.  We saw the student section by the band and cheerleaders and a lot of open seats.  We were ready for some fun.

Reganne & Alyvia
Being patient and maybe looking for cute boys?

Smiling and waiting

I forgot one minor detail sitting in the student section.  Student language isn't always the best or the cleanest.  We did get to play with one of their dogs.  The game started out one sided and by the second half it flipped to the other side with out much chance for recovery.

It was a fun night out with all the kids and we got nice pink t-shirts out of it as well.  Also, what better way to get to know your kids friends the having fun with them.

NICU Reunion....Staheli Farms

Another reunion with a morning full of fun in the sun.  The girls declined the invitation to go with us so we headed off.  Ryder has been waiting patiently for his turn to go to the corn maze and try his luck getting to the end.

Our 10 year old graduate

Can these guys get us through?

We are off...

Found the center...
Now can we find our way out?

Other fun activities...
Corn slide

Water trough slide

Competition with Dad

It was a fun morning full of dirt and corn dust.  Ryder had a great time playing and enjoying the treats.  The most amazing thing to me was watching all these families that have been touched by the NICU and all their tireless work each day for these tinny babies.  We are still to thankfully for our caring staff 10 years ago.