Soccer Snapshots

We are winding down our soccer season for the year - three more weeks or so . . . but I haven't done a soccer post this year, and thought I'd better get at it!
Kevin's attitude to soccer this year could be described as "passionate". He loves it. Very much. He wouldn't miss it for the world. One time he needed a punishment and had to decide between doing math pages or missing soccer . . .never saw him do math so willingly!!!

Kevin is a good team player, rather competive sometimes, and is constantly practicing and trying out new moves.

Kevins team is doing all right - middle of the pack - lots of ties, a few wins and a few losses.
Kade is now in his third year of soccer and continues to learn and play at his own pace. He has yet to get his first goal or assist this year . . . though I feel that we get a tad closer every game.
He still loves to be goalie (which of course is a great hindrance to my his quest for goals).

His second favorite place to be until recently was on the blanket having snacks. One game in particular nearly drove me crazy b/c it seemed like everytime he had a chance to take the field, he would be too busy munching away at a watermelon, or busy fixing his shoes or shins or whatever else he may find to do. It's not that he doesn't want to play. He just lacked drive -- though like I said it is picking up . . . just in time for the end of the season:)

Kade does enjoy being part of a team though and it is fun to watch him interact.

Like I said, he takes the game very seriously.

As for his team . . . not quite sure of their record, but probably about 1/2 wins, 1/2 losses.

It's hard for Kade to pose for pictures lately. He's gotten a bit crazy.

Kevin also attended a soccer camp put on by Athletes in Action last week. Camp was from 9-3 each day. In my opinion thats a long 7 hours to wear shins, socks, and cleats . . . and it sure smelled like a long day in the van on the way home too when he shed them:( Jeremy also signed up so they got to see lots of eachother, since Jeremy spent a few nights with us too.

One thing I had a hard time comprehending was the thing they wanted to do most when they got home . . . sometimes it was to go for a quick swim, but most often it was . . . PLAY SOCCER!!! Crazy. Kevin even did it when he was all alone. Like I said, he's passionate about the game.

At camp they did drills, soccer olympics, coaches corner, small group Bible studies, and World Cup. Kevin's team - the Madagascar Mars Bars won the world cup for the week. (the last hour of camp it thundered and lightninged, so they moved into the gym for awards/presentations, but the rest of the week was beautiful weather - though I would have found it warm doing what they did:))

Doing the victory lap with the cup . . .

They get their team name added to the cup . . .

Each participant got an award and a Bible at the end of the week.

Here is Kevin with his certificate.

And Jeremy.

The leaders and coaches were fantastic and you could tell that all the kids really loved and respected them. They are definitely good at their jobs and have both leadership and soccer talents and they know how to have a lot of fun.

I think it was a fabulous experience and if it comes back again next year, we'll have to sign up again . . .

The one drawback to the week was how lost Kade and Kylie were without Kevin. I didn't realize just how much Kevin does for me . . . how much he occupies the other two and keeps them from hanging around and being bored. So I am glad to have him back home again - and so are Kade and Kylie.

Some Summer Fun . . . in the Water

We just finished our two weeks of swimming lessons. Couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather (though not so nice for those viewing on the sidelines). The kids were actually all excited about going each day - which was very nice. Kevin doesn't always love swimming lessons - partially b/c he gets cold so easily, but he really enjoyed himself this time around too.

We signed Kylie up for the first time too - just in Baby Pool -and mostly so she wouldn't have to sit on the sidelines and wish she could be in too. She did really well and since finishing lessons has LOVED going in our pool at home -- all as long as nobody touches her. She has some real trust issues - and even the instructors were not allowed to come near her or she would quickly turn the opposite way and swim off, or jump out of the pool. All on her own. That's our little Miss independent.

Summer was signed up for the same session and they had lots of fun together seeing eachother every day.
Kevin working on his standing dives.

Kade chatting while waiting his turn.

Kevin doing the whipkick.

The boys both passed their levels so we were all excited about that. (It means we have to treat them to McDonalds . . .and they figure that since they both passed, we get to go twice!)

Port Bruce

The water is actually kind of scary here b/c it gets deep SO fast. Kevin had to save Kylie when she took a dive and expected her hands to touch the ground only to find nothing there. Swimming lessons are great when it comes to swimming at a place like this - especially to give me a little peace of mind . . . but I still hardly dare take my eyes off of them . . .except for a picture (which of course is exactly when Kylie went under)

None the worse for the wear . . .

And the splash pad . . . .

. . . which Kylie also LOVED and didn't stop moving on the whole time. She was at full gallop which made picture taking rather difficult.

I'm sure we'll have lots more water fun with temperatures like we've been enjoying. I don't love the hot/humid days, but they sure are great for getting wet and enjoying the water.

Surprise!

Guess who came up with a lovely surprise for me today???? And guess what it was?????

I actually tried to get mad at her, but I couldn't stop laughing. She just looks soooo goofy. But it is rather maddening. Of course it was that part of her hair that never stayed in her ponytails anyway and was ALMOST getting long enough . . . .

. . . guess those group/individual pictures of the kids that I was going to book are going to have to wait a bit:(

Like most bad things she does, this doesn't seem to affect her too much. She just tells us, "Now I'm ugly. I'm not a princess anymore." Nope Ky. You definitely aren't princess material anymore. But we still think you are beautiful . . . with a headband on:)

Inverhuron

We spent the weekend on our first camping outing for the year. Though life seems busy, some things are worth enduring the busy times that come before and after time away. Life was indeed busy for Jonathan especially, but this is why it is a good thing reservations must be made in advance. Then things are booked - and you go - you have too. You wouldn't want to squander that reservation fee and pay a cancellation fee on top of it! No - actually you go, because it's good to get away - to spend time with family, friends, and nature. And guess what? The work is always there when you get home!
When discussing with Jenn, where we should go, we wondered about going back to Pinery or trying something new. Trying something new won out and she suggested Inverhuron. I had never heard of it and didn't have a clue where it was, but it is a lovely place. It was very quiet during our entire stay - and pretty much empty by Sunday night.
The water was cold, but refreshing. That didn't stop the kids. They were in and out several times a day. Our campsite backed onto Lake Huron - the rocky beach. But if you hopped on your bike and rode for about 7 minutes along the scenic trail, you find yourself at the sandy beach.
Here is Kade chilling in the "hottub" - a pool of water on the "shore".

Jonathan and Mike deep in discussion . . . .

Searching another hole for crayfish.

Rock jumping. It got really deep really fast in some places (like below) and others you could walk out for a long time.

Sunsets were another highlight. They were beautiful and we always made sure we hit the water again around sunset time . . . some times it took a LONG time for the sun to fall. We started watching at 7pm one night - just because it was so beautiful out . . . but it got kind of chilly after about 2 hours! (we were very near the longest day of the year)

Kevin and Jordan biking along the shoreline.

Day 2 . . . at the sandy beach.

Kylie started to feel not so well . . . .

. . . and promptly fell asleep.

Ashley!

Hanging out in the campsite. The campsites were all white gravel. My first thoughts upon driving up were "YUCK"! But it turned out great. The kids stayed very clean, dripping taps on the water jug really didn't matter, and the boys couldn't ride their bikes in the campsite b/c it was VERY difficult. So as long as you are not in a tent, without any kind of mattress, I'm thinking gravel is really not so bad at all . . .

More sunsets . . .

Psalm 19 comes to mind . . .

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands."

Devin and Kylie. These two played marvelously together as well . . . except when they threw stones (which they both loved to do) and Kylie hucked a rather large one at his ankle. OUCH! Jonathan's inukshuk.

Day 3 . . . Jonathan pulling the boys for boogie board rides. It was a bit of an art to stay up, but they mastered it.

Kylie hiking along the shore.

Jumping off the sand down to the water.

Racing across the "river" which was significantly warmer than the lake.

The boys! Jordan, Kevin, Ian and Kade.

Buds!

Kade loves critters. He found many - a pretty orange salamander that got away as I was fetching the camera - much to Kade's dismay. A few tears were shed. Then there was this little snake that we told him NUMEROUS times to put away, but kept finding (don't know where he was storing him . . .)

"Hello OMA!!!"

Jonathan and Kylie

Mike and Jenn - our wonderful co-campers with whom we had a great time!

Us.

Jenn and I.

One last sunset.

Monday afternoon after we were all packed up, we went for a quick visit to the Bruce Nuclear Power Plant Visitor Center. This was neat to tour. Inverhuron borders the Plant, so it was neat to see a bit of what was happening over at the "neighbours"

And then we were off for home. Home sweet home --with memories of sunsets, swimming. s'mores, campfires, campfire discussions, friends, bike rides, card games, and killer showers! (You've not felt pressure until you've been to Inverhuron! Nearly took your top layer of skin off, but it was still kind of nice in a painful sort of way:))