It's October

Wow - it's already October. The boys seem to be enjoying school. Evan's 2nd grade class just finished a safety themed unit. Their class got to visit with firefighters and a firetruck, paramedics and an ambulance, a police officer, a K-9 trainer, and a SWAT vehicle and policemen. He loves math and reading. He's been coming home singing songs that he learns in class and in music. He has a great memory! Michael's 5th grade class just started book reports. Of course he read the entire book the first night. He's also loving math, reading, and social studies. Oh, I can't forget science. This is a new subject for them this year. In previous years, science was incorporated in sections. This year, they actually have a science block of time daily.

Last week Michael got his bands changed on his braces and he was given yet another stronger wire. He chose the lovely colors of yellow and black again. He said he'll change the color once soccer season is coming to a close. His team is yellow :)

Michael shows off his new bands and wire on his braces.

This week, the cub scouts had a Pack Meeting. Matt is the cubmaster of the pack and is giving out the awards that the boys have earned. In the pictures below, Michael and Evan get awards and shake the cubmaster's hand :)

Evan takes his soccer pin and shakes his dad's (also the cubmaster's) hand.

Michael shakes his dad's hand while getting one of his activity pins that will go on his scout colors.

Webelos Cub Scout Michael salutes by the flag.

Wolf Cub Scout Evan gives a cub scout salute in front of the flag.

Soccer season continues. Evan's team is on a winning streak. They've won their first five games of the season. His team has three games left until the end of the season. Evan loves to play defense, but also is good at offense.

Evan tries to gain control and possession of the soccer ball.

Evan dribbles the ball around the other team.

Evan concentrates (see - his tounge is sticking out) as he moves the ball away from the other team.

Michael's soccer team has won three games, lost one and tied this last game. The pictures below are a series of shots of the same play. Michael played goalie again for half of both halves.

The other team shoots the soccer ball at the goal. Michael is at the correct angle to stop it, but the ball swings around him. He runs to grab the ball, but it's headed towards the other corner of the goal - in fact, it's going to hit the goal post corner.

The ball bounces off the goalpost corner and it is definately going to head into the goal. Michael jumps onto the ball to stop it just at the line, before it crosses the goal line. Stop the ball at all costs!

Michael is absolutely thrilled that he stopped the ball from going in the goal. You can see the look on his face! If the ball had gone in, the other team would have pulled ahead and won the game. This was a good moment for Michael! He was very happy with his performance.

Michael gives the ball a great boot down the field so his team can try to score again. Unfortunately after a number of shots on goal, they just can't get the ball in again before the end of the game.

Michael is currently attending an after school capsela class (currently being offered for TAG kids). He loves building things, figuring out why things do and don't work and spending time with his friends in the class. He's also going to be attending a chess club after school. The club is first opened up to TAG kids and then filled with other kids after that. Myself and another parent are going to "host the room" once a month (that's what we're starting with this year) all school year long. Did I mention that I do not know how to play chess? I'm going to hopefully learn the basics before the kids do. There is a great website that teaches you how to play chess. I'm currently working my way thru the process.