Happy Thanksgiving!

We headed down to my parents house for Thanksgiving this year. The boys were super excited to hit the pool and we enjoyed some quality down time.

For Thanksgiving dinner, we invited my parents 90+ year old neighbor. Beckett was incredibly sweet with her...brought her drinks, pulled out her chair, put her napkin in her lap. And then at the end of the night, escorted her home. My heart just about burst with pride.

 The boys and Macie and Cap's neighbor. They filled her night with stories and kindness. 

Beckett walking her to the front door. He's as big as she is. :-)

Here are the boys practicing their dives...and enjoying a few oldies. :-)

VERY busy week

Whew. The week leading up to Thanksgiving break was CRAZY! Our soccer games and practices have been rained out and rained out and rained out for weeks. Because of this, the league extended both boys' seasons. Beckett's last game was this Tuesday and Grant now plays into December. UGH. That being said, the boys are loving the game.

Beckett has decided to do early swim team in March, so his soccer career is on hold until next fall. Grant is committed to play for the entire year, so he will start up again in February.

 Beckett had a wonderful coach this year. Here is a picture of the moment he took with Beckett to talk about his season. It was so heartfelt. 

 Proud guy with his medal for the year. :-)

 Then the boys' school hosted their annual Thanksgiving lunch. The food actually wasn't too bad this year and it was a fun break for me during my crazy crazy days at my school.

TURKEY TROT

Friday was the boys annual Turkey Trot. This is a race that the school puts together each year. Each student runs around the school (the lap # increases for each grade level). This year they threw in an obstacle course too just to keep it interesting. :-)

Beckett was nervous to run the race alone (I ran with him last year and this year neither Roger nor I could get any time off). So, at dinner the night before, Grant offered to run with him. So both boys went into school the next day and asked their teachers for permission. Luckily it all worked out and Grant was a great big brother - stayed with him the entire time.  And then Grant got to do the entire race again a couple of hours later. He's like a machine!! I think Beckett's race was probably a mile and Grant's was probably 2.

 Pre race pep talk and strategy.

 Doing OK?

 Post race picture - special thanks to my friend Brandy for all the terrific photos.

GSA FALL CLASSIC

Every fall and spring, the Georgetown Soccer Association hosts a big soccer tournament for teams all over Austin. I cannot imagine the amount of organization that goes into putting this together. I am going to say there were over 100 teams participating, ages 8-17. And each age group usually has 2-3 teams within their bracket. It was insane. And, for the Simmons' family, what we thought was going to be 2 maybe 3 games turned into 6...and a great opportunity and compliment to Grant.

On Saturday morning, we were contacted by the head of the soccer organization to see if Grant wanted to play for 2 other teams, as well as his own, for the tournament. One of the teams was in his age bracket...so the players were all around 8 or 9. For the other game though, the team played in the U10 bracket...which means the players were 10 and under! Of course Grant said YES! And this is how we went from 2 games to 5. He played goalie for both teams and did a great job. So great that the U10 team asked him to play goalie for them in their championship game! Thus game # 6. It was crazy, exhausting, and so exciting for Grant and we couldn't be more proud of him and his hard work this year. 

Our first game was Friday night. So after running the 2 Turkey Trots, Grant had a soccer game at 6. Yep...another crazy day/night! 

 Dad giving a some last minute, pregame goalie coaching.

 Getting ready to leave the house for game #3 on Saturday afternoon. Thanks to Grandma Simmons, we have another outfit that looks almost identical to Grant's soccer jersey. So Beckett wore it all weekend to show his support of The Force.

Saturday night was absolutely freezing. The temps weren't that bad but with the 30 mile an hour winds, I was shivering through the entire thing.

 Sunday morning would not be complete without sitting on Daddy's lap watching soccer highlights on YouTube 

 On our way to get lunch before the Championship game at 4.

 The team ended up losing the game 6-4. The opposing team had some of the best dribblers I have ever seen and really deserved to win the game...it's still hard to get 2nd place. I have to say though, the team Grant played with is a team of wonderful boys and wonderful parents. Sunday was the first time Grant had ever played with them. They looked out for him (he is 2 years younger than most of them). Congratulated him on his saves. Shook his hand after the game and said thank you for playing with us. And then, for the team picture, they all insisted that, as the team's goalie, he be up front.
I was a nervous wreck for him to play in this game...way more so than Grant. We are anticipating one of the coaches calling us and asking Grant to move up to their team. Ordinarily I would say no way to playing U10, but after meeting these boys and their families, I am open to the idea.

Whew. A great end to a great weekend. Now off to Macie and Cap's house tomorrow for some down time and yummy dinner!

In closing, here is a poem that Grant wrote in school. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Fun Pictures

Here are some random fun pictures from the past month or so.

 Beckett received a Scholar Shout Out at school last month. As the note states, he stopped and looked to a teacher before running into the driveway area in the middle of their playground (REALLY developers...you thought this was a good idea because???). Anyway, with this note, his name was also read over the announcements, I received a phone call from the principal and his picture is hanging on the cafeteria wall. He is so proud of himself for "stopping and thinking". 

 Beckett's reading ability has exploded this year. When he started the year he was reading on a level 5. Now, only a month later, he is reading on a level 14! It has clicked and he is so very proud. In this picture he wanted to read to Grant on the swing....not to me. 

 Every Friday we get together with some friends for "Freaky Friday." Basically the kids run around for a couple of hours while the moms sit back and relax...and yes there might be a couple adult beverages involved. It's really fun and something we all look forward to. In this particular picture, the boys got into the girls sidewalk chalk and decided to decorated themselves as the blue team. The girls were, of course, the pink team. And then there was a bit of street wrestling. It was highly entertaining to watch. :-)

 For one day of Red Ribbon week, the boys had to dress up for the career they wanted later in life. Both said "soldier like my Dad." So Roger dug out some old uniforms. So cute.

Happy Birthday Grant!

Oh. My. Goodness. Grant is 8. I am so proud of my little man. He's kind, generous, smart, dedicated, persistent, loving, and focused and we love him more than words can express.

For his friend birthday party, Grant invited a few friends and we went rock climbing at Main Event. Then we went to a burger place nearby to enjoy some yummy food and cake. Everyone had a great time - I just love his friends.

His actual birthday fell on a Monday. So we went out to dinner and then he chose to go to Baskin Robbins for ice cream. YUM!

 My handsome boys getting "fancy" for Grant's birthday dinner. :-)

Double scoop baby! Happy Birthday Grant!!

SOCCER rules our life!

Soccer began in August and it has taken over our life. This year Grant is playing Academy level soccer. This level is more competitive - each player has a position to play, there are refs, and...most importantly for Grant...there are goalies. We play teams from all over Austin (yes sometimes we have to travel). He is so excited for this year and I can't wait to see how his skills develop over the season.

Beckett is also playing again. He is still playing at the recreational level. He has an interest in soccer, but not the love of the game that Grant has. I have a feeling it will come with time as he and Grant are constantly playing and practicing and really that's all they talk about some days. :-)

With 2-3 practices a week and 2-3 games on the weekend, we are all on board and I guess we better all love soccer! :-)

 Very proud Daddy

This was taken during one of Beckett's games. Big brother sitting by little brother, discussing the game and strategy. SIGH....love them!!

First Day of School 2015!!

I am not going to lie, I am having trouble with the fact that I no longer have a child that needs to attend Kindergarten. They are growing up so fast. And now, because of the way the school is laid out, the boys are not even in the same side of the school building. UGH. Pulls at my heartstrings...and also makes me so very proud.

Beckett is incredibly excited to have the same teacher Grant had in first grade - Mrs. Paulsen. And really, I am too. We love Mrs Paulsen and I can't wait to see how Beckett does this year - I think he is going to thrive.

Grant has Mrs. LaFevers. We don't really know anything about any of the second grade teachers, but he was excited to see a few friends in his class.

 I didn't take this one fast enough - they had just been holding hands. Such great brothers. :-)