Soccer...Take One

We're right the middle of Noah's first soccer season.  Oh, I love being this kid's number one fan!

There was lots to learn as the season began.  I noticed immediately that Noah's ability to respect other's space was carrying over onto the soccer field.  So, along with dribbling and kicking, we've worked the 'contact' part of this fun sport.  This is one time it definitely is o.k. to run into others a bit!  Sports, so far at least, are also a fantastic social outlet.  Noah loves making new friends -- on his team and the opposing one. 

Every game, every practice, Noah improves.  It's just fun to watch that growth and development.  Most games Noah is pretty content to run with the pack. 

But he's becoming more involved and getting his foot on the ball every game.

He is also a kid who loves a good water break.  No complaints from this guy when he's called to sub out.

 

He's got a lot to learn, but he's already learned so much too.  Focus, sportsmanship, trying again (and again and again) and just simply giving your best are all traits I've been trying to teach since he was just a little guy.  I love that it's just being reinforced and further taught as we embark into the world of sports.  I thought being a player was fun, but this role of soccer (or t-ball or whatever other sport is on the horizon for us) mom is even better!

Field Tripping

It's only mid October, but Joy School has been full of field trips!  So far we've made visits to Apple Hill, the fish hatchery, a pet store, and the pumpkin patch.  Getting out with these kids to explore and learn is always a fun time.  We joined up with another joy school group to visit High Hill Ranch at Apple Hill.  Look at all of these cute almost kindergartners! (and a few siblings as well.)

We lucked out that the field trip was on the one and only cool day in September.  Trading shorts and t-shirts for jackets and jeans, even just for the morning, felt so good!  Those jackets came in handy when we got to go in the huge warehouse where all of the apples are stored.  The kids loved seeing their breath, and I loved learning that they can keep apples fresh for a year in there.  Amazing.

I call this guy my seventh joy schooler.

So far I've taught four weeks of joy school, and he's fit right in. What a difference a year makes.  Instead of trying to get my attention, he's sitting on the carpet and raising his hand to participate.  It's just darling.

A few more Apple Hill pics:

 

For the past month two of our joy schoolers have been out of town.  It's made taking a quick field trip really easy.  Wendy took the kids to the fish hatchery, and for our 'all about animals' lesson, the kids and I took a thirty minute walk around the pet store. 

Just this week, we took a trip to Zittle's Pumpkin Patch.  Look at those pink cheeks.  It was way too hot for October.  Oh Fall, where are you???  Fifteen minutes into our walk around the pumpkin patch both boys were asking when we would be done.  I kind of felt the same way.  Could we please just get out of there?  But we lasted through a tour, hay ride and choosing a pumpkin to take home.  And I even squeezed a smile out of these guys before they headed to the car without hesitation.