RUSH Soccer

We spent our Tuesdays and Saturdays this fall once again at the soccer fields. It was Olivia's first season on her own soccer team and Ben dusted off his coaching hat to lead the Blue Zoo to victory. I think Olivia liked the idea of being on a team more than she actually liked playing soccer, but every once in a while she really felt the passion and went for it. She loved going to practice with her "Daddy Coach" and was proud when it was her turn to bring the snack. She scored her first goal while I was out of town and sadly missed it, but Ben promises it was awesome and she was very pleased. By the end of the season we were all glad to hang up Livi's tiny cleats and cheered when she received her first medal. I think we are going to take the Spring season off from soccer but predict more soccer in Olivia's future.





Ben and I made a tough parenting decision regarding Belle and her soccer team this season. She was invited to play in the U9 league (a level up) with an advanced team who happened to be coached by a good friend of ours. We worried that she would not be able to keep up or would get too discouraged and get turned off from the sport. This team would practice for 2 hours a week and would attend a mandatory hour long professional practice as well. We decided to leave the choice to play on The Dream Team up to Isabelle and ultimately she chose to accept the challenge.


Belle put on her tough face (does she have one?) and pushed herself harder and harder each week. Ben and I were shocked at her progress and she just seemed to get better and better. She loved her two hour long soccer practice each week and was excited for the games on Saturday. She had a great time playing with Abby and Karly and made some other good friends on the team over the weeks. Coach Jason and Coach Chris took a special interest in her and by the end of the season she was one of their go-to defensive players. She understands all of the positions and you can see her quick mind always thinking as she rushes around the field getting into the correct spot for each situation. We were so proud of her season, her bravery, her commitment and her attitude and she definitely rose to the challenge. Belle always wishes to be more athletic, and maybe her wish just might come true. She is already registered with the same team for the Spring.


Go Olivia! Go Isabelle!

October Happenings

October is always a fun and busy month. Not only does it kick off the holiday season, but the weather almost cools down and Fall sports are in full swing. Between ballet, soccer, church, school, pto and homework we hardly have any free time. But we always find a few moments each day to let loose and have some fun. I really am enjoying both the girls at age 7 and 3 and know I sound like a broken record when I say that I wish I could freeze them in time right now. They are my best little pals and I love being their mom...even most mornings when they want to play at 6:00am. Happy October!

I'm a witch ch ch, I'm a witch ch ch...

The older I get, the less I enjoy Halloween. It is the first holiday that I almost feel grinchy about. I guess I really am getting old. Either way, kids love Halloween and I remember being so excited for the big day too, so we got all dressed up and celebrated for days!


Livi and Leo made yummy festive cookies to get us in the sweet spirit and we enjoyed our traditional Dinner in a Pumpkin at Grammie's one Sunday afternoon. The girls both wore fun costumes to ballet class and enjoyed a treat from their teacher the week of the 31st while dancing to spooky music and we had fun at our Ward Trunk or Treat as well as our Neighborhood Party a few days before the actual holiday. Ben and I even got a sitter and went as Batman and Robin to an adult costume party one night. We bought lots of pumpkins at a local church and carved our version of a kitty cat and a vampire jack-o-lantern. They were moldy by Halloween night but we lit them anyway and the girls were so proud.


The highlight of our spooky holiday was definitely the girls fabulous costumes. Olivia decided weeks before October that she wanted to be Dorothy and Grammie worked her magic and made the most beautiful dress. Livi was in LOVE with herself and was by far the cutest Dorothy ever to Trick-or-Treat. Isabelle decided to also follow the yellow brick road and was so pleased when we found a huge and fluffy Glinda dress at The Disney Store. Alee and I put our heads together and created an awesome crown and Belle looked perfect as the Good Witch.


Like years past, the girls were one of the first in the neighborhood out and about ready to gather candy but also one of the first to call it a night. Livi made it to about 20 houses and Belle maybe 30, before they were both back sitting on our driveway passing out the candy in their own baskets. Before too long, we were tucked in our cozy beds and trying our best to NOT dream about any of the spooky things we had just seen. RIP Halloween...until next year.

Flying and Forty!

When did everyone around me become so old?? Not only did my mom turn 60 this year, but my sister Tara turned 40! What? I feel like they are 45 and 28. (Although that would never be possible.) Lucky for me, I got to celebrate with them and only had to turn 34 myself.



The three of us hopped on flights to NYC for a weekend of celebration and had a fun (and sometimes sort of wild) girls weekend in the Big Apple. We missed Alex on our adventure but kept her up to date with pictures and texts and bought as much stuff for her as we did for ourselves. We shopped on 5th Avenue, tried our first Crumbnuts, jogged through Central Park, shopped some more in the Fashion District, ate Magnolia Cupcakes, acted silly in Times Square (so we basically fit in), went to Newsies on Broadway and had such a good time! We walked and walked and ate and ate and just did whatever we wanted for the weekend.


I am so glad that I have such a stylish, smart, beautiful and kind sister and that we could sneak away for a few days of "big girl" fun...even if she is officially over the hill. Happy Birthday Tara!