10-21-08 Fall Updates

We have been very busy this fall and there has not been time to write much about the kids. Here is some updates.

- Madison is on her competition clogging team and is also playing soccer. She has really enjoyed soccer and is doing great. This was her first year playing soccer and she has learned a lot. Basketball for Madison has also started so she is really booked right now and we really wanted to avoid that. It is only for two weeks though and then soccer is over. In August we enrolled Madison, Jaxon, and Greta in the charter school we have here in town. They all really wanted to go but none of them got in August (waiting list). I received a phone call for Madison two weeks ago and found out that an opening had become available in 4th grade for her to start at the charter school. It was hard for her and us to decided if it was the right time for her to change after she had been in school for a couple of months already but we decided that it would be best for her in the long run. Madison along with her brothers and sister really want to learn a 2nd language and that among other things are offered at the charter school starting in Kindergarten. (Having an aunt who speaks fluent Russian probably has something to do with the fact they want to be able to speak a 2nd language =) Madison started her first day at her new school yesterday. I couldn't sleep at all on Sunday night. My oldest starting a new school, Wil turned 4 and it is a crazy week. She really likes it so far. They are ahead of where she was in her old school but she will be able to catch up fast. (It is a public charter school so it is free to us and Greta and Jaxon are at the top of their waiting list now that Madison is a student). I can't believe my oldest is turning 10 on Sunday. I don't feel old enough for all this. Pic of Madison practicing before the game. The goalie is a friend of hers.

From October 2008

-Jaxon had his first basketball practice last night and is looking forward to playing with his friends. I think he feels like it is about time for it to be his turn to be doing something after school besides watching his sisters play soccer almost every day. Jaxon still loves animals and playing with his friends. Soccer games are not such a hardship for him. Wil and Jaxon always find some dirt or water to play and explore in. They have great imaginations and are always having fun making things up. He can't wait for his birthday next month and keeps asking me how much longer. He still has his snake and salamander but recently lost his last fence lizard. This summer he caught a tadpole and has really enjoyed watching it turn into a frog. He thought it was the coolest thing to watch the front legs move inside the skin of the tadpole and then come out. We were always kept up to date on any changes. Pic of Jaxon helping Wil put together a Ben 10 toy at his party at Chuck E Cheese with the Millers and Grandma & Grandpa Packer.

From October 2008

- Greta loves to play soccer and is very entertaining to watch. She is aggressive and goes after the ball all the time. Luckily she doesn't only score goals but is really good about assisting her teammates. Recently we took her in for an eye test and found out that she pretty farsighted. (I thought she had to be goofing off during the test but came to find out that her eyesight was really that poor) I was surprised to see how strong her eye prescription was. It has been a big adjustment to her to wear glasses all day. At first the glasses kept falling down her nose and she just looked over them but her doctor adjusted them the other day for us and she has an appointment today to see how she is doing. If she can't adjust to such a difference they will lower her prescription. She is doing great now that her glasses don't slip anymore. Her long eyelashes do hit the inside of her glasses and the doctor is going to see if he can fix that. She is just now getting to the point that her eyes will start being adjusted to the glasses and stop trying to adjust themselves. We are really interested to find out if she notices a big difference or not.

From October 2008

Greta is the player all in black.

From September 2008

- Wil has started taking gymnastics this year because he wasn't old enough for soccer and had his heart set on playing this year. He really enjoys gymnastics and shows off all the time. It is a lot of fun to watch his class. Last week we went to the corn patch with Uncle Matt, Aunt Vikki, Reece, and Alex. Wil thought it was soooo much fun!! On Monday was his birthday and I had to hug him all the time because my baby just isn't a baby anymore. I miss the baby stages so much but it is fun to watch him grow and find out all the things he is interested in and loves to do. He shared a birthday night out with Madison on Sat. and we went to Chuck E Cheese with Aunt Debra, Uncle Kevin, Kyleigh, Kelsey, Grandma Packer and Grandpa Packer. They had a ton of fun playing all the games with their cousins. On Wed. he is having his friend party after school and his birthday dinner. He has been looking forward to his pirate party (with his friends) for weeks. The pic below is of him at the corn maze. He loved these pedal go carts!

From October 2008

Paul has been keeping busy with the websites, webcasts, and magazine. I have been totally occupied with the kids lately and need to find some time to include things that I just haven't had time for the last few weeks. With everyone turning one year older I have thought a lot about the last ten years and the different stages of their lives. I can't express how much I love them and how lucky I feel to be their mom.