soccer saturday

Yet another soccer saturday for the wardlings.  Josh's game was first. I must say that our overall impression of the MSA (McLeansville Soccer Association) isn't a good one.  However, this is giving our children a taste of soccer and giving them good practice. Josh's team was a man short, so he had to play the entire game. He did really well for being the best striker on his team. His coaches haven't taught his team anything. There is one big boy on their team that was playing goalie. He didn't know that the goalie could touch the ball with his hands. I was on the sidelines giving him pointers. (he kicked 2 balls out of the net...at least he protected the net.) Josh's team lost 2-0. After the game, Clyde brought over the snack and the coach said good game.  Clyde said no way. These children need to learn fundamentals. I think that by not teaching them the basics, it is hurting them in the long run. Most of the children don't understand the rules of soccer let alone how to play. However, we are way proud of Josh and his ability to run and run and run.
     Jacob's team was next. Jacob was striker as well. What an aggressive little boy we have. In his league if your score twice, your goals no longer count. Jacob's team scored the first goal and then shortly after Jacob scored a goal. He was adorable. He jumped up in the air, with one arm extended. So adorable.  Jacob's team won 4-0. He ended the game playing defense and the aggressiveness didn't end. But again, the actual coaching and telling of the rules aren't in the vernacular of Jake's coach either. Penny fell asleep during the game before Jacob's.
     Libby's was the final wardling game for the day. Her game started while Jacob was still playing. She is getting alot better at not being afraid of the ball flying at her face. She and another girl from our ward kicked each other going for the ball, leaving them both limping. Libby had a swollen ankle by Saturday night. There are only 2 teams in Libby's league and this game was tied 2-2. The first one as a tie as Libby's team has won the past two games.
    Clyde is hysterical on the sidelines, watching his babies play and screaming at the refs and coaches. Being a soccer coach, he has determined himself to not coach as these coaches do. He is also determined to set the wardlings up for successful playing, teaching them moves, rules, and plays. It would just help to have a person to actually pass the ball to in a game. Maybe we could talk Clyde into coaching the teams for the wardlings in the near future. thought on that Clyde??

fall at the brown house 2010

The changing of the leaves have begun here in the Emerald City. I just love fall. It is my favorite season.

Today was our ward's Primary Program. This by far is my favorite Sunday of the year. Being behind the scenes in years past has really helped me to appreciate the work that goes into a Primary program. Having the big girls be too old for primary, I am really appreciating these last few years with our children in them. Josh and Penny were open for parts, but this year Jacob was nearly relieved not to have one. He sat in the front row, making faces @ us about the whole time. Penny made me cry. With her speech apraxia, speaking is very difficult for her. She has so greatly improved.  This year her part was..."We have a Prophet on the earth today. His name is Thomas S. Monson." and then something like I am happy to follow the Prophet. Another little girl had already said Penny's line and the music began to play for the children to sing a song...however Miss Penny marched up to the microphone @ the pulpit and said her part with Cathy's help. (music still playing) I could totally understand every word she said.  Both Clyde and I had people coming up to us after the meeting telling us how moving her part was.  Penny is such a sweet spirit. She works so hard with her speech. I am constantly amazed how far she has progressed.  I am very thankful for my children. They totally bless our lives. 
     Josh last year around Christmas time, had given a talk in Primary.  It was on Jesus and being a good example.  As it turns out, each of our ward's primary leaders individually remembered Josh's talk and knew that they wanted to have him give it again for the program. I'd say that this years program was a very touching one. Thanks ladies for all your work!

under the lights

 Libby and Penny wanted to match for school Wednesday (10/20). They chose to wear the flirty skirts that Auntie Jewel made for them. Cute girls!  That same day was the Middle schools football game @ the neighboring HS under the lights.  The school had a big pep rally and the head football coach gave Clyde his jersey to wear as a joke. Clyde wore it with pride! ha ha!

soccer

 Josh and Jacob missed their first soccer game, because they had gone with the fellas in my family to Rockingham to see the race.  So when this past Saturdays game day approached, we were all very excited. I checked and rechecked the schedule. Josh's game was first @ 12:30. When we arrived at the field, Josh ran down and learned that a new schedule had been passed out and that he had missed the game.  Clyde and I were very upset.  We went to talk to Josh's coach and she looked dumbfounded that we called her out on not letting us know about the game time switch. She has our number but thought that since Josh had missed the first game and the last practice...due to being in SC with Papa, he didn't take soccer seriously and didn't call.  WHAT?! I do take partial blame in not calling the director, because I didn't have the coach's #. But seriously, if boys aren't at a practice...CALL THEM to make sure they will be at the game or to see what is what, or if the schedule has changed...CALL YOUR PLAYERS! I just felt terrible for him. He is such an awesome player and to see his heart so sad, broke mine. (At Tuesday's practice, the coach ran up to Clyde giving him a new form. tee hee)

 Jacob's game was an hour later and it was cute to watch this swarm of children chasing the soccer ball. Jacob had played rather hard before the game and was a smidge tuckered out.  Needless to say that he will be resting before his next game, in the morning. Clyde was so cute cheering his boy on.  He couldn't sit in the chair...he would've run out onto the field if he could have.

 Then there was Penny who made time to roll down the hill and then later take a nap in my lap.

 Libby's game was an hour late, because the coaches from Jacob's game were the ref's in Libby's. Once the game began it was great. Libby however, ducked her head when the ball came to her...such a girl.  We gonna start throwing soccer balls at her head so she isn't afraid of them.  Meanwhile our boys and a whole gaggle of boys were playing soccer in the field behind us.  Towards the end of Libby's game, our ball that the boys were playing with was kicked to the players side of the field.  Libby's coaches took the ball away from the boys. This was not gonna fly.  I went over to the coaches, got the ball, and tossed it back to the boys.  Libby's coaches began to give some lip, telling me not to give it back.  A bit of Julia Sugarbaker came out and told them that they were going to play with the ball and pretty much dared them to take it away again. So- Saturday I yelled in the faces of 3 coaches. Maybe I should feel guilty?  na.

My first impression of this soccer league isn't a good one.  Very unorganized.  Very amateur. Good practice for the Wardlings though.  We'll see how this season turns up before agreeing to participate in the spring's season.
this is just for giggles...

super grover

When we returned from SC, after Ed's surgery, it was during spirit week for the girls. This day was super hero day and Libby and I came up with a super Grover costume. She was adorable. Rock on Libby!

quintuple bi-pass

Two Sunday's ago we got a phone call from Becki, Clyde's Mom, telling us that Ed (Papa) had a heart attack.  He was in the ER in Myrtle Beach.  We waited all day, even left church early, not knowing what to expect.  Turns out after some extensive testing, that he had some serious heart problems.  We left the Emerald City Monday morning to head down to Charleston, SC where he had been transferred to visit with him before surgery. Talk about scary. The good news is that after a quintuple bi-pass, he made it through.  We love you Papa and hope that you heal up fast! (Clyde took this photo after surgery in the ICU recovery room.)

15 already?

 Earlier in October was my 15th reunion from HS. I didn't go to the 5th because as luck had it, I gave birth to Josh the night before. I wasn't planning on going to that reunion anyway. So when the 15th was proposed and my friend Marie said she would drive in from Ohio, I agreed to go.  I loved seeing Debbie and Marie...the highlight of the evening was just chatting with them.  The reunion was held in downtown Asheboro in this cool building that was just a dumpy thing 15 years ago. Old is the new new these days.

 These were the classmates that attended. In 1995, we were the biggest graduating class and that was small...something like 150ish or so. And yes we three are all talking to Daniel. He's last name begins with a C so we spent some class time together for years. Nice fella. (not hard on the eyes either.) love you Clyde!! It was nice to see my classmates and to see what they were up to. One of them was my baby brother's teacher in Middle School. Crazy.

The Wardlings hung out with Bubbie and PopPop and were not accustomed to staying out later than 8pm. They were lightweights when it came time to the drive home to the Emerald City. Thanks Mom and Dad for all your help with them that night.

josh was 10...

...a month ago. With a few of the happenings here @ the Brown house, I had failed to upload pictures.  I cannot believe that Josh is 10! He and Jacob shared the puppy as their big present but he was also given $ from Bubbie and PopPop, along with Grammy and Papa!  He spent a few of his dollars on books from Ed McKays  and his elementary school's book fair. He is saving the rest for something good. (I don't think he knows what that good thing is yet, but when he does, he'll have the money for it.) We gave him a Sims DS game, which seems to be a big hit. Happy birthday (even though this was posted way late) buddy!!

deathly hallows

I first read Harry Potter when I was in labor with Jacob. I was hooked. I had waited, as I tend to do to, to read the series until I had the majority of the books in my hand. I like doing that so I can go from book, to book, to book without all the wait. That year for Christmas, Clyde gave me HP 3, 4 and 5. I had to wait like everybody else for 6 and 7. I really enjoyed the series, as did my family. We can't have a family get together without speaking of Harry Potter. I am thrilled to post the video below, simply because I am so excited to see the film. I am debating on re-reading HP and the Deathly Hallows, just to brush up. I have done this is the past and have been disappointed with the film because of the lack of detail. For example, I am today still very angry that in HP The Order of the Phoenix, that the film makers neglected to add the howler that Aunt Petunia receives from Dumbledore. So maybe I'll wait to reread the book.

cousins @ the race

My Dad wanted to treat all the boys in my family to a day @ the race track. Clyde and the boys left bright and early last Saturday to meet @ the Cecil farm. The men... my Dad, all my brothers and their boys, along with my 3 fellas headed to Rockingham for a double header. The little boys had fun, but not as much fun as the big boys. Thanks Dad for the special treat.

new headwrap

It is that time of year again to make some warm things for the Wardlings.  I love making these headwraps. We get loads of compliments on them.  Penny's pre-k teachers both made comments on this one the morning she wore it to school, again after school, and then again the following day.  I know what I am making them for Christmas! The headwraps are so handy to have, especially when you wear your hair in a ponytail. I like them because they keep my girls' ears warm.

scout carpentry

someone forgot to brush his hair

This picture says alot about our mornings this week. Josh put on a fleece hat that morning at breakfast and then took it off in the car on the way to school.  He looked hilarious.  There is a no hat wearing rule @ the school, and thus, once we arrived, I had him run into the bathroom to wet his hair down. He was a bit embarrassed about his hair, so he had both his arms covering his head when he walked, with haste, into the school's bathroom.
As of this week, getting dressed, fed, with teeth brushed, hair brushed/ styled, socks and shoes on, while making sure there is a snack in the backpack, along with the previous nights HW, and lunch packed in the mornings, is proving to take more and more time. I find myself losing patience with the goof balls that are under 5'5" who dwell in the brown house. Afterall, they have gotten ready for school now for several weeks and for a few of them, 5 days a week, for many, many years.  They should be in a routine by now.  When in reality, the opposite is actually happening.  The boys are wrestling instead of brushing teeth, Penny is pouting over hairstyles and which back pack to take to school, we can NEVER-eva seem to find one of the gazillion hair brushes that we own, and I am having to repeat myself 3+ times (sometimes loudly) to get their rears is gear. Why is it, that when you need your child(ren) to hurry, they slow down? and then when you need them to slow the crap down, they speed the crap up? I find myself getting onto them for not finishing the steps of completion...ie...once you are finished with your HW, put it in your folder, then put your folder in your backpack, and then hang your backpack up on the hook, the special hook that I placed on the wall JUST. FOR. YOUR. BACKPACKS!!!  This is not a new concept. However to them it is as if everyday is the first day they are seeing this routine.  Everyday I am making them return to 'finish' their steps.  Getting old wardlings...getting very, very old. I hope that next week will prove easier than this week.

eyes

Both Libby and Jacob have been complaining about their eyes lately. I called their opthamologist this morning to schedule eye appointments.  The earliest they can be seen is in January 2011, 4 months from now. Let's just say we will be keeping that appointment because who knows when they can be seen again.