The Crafts

As we countdown to Christmas 2017 I can't help but reflect on all the changes brought on by this year. I lost both of my grandpas. Last Christmas they were with us and I truly didn't think that by this Christmas we'd have lost them both. But with sadness comes blessings and 2017 wasn't filled only with tears. Matt played another season, and has since retired, from the Cedar Valley CourtKings. He continues to succeed as an attorney. Speaking of basketball, Matt is coaching Kate's 5th grade girls basketball team. He clearly has a passion for basketball at all levels. Matt also plans to start an informal team for CJ and second grade girls this coming winter/spring. This year Kate has been involved in basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, and, at recess only, lots of football. She'd love to play organized football but we said no...about 34 times. Kate has also had a lot of fun learning to draw from YouTube tutorials and has put together some really great dra...

I'm doing my best to pretend to love our cooler weather. I've been running outside, even when the thermostat says its in the 20s. I have taken the girls outside even when my feet beg for slippers. 9 out of 10 of my meals is soup and bread. I'm not factoring in breakfast. And I guess that's all I've tried. But dang it, I'm trying. Truly though, doesn't this look so much more fun than being cold... Yep.

Fall has treated us well this year. Kate and CJ are a few days from closing out the fall soccer season. Kate has primarily served as goalie and occasionally defender for her team, Knight Force. I am coaching CJ's team, Mini Union, this season. We only have five girls but the five we have are terrific. I have really enjoyed coaching them. And much to my surprise, I have really fallen for watching my kids play sports. I think I was less enthusiastic about it in years past because I always had a baby to keep happy while attempting to watch the big girls. Now Maddie is by no means independent or self sufficient but its a little less work this year with the prospect of things getting easier as the months pass...in theory, of course. I am clearly behind on my blog which has been pretty standard for the past couple of years but here are a few other things that have gone on this fall.  Shortly after Labor Day Natalie started four year old preschool. She attends in the afternoon, ...

Oh my gosh, you guys! School has started back up. Summer 2017 is in the books and somehow we have a 5th grader, a 2nd grader, and a preschooler. Maddie will still be at home with me 24/7 but the rest are school bound. Yikes! Kate's last year of elementary school! She is 5'4 1/2", wears a size 10 women's shoe, loves sports, and is super wonderful! CJ is starting 2nd grade in her pencil pants and decided to pose rather strangely but whatever... CJ loves reading, playing, she is learning to roller blade, and is one fabulous girl! The gang 2017. 10, almost 8, 4, and 2 Natalie starts 4 year old preschool in two weeks. Isn't she a beauty! And a super smart beauty at that! The girls and I watched the solar eclipse while Maddie napped. Bliss! I cannot stop laughing at CJ in this picture! Life with sisters is hard, guys. Maddie is spending her last full year at home. Next year she will start 3 year old preschool. Now that'...

Summer has flown by this year. Maybe it's keeping up with Maddie, or all of the sport camps, or maybe the fantastic trip to Clear Lake and Okoboji. I obviously have a lot of blogging to catch up on. Somehow though it is August and school starts in less than three weeks. We have our first potentially rainy day in a long time so I imagine this will be a day filled with board games and television...and hopefully no fighting. Maddie has stopped napping this summer. I've attempted to hang two baby gates, one on top of the other, so she cannot leave her room. Unfortunately for me she has learned to climb over both of them. If I tie or hold her door shut for an hour or so she will eventually give in and sleep. Overall though Maddie not napping has been mostly a good thing because it opens up our schedule, allowing us to visit the pool when we want. I imagine this will just be a long, challenging phase of transitioning into a no nap life for here on out. Hard to imagine we've ent...