Being a Soccer Mom

It's that time again!!

Nate started a new soccer season a few weeks ago. He plays every Tuesday & Thursday from 6:30-7:15 pm. He has had 5 practices in a row, and this past Thursday, he finally got to play in his first game! (I think he was getting a little bored with the practices - I mean, hello, this is his 4th season playing so he knows what he's doing, ha! And to tell the truth, I was getting a little bored of watching Red Light, Green Light, and Sharks & Minnows!)

Anyways....

He has a few of his buddies from last season on the same team again: JJ, Mason, Alex, and "the ringer" Trek. Plus there are 2 new boys that seem really great so far. Yes, our team is stacked! :)

He is on the Jaguars this year, and since they have brand-spankin' new black jerseys, I thought we'd have a little fun at the first game. I got all the parents & siblings to wear black, in support of our team. And I bought some eye black for the boys to put on their face and look "extra tough." It worked and they all played great!! We "won" the first game like 10-5. (They don't really keep score but that was my count at least.)

Nate still prefers to play defense over offense, which continues to make me proud because that was my specialty growing up! I also think him hanging back a little more is fitting for his personality because he is just still not as aggressive as the other boys and wants everyone to have a turn, follow the rules, etc :) A part of me still hope he tries to venture to the front of the pack this season & attempt to score a goal, but in the meantime, he's happy every time he "blocks a point" and so I am too.

I have SO many fond memories from playing soccer as a child, and I hope Nate will too. There is nothing like seeing your child play (& excel) at a sport; I feel such a sense of pride at being "just a Soccer Mom!" :)

Wellness Check-Up

Nate finally went in for his 6 year old check-up today, and we were relieved to find out he didn't need any shots!!! Here were his stats:

Weight: 45 lbs (44th percentile)

Height: 46 inches (55th percentile)

Yes, our boy is long & lean (just like his Daddy)! I am actually very proud of his growth; this is the first time in his life he has been considered "above average" for either weight or height, ha!

The good news: he is super healthy and the doctor was pleased with his exam, stats, etc.

The bad news: he did NOT do well on his eye exam so we will be headed to a "real" eye doctor soon. This comes as no surprise since Greg & I both got glasses in elementary school (nerd alert!). Stay tuned for that update....

Labor Day getaway

Last weekend, we took a mini-vacation to Asheville, NC for four days!!! It was over Labor Day weekend, and we met my whole family as well as my aunt/uncle/cousin & husband & their 2 kids there. My sis found this A.M.A.Z.I.N.G house for us to enjoy!! Thank you Bec :)

 It was perfect....plenty of bedrooms & extra space to hang out (think: game room, play room, huge back deck, 2 sleeping lofts, and an extra large basement)! Not to mention the swingset, fishing pond & dock, trampoline, small "beach" area, and fire pit. The kids were in heaven!

 And then there was the gorgeous surroundings and being in the mountains. I was hoping for "hoodie" weather, which didn't quite work out, but at least it was 80 degrees with NO humidity. A welcome change for us coming from Alabama.

My cousin Betsy! Love this gal! (She & her fam drove from Ohio)

Anderson enjoyed the trampoline for 2.2 seconds

Imitating Mommy's cheerleader jump. I pulled a muscle as a result. (I AM OLD!)

I "popped" Abby a little too hard on the trampoline. This one ended in tears, oops!

Nate (6) & his cousin Ollie (4.5) enjoying the game room. Air hockey, pool, and ping pong! (Even the adults got to have fun out here after the kiddies went to bed!)

Shortly after we arrived on Friday, Greg needed a break. What else is new!?

Baby Anderson thinks clothes are optional at all times! (Just like his Momma was at that age.)

Sweet cousins: Abby (3.5), Henry (3), and Anderson (1) getting squeaky clean

Ready for their first night in the sleeping loft!!

Morning kisses from Poppy. Abby insisted on getting dressed with her hair did at 7 am

Nate & Ollie doing Legos "in private" (aka - one of the sleeping lofts)

Abby & Henry with their own version of Legos

Ollie (& his dad Charlie) caught the first fish!!

Poppy giving Nate his first fishing lesson

These boys were absolutely precious together. BFF all weekend!

Abby had to get in on the fishing action. 

Looking through Grandma Briner's old jewelry; Abby found a few keepers!

We let the "big boys" skip nap and they had a movie date in the basement instead (and yes Nate is wearing Abby's "princess" snuggie!)

Cousins!!! (Bday party for Lora's boyfriend, John, on Saturday night)

Bec & Mike

My Uncle Tom & Aunt Melissa

Is it time for cake or what!?

John and his cheesecake platter

Bets & sweet Henry with some Sunday morning reading

Bec found a great local park and look what they had! The largest slide known to man

This park also had the best climbing tree ever!

Daddies with their kiddos

We decided to let the kids cool off at a Splash Pad in downtown Asheville before heading back to the house. Abby needed a little convincing at first; thank goodness for Nanny!

Ninja Nate

The highlight of the kids' trip: roasting S'mores!!

Clearly Greg was not enthused about this. He is not a fan of marshmallows! 

John & Lora

Poppy caught the biggest fish of the weekend!

Typical Abby, doing a dance routine with no music

The whole gang!!

Sweet cousins (minus Baby Anderson)

What an amazing trip, and a big thanks to Bec for putting it all together! Can't wait for another family reunion in Gatlinburg 2014!!