From church today...

Highlights from The Januarys vs. The Pink Monsters (aka, the team that annihilated us). Olive is slowly starting to figure this soccer thing out, and she's being kind of a tough cookie - throwing an elbow, pushing her way through - so it's starting to become fun to watch.

Here's Olive's "report card" from swim class... She is such a fish, absolutely loves being in the water and her teachers say she's pretty advanced. But they also say the same thing her Boulder City teacher said - she just doesn't listen! Chris and I have watched, and she really does listen way more poorly in the pool than in any other setting she's in. We think it's just because she's so excited to be in the water, and it's difficult for her to wait to be told what to do and when to do it. Not that that's an excuse, but it's an explanation. Chris told her that every time she does a good job listening to her swim teacher that she'll earn a point. And when she earns 10 points she gets a swim date alone with Dad. We talked to her swim teacher about it too, so after every class she knows to tell me whether Olive gets a point that day or not. After 8 lessons in September she's earned 3 points, so it's a work in progress for sure. But anyway, that girl really loves to swim!

The Januarys had a double header today. The first game resembled last week's game - only very slightly better than week one. Chris was pretty frustrated, we all were; it's a battle even keeping the girls on the field and standing up. But he stays really cute with them. In the second game they all seemed to come alive. They had better attitudes, and Olive scored two goals! Granted, the other team had two special needs children on it, but we will take what we can get!! She really hustled during that game, and she even came over and had me feel how fast her little heart was beating. Aunt Jenny texted and said she'd give Olive a prize if she scored a goal today, so after the games Olive called and reported the good news. That was a cute conversation. Also, we had promised Olive that if she could keep a good attitude through the two games that we would go and get ice cream afterwards. When we pulled up to the ice cream shop she said, "Mom, Dad, have you ever heard of a double scoop?"

halftime oranges

Olive, #4, going after the ball

Olive lying down, not because she was discouraged
this time, but because she was tired
from actually running so much!

Olive and Isla, part 1

Olive and Isla, part 2

Feeling good at the end of the game!

Ready for her ice cream!

Giving the neighborhood a concert.

Olive sight-read "apples" just now. First time she's recognized any word besides her name. No clue how she knew it, but she did!

This week they're learning about the letter S. Here's Olive's S worksheet (and her name on the back of it), and an S she made out of colored sand.

Today's game was slightly, and I do mean slightly, better than last week's. The other team scored 9 times as opposed to our 3 (very, very assisted 3). But Olive didn't pout quite as much as last week. And she actually scored one of the goals. Chris is great with the girls. We're doing a lot of talking about manners and sportsmanship...

She drew her soccer team, and 2 soccer balls.

Olive's first soccer game was today. It was a total disaster. She sat down and pouted or cried several times because she didn't get the ball. Chris was great with the girls. But we lost, 6-1. Yikes.

before the game, miss sassypants

our team, The Januarys, before the game,
being intimidating

pouting #1, sitting in the middle of the field

pouting #2, lying down

pouting #3, crying to dad

pouting #4, dad trying to get her to at least stand up

pouting #5, sitting behind the goal

game over, snack time

I had such a scare just now. I couldn't find Olive anywhere. I checked the basement, the upstairs, and was running all over the front and back of the house yelling for her. Nothing. I burst into tears and called Chris totally panicked. He had her. He had come home for lunch, and she had hidden in his car before he left to go back to work. That stinker.

Today's school creation. They learned about minding their manners, including "trapping" their coughs and sneezes. 

The Januarys' first practice...

Here's what she brought home on her first day.