Soccer Girl

Maddie really took to the field this year. She was aggressive and quite the striker. She scored many goals and was an asset for her team! In fact, she was valuable enough on the field that she only had to play goalie once, much to her relief! We'll stay with the same level of soccer in the spring and then make a decision whether to move up to a travel team. Go Manchester United! She was coached by a soccer (or football) loving Irishman, who did not chose the name of the team.

Our Pets

SOCKS! I find them everywhere. They are taken off, inside out, flung in a corner, waiting to be picked up. Rather than get furious, I decided to document the life of the socks throughout the week. 

Yes, my car needs to be vacuumed. Gross.

Eggplant Parm

Can you imagine a cuter helper to make eggplant parmesan? He dips and dusts with expertise.

Rake it Away

One of those days, everyone fighting. Multiple children in time out. And then, they are sent outside while their sister has a piano lesson and they decide to rake, laugh, and play in good spirits. I need to remember these moments!

Camping!

Three years since our challenging camping experience (http://thesandersseen.blogspot.com/2009/09/great-outdoors.html) - we decided to go further afield up to New Hampshire. It was well worth the drive. 

First to pack all the gear. Backpacking in this is not!

The boys were super excited about their new sleeping bags. We also needed a second tent. Nathan came home with a backpacking tent to "keep the dream alive." 

We were so proud of our meal: chicken and vegetables, baked potatoes, corn and of course smores - all cooked on the grill. Nathan even deemed my prepared chicken "very good." Our site was fairly secluded and the kids were beyond excited. They even helped me get the larger tent up. Unfortunately, I did not pack enough warm clothing. Everyone was frigid. Especially after Nathan lectured us on the importance of not wearing anything we cook/eat in in the tent due to the fact that bears have super sniffers and the scent of our dinner on our fleece may result in a bear attack. Really?!? That doesn't scare a 9, 6 or 4 year old, or frankly a 37 year old. 

Cute pic - darn, it's blurry. The boys crammed into the new tent. 

Maddie and I luxuriated in the big one. Everyone slept well. The stars were some of the best I've seen. And we cooked paperbag breakfasts in the morning - bacon, hashbrowns and eggs in a paperbag which didn't catch on fire or leak! 

We stopped at Wildcat Mountain, where we have skied in previous years, for a ride up the gondola. It was 35 degrees with wind at the top of the mountain. Brrr.... we went on a very short hike and had lunch. Everyone slept on the drive home!

Sprint Tri

Mia and I had been talking for ages about doing a triathlon. We signed up for one pledged to train heavily over the summer and then bam, September arrived. Gulp! We were so nervous not being prepared. We even hoped for rain! Alas, a crisp day arrived and we lugged our gear to Hopkinton (start of the Boston Marathon).

Yes, we are really doing this!

Our early morning cheering section!

And we finished! Our times were much better than we thought. I won our swim heat! In fact, if Mia and I can shave a bit of time off the swim and bike, and find a fast runner, we should be able to win the triathlon as a relay next year. 

Back to School

Back to school!  After an amazing summer (which I hope to post about in some lifetime), it was bittersweet to head back to Angier and Bowen. Fourth, First and 5 day preschool! Where did the time go? Everyone had an excellent start to the year!