Cade's Soccer Game

When Cade was little I was so sure that he would be an amazing soccer player. He loved soccer balls and could kick well even before he was 2. I couldn't wait to sign him up. Let's say his soccer skills are less than stellar. When he is "playing" all that runs through my mind is "la,la, la, la, la". Kick a soccer ball? You must be joking. That would require getting near the ball. Kick a goal? Why would I want to do that? Why have we kept him in soccer? For one thing, I hope it clicks for him. Then there is the fact that he has a fantastic coach and a fantastic team. If we take Cade out for a while we would not be able to get him back on that team. Cade really enjoys playing with his soccer friends. Cade likes being out there. We will see what we do after this season.

Here are a lot of pictures, but they truly show Cade's personality. Cade tasting the wind - It was sooo cold and windy.
Cade warming up with Granddaddy
See how Cade is watching the action - or not
Cade trying to keep his hands warm
Cade's coach "helping" Cade play

Cade being silly with his friends

Cade doing a silly run - does it look like he is involved in the game?


Where are all the other players? Oh that's right, they are by the BALL

It looks like he is about to kick the ball but the ball just wandered near him
Once again, behind everyone else

He does have fun
More silly running

Run, run like the wind!

Dylan's Soccer Collage

Can you tell that Mark got a new camera?

First Soccer Game - Dylan

Dylan has been wanting to play soccer for a long time but this is the first season that it has worked out for him. He has been sooooo excited and sooooo serious. I thought he played really well especially since it was his first game ever. He had a great time. It was a long hour for Mark, me, and Mark's dad because it was bone-chillin' cold!! That is why Dylan has the pants on under his shorts.

Teachers

Rhonda was her name. I remember her always sitting quietly at her desk with her head down. She was the kind of girl who tried to hide behind her bangs. She rarely spoke, and only if it was required. She rarely moved. She wanted to disappear. My classmates and I were just 7th graders but somehow we knew that she had enough abuse in her life and she didn't need any more. Kids can be cruel at that age, but we never teased Rhonda. We tried to talk to her but she did not want to be seen so conversations were impossible. Eventually, she just existed around us. One time she wet her pants in class. We all figured out what had happened, but we all pretended not to know. That compassionate teacher made up a reason for all of us to leave the classroom so that she could help Rhonda without embarrassing her. Kindness. Then there was another teacher who was not so kind. We were in science class when the teacher made a statement then she asked Rhonda a question from the statement. Rhonda didn't know or didn't have the strength to answer in front of an entire classroom. She remained silent. The teacher told her the answer and then asked the question again and still Rhonda remained silent. The teacher proceeded to berate her and finally ended with this gem, "Rhonda, a tape recorder is more intelligent than you are." I could never look at that teacher with respect again. The power of words.

Then there was my 4th grade teacher. An excellent teacher. We would beg to be able to play the vocabulary game on Friday. Fourth graders begging to look up words in a dictionary! How did she do that? My 5th grade teacher had a way of making you feel that you were distasteful to her, but she taught us a lot. My high school English teacher was excellent. She expected good work from you with no excuses. She gave difficult assignments that taught lessons that I still use today. Every time I write "a lot" I think of her. She always stressed the fact that it is 2 separate words, not "alot". It is hard to even make myself type it the wrong way. Teachers matter.

My boys have been so fortunate to have good teachers. Chase's Kindergarten teacher was wonderful. She made him feel so special and taught him to love learning. (Thanks, Danielle) Plus, he thought she was pretty and he has always been a sucker for a pretty girl. Chase and Dylan had the same 1st and 2nd grade teachers. Both of them are amazing teachers. The kind of teachers who love their students. They see their students' strengths and they have an amazing ability to help students' overcome weaknesses. I hope my boys always get teachers that help them to learn and teach them kindness.

Of course, the most influential teacher of my boys is me. I can't say that I am the best teacher all of the time. Just today I hear Chase telling Cade "Cade, your shoes are right here" in the most annoyed tone he could muster. Did I teach him that tone? At times I have to finish some work and the boys want my attention. I send them away - What did they learn? I hope in the end that my good lessons build them up more than my less than stellar moments bring them down. There are so many things that I want them to learn.

Anyone else want to share memorable teacher stories?

Nate at School

It was very hard for me to send Nate to MDO this year, but I needed the time to work. I put him in one day a week but I was so behind in work that I started him twice a week in January. He really likes going, but I miss him during the day. He has wonderful teachers. One of his teachers is nice enough to email pictures that she takes. Here are some pictures of Nate at school. Nate with his classmates on Valentine's day (see all the pink and red)
Nate at the Valentine's party

Nate's teachers say that he is the only one in the class who can balance on this butterfly. The other kids see him do it and they try to do it to but only Nate can. This was on pajama day.


Nate with the firefighter
Looking at the firetruck

Uh-oh, we might just be in trouble when he gets older :)
What a gentleman

Nate with the police officer.
The teachers have taught the kids a chasing game. They all run in circles chasing each other. Nate's teachers say that he is the fastest one. Speed does not come from my genes!! He must have gotten that somewhere else.

Please Call the Fashion Police

Dylan has had a "unique" sense of style lately. Chase can't stand it, he thinks it looks so bad. That secretly makes me laugh because someday Chase will look at the pictures of his shaggy hair and realize that it is not so stylin'. This outfit below was particularly fashionable. Note the 2 small handmade shirt from Kindergarten coupled with the denim shorts and knee high socks that he originally had pulled up to his thigh. The perfect ensemble for soccer practice. Better yet, it was really cool this day but Dylan insisted on wearing this. He may never have a girlfriend!

Nate and the Kitties

Nate loves the kitties. He especially loves Ash, our gray kitty. He has learned to be wary of Biscuit (Biscuit has a bit of, shall we say, personality). Nate doesn't pet the kitties, he loves on them by resting his cheek on their fur. Well actually just on Ash, Biscuit doesn't allow such affection. It is super sweet and cute. When Nate sees a picture of a cat in his favorite book, he leans over and puts his cheek on the kitty. Sweet baby. Nate playing with Biscuit. This is a safe distance!
Nate loving on Ash, a very good kitty.
More loving on Ash
Nate looking at his favorite book. He would love for me to read this book to him all day. When I try to get up I am met with "more, more, more, more"
Nate loving on the kitty in the book