Last soccer game of winter season

We had our last game with the girls' soccer team this past weekend. The girls lost 4-3, but it was a good game. All the girls played really well!

Had to get a pic of Morgan and Lynnea! I think this is probably her best friend on the soccer team. Lynnea also plays on both the white and black #1 teams (and she plays on the Select team - she's busy!) They both love soccer and get along really well.

After the game, we met up with Mama and Papa at Citrus Diner for lunch.

Reflections on our first soccer season with Roadrunners... I'm so glad that we joined this club. You can see such improvement in both girls since the season started. It's been a big learning season for them. We came from the park district where although they tried to teach girls positions on the field, it was kind of a free-for-all as far as if you got the ball and could score, just go for it. Morgan was always all over the field from one end to the other. But, now, the girls are learning positions and how to stay in their spots and be ready for the ball. Learning how to pass up the field and make plays. There are 9 girls on the field instead of 7 as well. Morgan mainly played 9 and 10 (striker). Avery was defense, usually a 4 or 3. We also really liked the coach. He pushed the girls without yelling/scaring them and gave them lots of good feedback. Morgan had such a great time that we decided to sign her up for the winter league. Avery is looking forward to a break from soccer. :)

Halloween Fun

The weekend kicked off with a costume karate class! It was bring-a-friend day, so Avery joined Morgan. They were the cutest Dalmatians there! They even got to hit each other with pool noodles! (Well, they were supposed to be working on blocking them...!) After class, the kids trick-or-treated down the sidewalk while the parents handed out candy.

Then, it was off to dance class for Avery! They also got to wear costumes and performed a Halloween dance for the parents. Avery and Harper are the only two kids in the class! They did a jazz number and a tap dance for us!

After that, it was off to Erin's house for the annual Halloween/Cousins' birthday party! We celebrate all the kiddos' October and November birthdays (except Calvin who was born in May). We dressed up as Cruella and her Dalmatians this year. The girls thought I looked a little too scary!

The girls got hot in the costumes, so they didn't last too long!

My dad recycled his costume from last year!

Time to open presents!

And of course, there was cake!

Later, we turned off all the lights and let the kids go trick-or-treating around the house. I sat at my traditional post in the front entry closet - ha!

We were happy that Mama Ruth could make it to the party!

Oh and here's a little fun throw-back to when my parents used to have Halloween parties...

More Milo vs Halloween decorations!

 

White Pines

Avery spent the weekend at White Pines Ranch in Oregon, IL with the Girl Scouts. Nine girls and four moms went (2 of which are the troop leaders). They stayed in a dorm with bunk beds, ate in a cafeteria and did tons of fun activities. They went on hay rides, sang songs around a campfire, went horseback riding twice, shot archery, walked through a cemetery, looked for fossils, learned horsemanship, line danced... I'm sure I'm missing some! This is the longest I've gone without talking to her! She didn't get too homesick and said she'd love to go back! So, I'll say it was a great weekend! Here are some pictures the moms shared with us!

Lizzie, Avery and Bianca on the hay ride

Avery getting ready for the ride

Fossil hunting - Bianca, Avery and Neena

Maebel, Lila, Caroline, Ava, Lizzie, Neena, Lucy, Bianca, Avery

Maebel, Lila, Caroline, Ava, Lizzie, Neena, Lucy, Bianca, Avery

Avery and Caroline getting ready to ride

The girls ready to ride horses

Group photo with the moms!

Bianca and Avery

Country line dancing!

Another horseback ride

Weekend Fun

The girls had Friday off school for parent teacher conferences. We met with a few of the girls' teachers - Mr. Miller (Morgan's teacher), Mrs. Smitley (Avery's main teacher), Mrs. Hodkowski (Avery's 5th grade Math), Mrs. Rose (Morgan's orchestra teacher). The girls are doing great! Morgan could practice violin a bit more and chat a bit less in class, but got glowing reviews otherwise! Avery is super organized and a sweet friend to her classmates!

On Friday afternoon, we dropped Avery off for a weekend away with the Girl Scouts. This will be the the longest she's away from home without a family member! She was a little nervous, but very excited! I'll add another post with all the fun things she did while away!

Morgan got to be an "only child" for the weekend and she loved it! On Friday afternoon, she ran in the Whittier Hot Chocolate run (a PTA fundraiser). I think they were expecting slightly chillier weather, but it was gorgeous and warm!

Morgan and Rachel (her friend from karate)

Morgan, Tess, Rachel and Emma

Rachel and Morgan on the last leg of the race

Enjoying her hot chocolate and cookie

After the run, we cleaned up at home and then headed out for dinner. Morgan picked Uncle Juilo's, which is a place Avery will never let us go. She hates tacos, chips, salsa, etc. Boo! Morgan loved it! She got to watch them make tortillas!

After dinner, Morgan asked me to sit in the back seat with her on the way home. She thought it was hilarious!

On Saturday, Morgan had a soccer game for the "white" team. They won 11-2! She scored a few goals, but I missed getting any of them on video. But, I did get this effort. She worked hard to get the ball away and shot at goal, but had a little too much power on it!

On Sunday morning, Morgan subbed for the "black #1" soccer team in Wheaton. They ended up losing 0-2 and both goals were on penalty kicks for handballs in the goal box. They only had 10 girls for the first half and 9 for the second half, so no subs! It was a tiring game!

Avery got home around 1:30 from White Pines, the girls relaxed for a bit and headed off to another soccer game at 3:00. They ended up getting clobbered (7-1). It was gorgeous weather, though. Probably the last nice weekend for soccer!

Soccer Saturday

This is how it started... practicing soccer with Daddy.

Then, there was this girl who didn't want to wear a coat and said she wouldn't get cold... yep, she's wearing Mommy's coat!

Then, Morgan subbed on the Black #1 team for their game. She's #13, playing striker. The team won 2-1 and Morgan scored one of the goals! She had a few other shots at goal, but couldn't get it to go in again.

The rest of us were bundled up on the sideline!

And then, this is how it ended... such a tired girl!