Go Cheetahs!

Grady had his 3rd practice on Monday evening! He is such a hoot to watch...he was especially funny this week because he had to entertain Nana and Joe! They practiced dribbling fast and slow, making goals, and being the keeper! Grady is pretty good at keeper...he was able to stop both of the coach's attempts to score! They also had a scrimmage.....they always do the scrimmage at the end of the practice....we usually lose Grady's attention about that time as well....so he usually goes for the ball for a few seconds and then chasing a little girl or watching what the other team is doing becomes a lot more interesting! They also got to pick a team name at this practice....the coach asked for suggestions and Grady was the first one to pipe up with "Cheetahs''! So with it being a group of 4 year olds and the coach being really quite on top of it..he had them vote as soon as the first suggestion came...making the team name the Cheetahs! Grady is also becoming a little more outspoken than usual...while the Coach was reminding all of the kids the rules of the game.....which he does every practice.....he was going over the only person who could touch the ball with their hands was the "goalie" and Grady immediately corrected him and said that was actually the "keeper"!! The Coach quickly corrected himself and thanked Grady.....I guess we are all learning a little something this year!!! GO CHEETAHS!
Keeper Grady stopping Coach Buddy's ball!!

The team cheer...."GO CHEETAHS!"

Busy, Busy, Busy!

We have had one busy week!! My Mom and Joe were in town for a visit...along with our usually busy schedule..we tried to throw in a couple of fun things!! We had the Walk-A-Thon on Thursday at Gabe's school, which Nana and Grady walked a lap with Gabe and soccer practice for Gabe that evening! On Friday, Gabe, Joe and Mom headed to Boeing for the Factory tour...which they all really enjoyed! Poor Grady is not tall enough for the tour, so thankfully he was at preschool and not the wiser until after the fact! That afternoon we headed down to the Ballard Locks, the Issaquah Hatchery and Boehm's Chocolate Factory...and if that wasn't a full enough day we headed over to Mukilteo to The Tin Fish for a yummy seafood dinner and then ended the evening with Ice Cream at Cold Stone!! The next morning started off bright and early with Gabe's soccer game....and then the guys headed fishing while we did some Christmas shopping and Wii playing! After the empty handed fishermen made their way back home we headed to downtown Seattle to The Crab Pot for dinner! Sunday we were a little lazy....we slept in until a whopping 7:00!! We had breakfast and then headed over the mountains to Leavenworth! We spent the day shopping and eating our way through the little Bavarian village! The weather was perfect...this was the first time we had been to Leavenworth in a time other than winter....it was a beautiful drive! On Monday the usual crazy Fox Family week started again!! Both boys had school, I had a doctor's appt, Shawn had work, laundry was piling up, and somewhere in there we needed to squeeze homework, eating, and sleep! I'm sure Mom and Joe were happy to escape the craziness of our home.....

Bluehawks vs. The Shadow!

On Saturday morning we took up our usual position at the soccer field! The Bluehawks had a great game! The won 9-0!!! They worked out several of the kinks they had last week with the new positioning and everything seemed to run a lot more smoothly with the new game plan in place! Gabe had a great personal game as well! He did a very nice job at defender...keeping the keeper from having to work to hard! Each time the ball would get near the goal he would get that ball out of there! He also had a couple of assists at forward! He played Keeper in the last of the first half....he had 2 saves there as well! The Bluehawks are now working on passing the ball down the field and not just "ball-hogging"!! I think this one may be a little bit harder to break...those little guys all just want to score..so telling them to pass it off seems a little crazy to them! They have 3 practices this week...it will be a LONG week....and then a soccer game bright and early Saturday....I think we may feel a little soccered out by the end of this week!!! GO BLUEHAWKS!

Gabe doing a nice head bump!! Wow...doesn't he look like a pro!

Walk-A-Thon!

Picnic Point had their annual Walk-A-Thon last Thursday! This is one of their biggest fundraisers of the year...most of the money goes towards the cost of field trips taken throughout the year! I volunteered last year and again this year as a lap counter...basically I just stand in one spot and as the kiddos walk/run past me, I mark a lap for them! I had it really easy this year...with Gabe being in a 3rd/4th grade combo class, I only had to count for the 3rd grade boys...so I only had 5 to keep track of! Gabe ran/walked 9 laps in one hour which was equal to 4.5 miles!
Gabe and his 3rd grade buddies from Ms. Dodson's Class!
L to R: Charlie, Gabe, Connor, Alex, and David
note: The boy smiling in the back is not in Gabe's class....so I'm not sure who he is!!



This is Gabe and Tia!! We are not sure what to call Tia as I am not ready to use the word "girlfriend" when used in the same sentence as one of my little fellas! It was too cute though, Tia was searching all over for Gabe after the Walk-A-Thon began...and no worries it worked both ways...he gave up a lap to wait for her!!

Grady's Soccer Practice!

Last night, Grady had his second soccer practice! I was at a curriculum night for Gabe's class, so I unfortunately had to miss out...but luckily Shawn and Gabe were willing to take some shots of our little all-star!! They practiced some ball handling skills, scrimmaged and played some various soccer games! He started losing interest in the practice with about 10 minutes left...but up until that point both Dad and Gabe said he had done really well! I can't wait until next week....I hate missing anything....even a practice!!
Grady practicing his dribbling skills!

Goal Keeper Grady!! Stop that ball!!!

Some fancy footwork from Sir Grady!!

Bluehawks vs. Pie Blasters

Thankfully the clouds parted and the rain stopped long enough on Saturday for a dry soccer game!! The Bluehawks had their second game....which unfortunately didn't end in their favor...bum....final score 6-4! The coaches had learned a new game plan on Friday night at a coaches clinic and gave the boys a quick rundown and then tried it out...well, it didn't work quite as planned!! I think with a little practice it will work beautifully, but it will take some work! They have the boys playing their positions for half of a game and then in the second half they switch positions...so they aren't switching positions 4 or 5 times in a half which makes sense..the boys have a chance to get really good at the position without having to just switch 5 minutes later...but the problem...they came back after halftime supposedly playing new positions...but, half of them were playing the new position and half the old ones...yikes! In the first half only one goal was scored on them...but in the second half the other 5 were..the problem our defenders were playing forward and our forwards were playing forward as well! So, some kinks will have to be worked out, but it looks like a lot less confusing gameplan than before---unless I'm the one explaining it!! ha!

So, Gabe had a pretty good game...he played goal keeper the first half of the game...while one goal was scored....he was able to stop about 5 others from going through!! And the one that went through..well, if he had only been about 3 inches taller he would have had it blocked...his little fingertips brushed the tip of the ball! He also had a pretty good second half....he played forward the second half and had a couple of close goals, but just couldn't get it connected! He has practice twice this week, so hopefully they will get everything worked out and have better results next week....GO BLUEHAWKS!!!!!

Gabe was also the Captain for this game!!

Gabe playing goal keeper...Keep that ball out of there, Gabe!!

Grady's First Soccer Practice!

Monday was Grady's first soccer practice!! He was sooooo excited! He has improved so much since last year....he seemed really interested in scoring goals, dribbling, and even playing a little defense! Our precious little Grady...never wanting to hurt a fly Grady....took a ball right from a kid! We were really impressed, he had never shown any sort of competitive edge before..last year if another player stole a ball from him during scrimmage...he just ran the other way---Not this year...he was determined to get the ball back and SCORE! Which, by the way, he did!!!
This was at the beginning of practice....Coach Buddy is explaining the ins and outs of soccer!

Grady was the line leader for dribbling and scoring---he was pumped! Anytime Coach Buddy asked a question..Grady was more than willing to give an answer...most of the time it was right!!

Goal Keeper Grady!! He stopped 5 of the 6 balls that were kicked to him!

The Bluehawks first game!!

Bright and early Saturday morning the Bluehawks had their first soccer game! They won 6-2!! Gabe has an awesome team and coaches this year!! Both of his coaches actually either play soccer or have played soccer in the past, so they bring a completely different coaching element that Gabe has never had before! He has learned more in the last 3 weeks than he has in the last 3 years of playing soccer! His teammates are also wonderful....there are a few exceptional players--the naturally wonderful ones--but the rest are hard working...they all listen and are willing to do what it takes to do well! This is such a change from last year!! During the game on Saturday the boys worked as a team...staying in their positions most of the time! Gabe had a couple of nice steals and assists...he even went for a goal once....if only the goal would have been about 4 inches higher!!! The Bluehawks played a team from Silver Lake who were as equally well-behaved....even the coaches! It was a wonderful day for soccer...can't wait for next Saturday....GO BLUEHAWKS!!!!

A Super Saturday!

On Saturday after the soccer game we headed down to Edmonds Beach for a little rest and relaxation! Shawn did a little fishing, I curled up on the warm sand with a new book, and the boys played in the sand and did a little swimming in the sound! It was an absolutely beautiful day....warm and sunshine....it's always a blessing when we get these days especially with the rainy season approaching quickly! I hope we get a few more of these days!!!

First Day of 4-year old Preschool!

Yesterday was Grady's first day of 4-year old preschool!! He was so excited to get started...we have been working all summer on writing, letters, and numbers and he couldn't wait to show off!! Plus, his best little girlfriend just so happens to be in his class again this year....so that may have added to the excitement! He has changed so much over the summer...usually I do not notice the changes in the boys, but Grady has definitely changed. He has grown in every way....he is really losing that toddler look and changing into a little boy....everyday he is finding new things to explore....and always saying the most hilarious things....he never fails to put a smile on our faces! We are so proud of you Grady.....Have a wonderful preschool year!!!

Gabe's First Day of 3rd Grade!!

Today was Gabe's first day of 3rd grade!!! I cannot believe Gabe is in 3rd grade....crazy!! It seems like not that long ago, Gabe and I walked hand in hand through the doors of Lincoln Elementary ready for his first day of Kindergarten!! Watching him walk away today...no longer needing my hand to guide him....or even needing me to walk through the gate with him...I realized how fast this is all going! I see Gabe leaving behind the little boy with the chubby cheeks and the big chocolate kiss eyes....he is becoming quite a little gentleman.... we are so very proud of him!! Happy 3rd Grade Year Gabe!!!

Blackberry Picking = Some Yummy Cobbler!!

Yesterday the boys and I spent the last day of summer break picking blackberries!! We were out picking for a while...but, somehow only got home with about 4 cups....perhaps a couple of the pickers were also tasters??!! So with the berries we had left, Grady and I put on our Betty Crocker hats and made a cobbler!! It was soooo yummy! I hope to get out there and grab some more berries tomorrow......maybe we will pick more than we eat this time!!!