Where Did September Go?

September seriously just whizzed by. I know it's because we were so busy with all of the kids' soccer games and other activities, and it's not a bad thing, but I just can't believe it's over already! 

We finally managed to get over to Rophone's dad's place for a swim. It was a lot of fun to swim with Grandpa Gorilla. Hopefully we'll make it there more often next year (if they're still living there).

September is also the time of year for canning. It's such a great tradition to bottle peaches every year with my mom. We used to bottle TONS of things when I was growing up-- I have to say I'm happy we've pared it down a little lot.

The Wednesday after Labor Day it was finally time for Edith to begin preschool! Considering that when she turned 4 she told me she was going to be happy not to spend all day, every day with me anymore, she was pretty excited. She instructed me that she needed to be in pigtails for her first day because they're cute.

She's totally right, of course. They are cute. So is the way she styles herself. She has been loving pairing her Van high tops (Big's old shoes) with mis-matched polka dot socks. You can tell she dresses herself, but it all works. She has the flair for it.

Edith is the first kid to do afternoon preschool, and it's pretty tough to wait until after lunch to go. The first day she tried eating lunch early to see if that meant we got to leave earlier (sorry, kid). The second day, the last 15 minutes of waiting were really dragging. Luckily, Edith came up with the great idea of a funny-face photo shoot to pass the time. All you have to do is look at the photos to see what a great idea it was. Brilliant, I say!

After a bit of a creative lull, Bud is back at it. He spent one morning making the game of "Provo-opoly," which the younger kids then spent all afternoon playing. Awesome idea, Bud!

There was more soccer to be watched, of course. Ginger is having a blast playing and I'm having a blast watching her.

Ginger had an orthodontist appointment, too, which was quite a bit less exciting, but Edith and I enjoyed just hanging out in the car with the windows down and the music playing. 

Rophone and I braved the crowds at the Homecoming football game so we could watch Pen dance at halftime. It was great to see her out there enjoying herself.

Edith and Big had more soccer games to attend, too. So much fun.

We had gorgeous tomatoes coming out our ears, so I managed to fit 4 different chili sauce canning days in there somewhere. I'm happy I put in the time and effort-- I managed to make a trade of a haircut for a batch. What can I say? It's good stuff.

We took an afternoon to drive up in the canyon to see the leaves changing. We were maybe a week too early for the really great leaves, but we had a fantastic and relaxing time anyway. 

Let's see... I ate some delicious golden beets...

...had more fun with Edith (like we always do)...

...enjoyed eating waffles cooked with my early Christmas gift from my mom (so delicious!)...

...watched even more soccer...

...managed to catch a picture of the tail end of the blood moon (and no, the world didn't end)...

...and for the exciting, whiz-bang ending to this fantastic month? Big finally, finally lost that snaggle tooth that's been loose and hanging out since July! Hooray! It took a bit of a bribe that I would text the Tooth Fairy to bring him an extra dollar for under his pillow if he lost it THAT DAY. But, whatever. All is fair in love and disgusting looking teeth that you have to look at all the time. 

Seriously, what a fantastic September we had. Sorry to dump it all on you at once, but there's even more coming down the pipe for October! I can hardly wait. 

Falling for Soccer

The beginning of the school year also means it's time for something else-- Fall Soccer! We sure do love soccer around here. This year is pretty exciting because Ginger is playing on the freshman team for her high school and Edith is playing for the VERY FIRST time! So fun! I'll probably do a few soccer posts this fall, but this is to document the first games of the season (Edith's first games EVER!).

Ginger was the first to have a game. I took a photo of her at home before we left for the field. 

Ginger wasn't sure she was going to try to play in high school, but decided to after all. I'm so glad. It's so fun to see her playing again. Plus, I think she's having a blast. 

Then Big had his first game. That kid just loves to play.

Edith was so darn cute in her first game! The pigtails! I'll admit that it made my heart melt to see her running around. She started the game out looking a little uncertain.

But then stuff like this happened (um, strangulation here)...

(by her own teammate, no less!)

...and it just fueled her competitive fire!

Each of the kids had several games in the first few weeks of play, with Ginger having 3 games in one week! So, here are more pictures of the fun. Seriously this is the best time I've had in ages. 

 Here's Edith taking the kick-off and scoring her very first goal! It was a huge kick that went through all the kids and traveled the length of the field and into the goal. Way to go, Edith!

Big and Ginger were working hard on the field, too. Ginger's coach has been playing her everywhere, and I mean that literally. She has played everything from back up goalie to forward. So fun to watch. 

I love this shot because it almost looks like Ginger's dribbling the ball down the field like a basketball. 

It's a good thing I like watching my kids play soccer so much, because we sure do have a lot of opportunities this fall. It's only just begun... :)

Summer's End

I know it isn't really the end of summer. It drives Bud a little nuts when I say it, since it doesn't end until September. I guess what I should really say is the end of summer break. We got back from our trip to the City of Parks only a few days before the start of the school year. Just enough time to do laundry, buy some school supplies, and make sure that backpacks were ready to go. 

When I went to pick the garden a few days before school started, I noticed the sunflowers were huge and really cool looking. I decided to try out the macro setting on my phone camera app to see what I could capture. Pretty neat, I think. 

A few days before school started, I got a call from Rophone at work, asking me to come get him and to bring Edith along because he had a surprise for her. I drove around the corner and saw Rophone standing on the curb next to a ginormous stuffed horse! Boy, was it a surprise to me, too! 

The daughter of one of Rophone's coworkers was re-doing her bedroom to be more suited to her age (13), and she decided it was finally time to get rid of her favorite horse. She didn't just want to take it to DI and not know its fate, but her dad said he thought he knew a girl who would really love it. He was right. Edith adores her knew horsey, Lili. 

The kids started school on Wednesday, August 19th. I know it seems early, but it does mean that we get out before Memorial Day. 

Big, super stoked to be starting 3rd grade:

Bud, grinning ear-to-ear at the thought of starting 5th:

Ginger, kind of half awake and maybe just a wee bit nervous to be a freshman (she's gonna rock high school):

Pen wasn't thrilled with her early-morning shot, so I took this one that evening while shooting her headshot for journalism staff:

Much better, I agree. I can't wait to see what this school year brings. I know they'll all do well and have a ton of fun. 

The weekend after school started, I got a visit from a dear friend from high school and her son. I love our annual get-togethers. I'm so glad we just decided to meet at my house this year-- it really gave us a nice chance to chat. 

It cracked me up when she got roped into reading this book to the kids:

We had to take a few selfies, of course, to document it all.

So much fun to have a visit from a friend! She is truly beautiful inside and out. I can't wait until next year's visit. Hopefully we'll be able to swing a visit sooner than that.