September

Wow, where has September gone?  

October rolled in over the weekend bringing along lovely fall weather. 

(now to find the bin of 12 month winter clothes in the attic)

Brady loves to eat - we haven't found anything yet that he doesn't like.  But really, with a child that shoves grass, dirt, paper, fuzz and anything else he can find into his mouth, he is THRILLED when we give him something that he can actually eat. 

 Black Beans - They look the same going out as they do going in - but he loves them!

Playing inside on a very rainy day.

 Look mom, I can climb on my activity table.

We had another soccer game last week, Eamon refused to practice with his team, but with a little bribery from MamaMarie, he did participate in the game.

Family

I always find it interesting how people define family.  For instance, most companies reserve bereavement leave for Father, Mother, Brother, Sister, Child.  Most families go way beyond this...Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, In-Laws, Grand Parents, Mother's ex-husband and his family.  OK, that last one caught some of you off guard (unless you know my family).

Family is not just about blood and marriage.  

It's about connections, love, friendships and enjoying the company of each other.  

On this particular day we were celebrating Ed, Ely and Kim's Birthdays along with Labor Day.

Chip enjoying some corn that Jenni made.  

Eamon quiet enjoys this play dough breakfast maker that Aunt Kim & Uncle Alan gave to him.  It stays at Marie & Papas house and keeps him entertained for a good while.

 Emily awoke from her nap a very drowsy baby.

 We enjoyed playing games, even Alan joined in!

 Brady likes to kick back and put his feet up every now and then.

 Why yes, that is an Edgar's chocolate cake you see and of course it was delish!

 Uncle Ely was in town.  Eamon was especially excited about this.  As he told me the day before "I never get to see Ely anymore" in his pouty but demanding voice.

 Just Dance (for Kids) - Mom bought this for Eamon, but seems like the adults (ok, me and Kim) like it more.  Now we just need to get a second remote (hint hint mom) so we can compete!

All the Animals in the Zoo are Jumping Up and Down for You

A few weeks ago on a Thursday afternoon, I picked Eamon up from school and he asked if we could go to the Zoo.  He is one persistent little guy, the next morning on the way to school he asked again.  So Sunday after church we headed to the zoo.  We hadn't been in quite a while and they have opened up a new exhibit with 3 elephants. 

Pumpkin Patch

Early in the month we set out for the pumpkin patch with the Reynolds.  This is the second year we have visited this pumpkin patch and we really enjoy it.  Here are the pictures for 2010

But this year, we had this little guy in tow, or actually toddling behind us. 

He was still a bit wobbly when he walked.

The big boys rode horses.

and pet baby animals.

and climbed the haybale stack.

My camera battery died before we got to the actual pumpkins, but all boys had a great time.  We got some cool looking pumpkins and headed home.  Both of our boys fell asleep on the way home.

It's Not About the Ball, It's About the Boy

We weren't going to do it.  We weren't going to sign him up for soccer.  We felt like the spring was a disaster, Eamon wasn't really interested in playing when we got to soccer.  We weren't going to do it, and then.... "I'm never going to ever get to play soccer again" was randomly heard on the way back from North Georgia.  Ed and I looked at each other with a "oh crap" look.  We knew that we had to sign him up and Ed again volunteered to coach.

There are SEVEN 3 year olds on the team.  Ed is doing a great job and is very patient.  

Eamon is very excited about soccer, talks about soccer, tells everyone he has a game, but still isn't too interested in playing when we get to the field.  

We have had 2 games so far and he did much better at the second.

For us, soccer is about Eamon.  It is HIS thing.  Every week, he gets to put on a special uniform and go play with special "soccer friends" and have Mommy, MamaMarie and Papa (and anyone else who comes to watch) devote their attention to watching HIM, cheering HIM on and being there for HIM.  

He has fun and it makes him feel special.

So Friday night, we'll pick the kids of from school, quickly feed them, get Eamon changed and lug all of our stuff to the soccer field to watch Eamon play (maybe soccer, maybe not) for an hour because we love him and it is his thing.

 SCORE!!!  Brady doesn't know yet that the ball goes in the goal, not the baby. 

And in a few years Brady will have his own "thing" too.