October Soccer

As October comes to a close, we are beginning to experience the kind of weather that makes me not unhappy that soccer is about to move inside.  Two nights this week, I picked up Emily from practice in the dark, temps below 40, winds blowing.  A true indicator that she loves the game is that she never complains about practice, never complains about the games, regardless of the temperature.  Last weekend, she played a game in the freezing, pouring rain - and but for two missed PKs, played very well.  She's had a couple of rough games in October, including one that landed her on the bench for all but five minutes of the second half, but she's bounced back and is hitting her stride once again. The missed PKs led to a lot of tears after the game - but as I told her, she left it all at the field and played well the very next day.

She sometimes plays defense for CFC, and I love watching her throw ins. 

Corner kick 

Emily and Abby played all but the last 7 minutes of a CFC game, helping lead their team to a nice win.  We then drove to a Magic game, 45 minutes away and again, they played their hearts out.  They pulled out all of the stops in both games.  So proud of these two and the leadership they are bringing to both of their teams this year.

Even though Magic lost this game, I think that this was one of Emily's best games of the year.  She didn't start, having been benched the day before, but once she got in the game, she made the most of her time on the field and was only taken out for a few minutes the rest of the game. 

About to score from outside the box. 

You can just barely see the ball at the top of the photo. 

Do The Right Thing

Our final cross country meet of the season was Saturday and while there were a lot of personal bests and great performances, one moment really stood out.  Several of the girls on the team met one of their male teammates as he struggled through the last 1/2 mile of the race and willed him to the finish line.  It was a beautiful moment for those of us that witnessed it, but we thought that it would be just a warm memory from the season.  That child's mother, however, contacted the local news, and they carried the story, interviewing her, me and the kids last night.

When I saw this video for the first time on Saturday night, I just sat at my computer and bawled.  

I took this photo because I was so proud of these girls and knew this was really something special.

For those of you keeping count, this is Elizabeth's second time on the news in the last three years.

As one of the coaches, I was interview for about ten minutes.  I must not have said anything very interesting, because I didn't make the cut and the focus stayed, as it should, on the kids.  I love this photo of my kids watching me.

Could the girls be any more pumped. 

I received this beautiful text this morning.  Made my heart just melt.

The full story, on Channel 3, can be found by clicking here

Beau's Life

It's been a little over a month since Beau came into our lives and he has changed dramatically already.  He no longer cowers at any noise; is a world class snuggled; and recently found his voice, regularly barking during the witching hour (late afternoon through early evening).  He loves to go for rides in the car, although he still struggles getting in and out of our vehicles.  He definitely does not like to go for walks in the cold or rain and returns to his skittish ways when walked without Baxter.  From what we can see, he is no longer chewing on the furniture, although he will go to town a box if we leave one on the floor.  And be certain not to turn your back on food, or he will figure out a way to get it right from under you!!  Beau is fitting in just fine.

He refuses to leave Baxter's side (unless it's to go for a ride in the car).  No matter where Baxter is in the house, Beau finds him and squeezes in next to him.

Literally on top of Baxter, sleeping in a chair.

Post-walk snuggles.

Beau's life.....

September Odds and Ends

Very few that didn't make a September post:

Craziness after the Labor Day tournament. 

Elizabeth attended her first ever Bat Mitzvah. 

Picture day! 

And we've added a new instrument..... 

Fall lacrosse.

IDS Invitational

Our second cross country meet was last Thursday and our team had a great showing.  The boys placed third out of nine teams, and they were only beaten by two very large schools.  Two of our boys placed in the top ten, which was awesome.  Our girls placed fifth out of nine teams.  Elizabeth was our first finisher, in a disappointing 28th.  She went out way too hard, although she still ran a faster pace than last week's race and had a faster time than last year on the same course.  Everyone on our team ran faster, which was great for all of us.  Looking forward to the final race of the season this weekend.

The girls cross country team. 

Elizabeth finishing strong. 

Elizabeth and Katie - best of friends, but rivals today.

Columbus Day Classic

Emily played in the CFC Columbus Day Classic over Columbus Day weekend with her premier club CFC. This is a huge tournament, spread out over several towns with hundreds of teams participating.  The weekend weather could not have been worse.  Although the ran held off for most of Saturday, it rained through her last game late Saturday afternoon and absolutely poured through two games on Sunday.  She had a 7:30 am game both mornings, which was tough (up at 5:45 and leaving the house when it was still dark).  Her 06 team's first game was against her team from last year and it was brutal.  I wasn't there (coaching cross country), but it was a bad loss. Emily can be a bit of a head case and playing against her former team really took a toll on her mentally.  She played better in their second game (which they won) and after resting a bit, went to play for the 05 team, where she had an assist on the only goal of the game.  On Sunday morning, her 06 team held it together quite well for the first half (down only 2-1 at the half) and then fell apart in spectacular fashion in the second half, for another brutal loss.  After a 45 minute break, she played for the 05s in torrential downpours, and played very well.  They won 3-0 (without their two top scorers) and earned a spot in the championship game.  The other team then forfeited the championship game because they felt that the fields were too dangerous to play - it was an anticlimactic way to end the tournament, but I think that overall, she felt good about how she played (other than against Sporting).

Magic teammates, opponents for a game.  Kudos to my friend Kate for getting this photo - Emily wanted no part of this picture, she was so upset about the loss.

I could barely hold the camera steady, it was pouring so hard and I was shivering so much.  Hoping to get better photos next weekend. 

Much to her dismay, I made her wear a poncho before warm ups for the championship game.  She was so embarrassed, but all of the parents (not kids, of course) were telling her how smart she was and how she must be staying so dry...... 

Abby and Emily sporting new tournament sweatshirts.  Note: Emily seems to be taller than Abby in this photo, although Abby was taller than Em in the summer.  She has recently started eating us out of house and home and this photo was taken after she inhaled an 8" roast beef grinder for lunch.  We are really hoping that she's having a growth spurt.

The 05s got their medals at practice last night and pulled Emily and Abby away from their practice with the 06s to make sure that they got their medals and were part of the team photo.

Sweet medals!

Wickham Park Invitational

Yesterday was the Wickham Park Invitational.  Due to various circumstances, I am actually coaching the middle school cross country team this year, which has been an experience.  About half of the team was able to run this weekend (we lost several kids because of the holiday weekend) and almost all of them were new to the team, so it was their first race.  And the course at Wickham Park is very difficult, so I was a bit worried about how the team would do.  I wrote each runner a personal note and gave it to them at practice on Thursday - apparently, all of them read it because they couldn't wait to tell me that they beat the goal that I set for them.  I gave each runner a goal - keep up the strong running, try to run the whole way (no walking), etc. - and a time that I wanted them to strive for.  I was particularly demanding of Elizabeth and a couple of other runners that I know can do well.  I took 30 seconds off of Elizabeth's time from last year and set that as her goal - and she crushed it!  She ended up running 1:02 faster than last year, which was so great.  All of the kids did so well and I am so proud of them for showing up, overcoming their nerves, running a good race and finishing strong!!!

The girls at the start line. 

Elizabeth working hard. 

At the finish - she was trying so hard to catch this girl. 

Most of the team (a couple of boys had already left).

One of the other moms was able to get this video of Elizabeth as she ran up the hill to the finish line.  She was so mad that a few people passed her, but she had nothing left, which is exactly what I wanted.  So proud of her.