Seasons

       Time is just marching along.  The time change this past weekend always comes as a surprise-somehow it is hard to believe the holidays are right around the corner.  The early darkness is a pain in the evenings but the time change sure was nice.  Amazing how just the extra hour in the morning settled everyone down-okay, feeling like I was sleeping in till nine on Sunday felt like heaven!  Brayden was confused by the whole thing and kept asking about the time of school, time of church.  On Monday he was up bright and early asking why I was still in bed.  He really is great-up early with no TV keeping busy with drawing or lego's...I didn't even know he was up.  Thankfully the other kids share my love of sleep!  Personally I just love the fall weather, the blue sky and the changing colors.  I realize the colors are anything but vibrant here in OK but still refreshing to see/feel the change of seasons.  James is the best, pointing out all the bright colored trees along out walks in the morning.  When the leaves first started falling he was adamant about picking up every leaf he came upon-thankfully now he just loves to ride through them all.
 
        The kids are plugging away at school, once again hard to believe fall break has passed and we are looking forward to thanksgiving break.  Both Becca and Brayden had good Parent Teacher Conferences.  Becca is catching on to math and is able to do her homework mostly by herself-besides for reading.  She is very diligent at taking AR tests on the computer after each of her books, it amazes me what they can learn on the computer (also scary).  Today she was trying out the computer site, Mathletics-so fun to see her keep track of what place she would get.  Much different than the intensity, frustration and tears of Brayden.  Becca is reading but still struggles, her teacher is wonderful and a huge encouragement.  Brayden is good as long as he stays focused...which means he has to be interested in what he is learning.  Thankfully 2nd grade is full of fun illustrations and activities.  Math is fun for him and his teacher is ready to push him a little bit...Brayden is like me and dislikes being pushed into something harder, being able to get it done and fast works for him.  Reading is going well but also needs to move along towards more advanced reading...so easy to stay where it is comfortable!  We are having fun playing piano together-something he actually enjoyes. Andrea is loving pre-K, I have not heard much from her teacher and most of what we end up working on is her speech which is making slow progress.  I am amazed at how much work it takes to untrain what she has learned in just four/five years of life.
  
    The season of football is DONE!! Do I dare cheer?? I am most grateful to an injury free season.  The boys were tough and determined, not winning a single game but always ready to play.  The last couple games were tough but I was reminded how much progress the boys really did make.  We played our last game on the same field as our first, what a difference.  The first game I think every boy came off the field in tears at some point and a good number of us moms did as well.  The last game the boys moved the ball, tackled, carried the ball and stayed on the field.  I was so proud of Brayden (but still was ready to go tackle those boys who smashed his helmet in the ground)

That's my number eight-loves to carry the ball but never enjoyed taking all the hits that came along with this position.  He did get to score this game-made his smile a bit.

While football season is coming to an end so is Cyclocross.  Okay, there are a few races in the upcoming months  but the Tuesday night race/ride is done since sunlight is scarce.  We have missed watching this year but were able to make the last ride tonight under the lights-a first.