Apollo turns 7

Apollo turned 7--(7!)-- on Sunday, the 28th. Brian observed that none of our kids' birthdays are ideally located on the calendar--one's just after Christmas, one just before summer, one at the end--but Apollo's Thanksgiving birthday gets the shaft more than the others. Somehow between the last minute Halloween plans and Thanksgiving menu planning, not to mention that early Christmas shopping rush, I always realize Apollo's birthday is coming about the time that I should be mailing out the invitations already.

I offered to throw him a party a week or so after his birthday but reminded him that Brian wouldn't be there. Or he could ask a couple of friends and we would go to the Funplex--where you could go bowling, ride go karts and bumper cars, and play laser tag. After a lot of deliberating he decided on the smaller party-- so Dad could be there.

Apollo with his soccer buddy. His friend had to leave early, so he made new friends at the bumper cars, and ended up spending the last hour with them. I'm not too worried about him moving to a new school, he just makes a party wherever he goes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

So we are all under the same roof for Thanksgiving, so we are grateful. Grateful that Brian has a job, and that despite the fact we are moving yet again, the company has relieved a lot of the stress for us. I'm grateful the kids seem to be taking the upcoming move in stride--we have found a house in Charlotte, and will be closing in the middle of December. The kids will start new schools in the new year. I'm grateful we were able to find an existing house that we love and we'll be able to be together as a family sooner than later. Somehow, despite Brian's constant travel, this has been an especially hard separation. And, despite how hard it's been, I'm thankful for this experience. I've learned to separate people's criticism of my house, yard, wardrobe, and let it slip off me (somewhat). I've learned that given enough time and motivation, I keep a very clean house (just don't look in the drawers). And I've learned that I can't do everything--I have to say no and ask for help and invariably my friends are there for me. From helping me get my house ready to show, to taking care of my kids on a one-day crazy trip to Charlotte and back, to driving a half hour to help me with a flat tire, my friends have been my family. Thank you every one.

Soccer Cup Day

Paris and Apollo ended their soccer season this Saturday. They both went out with wins although their seasons were a little rocky this year. Apollo started out having a good time chatting with his team mates, but by the end of the season he was all over the field, kicking balls. I asked him what changed, and he shrugged and said, " I guess I just grew up."
Paris is the play maker of his team. He can handle the ball really well and set up for the forwards (he plays half-back).
Luckily, Brian was in town this weekend, so he got to see their last games. Here are some pics from my new camera. There are a lot of options with this camera, and I am having fun trying to figure them all out.

Grandma and Grandpa come for a visit

Mom and Dad came out last week when the kids had a few days off school for teacher workshops. They spent a few days with the Amish before coming over. We went to Valley Forge:

And the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Constitution Center (my batteries failed that day, so these are of the Constitution Center, which we haven't visited before. It's a great museum with a live performance and great displays).

Apollo is sitting on the lap of a distant relative--Ben Franklin!

We also shopped for Christmas, so Mom wouldn't have to worry about shipping. Then we just decided the night before they left to go ahead and celebrate Christmas while they were here. We popped in a Sausage Casserole, made some hot chocolate and played Christmas music. The kids didn't have a chance to get anything for Grandma and Grandpa but it didn't stop them from presenting them with gifts--Paris and Tritan made an i-pad holder for Grandpa's i-pad from a granola bar box and a Union soccer team fan flag. Apollo made a stuffed animal from pom pom balls and Athena gave them coupons for free babysitting.

The i-pad holder


The kids got boots and earrings for Athena, and their favorite lego sets for the boys and I got a new camera, so look for better pictures in the future!

It was great to have some visitors with Brian gone. We loved re-visiting some of our favorite sites. And they were a great help--raking leaves and doing some deep cleaning. We loved having them!