FINALLY

It was a looooong, sad season for the 80lb. football team. Can you believe it? We didn't win a SINGLE game. So on the freezing cold night of October 30, as the temperatures dipped into the 30s, the parents lined up on the sidelines to watch what we assumed would be one more defeat.

When you're talking peewee football, losing all season doesn't actually put you out of the "playoffs". Teams are assigned to tournaments, where four teams compete in two final rounds to determine place from 1st to 4th. We had lost the Sunday before (of course), so we were playing the loser of the other game to determine who would get third place and who would get fourth.

Can you imagine our shock when our team scored? And then scored again? And then stopped the other team from scoring? Parents who had been huddled on the bleachers against the cold started following the team up and down the sidelines, screaming encouragement with all our might.

The elation that came when our sons FINALLY WON their very first game all season was indescribable. The kids were in shock, the parents were in shock. And just like that, we won third place, and got bright shiny trophies.Guess Nicky just needed some Green Bay weather to play in!

Tuckered Out

Actually, this picture describes how we all feel after the month we had!

Trick or Treat??

By the time we got back from the parade, we had less than half of our trick or treat time left. The kids knew they had to choose - candy or costumes! Since they were both still dressed from their morning games and parades, they decided to not wear their Boba Fett and fairy costumes. Instead, they trick-or-treated as a football player and a marching band member. Not much of a disguise!

Busy in Bethlehem

Today summarized our month of October. In one day, we had to go to a tournament football game for Nicky, go to the Bethlehem parade and watch Kairi, run home and pick Kai up, run back to the house and try to squeeze in trick or treating before time was up, and then get ready for another week of school. We even had to miss church, much to our chagrin. (We only let Nick join football because games were on Saturday, but since we thought this might be the last game of the season, we thought we should let him go. Turns out they had one more game, but we didn't know that at the time. He did miss his football banquet for church though. WHY oh WHY must they not respect Sunday morning???)

At the parade, we met a wonderful family who seemed to have marchers in ALL of the Bethlehem schools. We cheered and clapped for all of the bands, as we usually do. When they saw us standing up and getting excited that it was FINALLY time for our band, they asked the name of our child. When we told them, all 20 or so people in their family just cheered their heads off for Kairi. It was GREAT, and really a reminder that families everywhere probably have the same crazy schedules we do - but we all do it all for our kids.

Tough Guy

"I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down!"

Nicky's coach made a comment that reminded me of the song lyrics above. He said that Nicky was the toughest kid on the team.

Not the fastest, mind you.

Not even the most talented, and that's okay.

Because when it comes down to it, football should be all about GRIT. According to Nicky's coach, no matter how many times he gets knocked down, or tackled, he just pops right up again and tries again. He wasn't always in the game this year. It's his first year, and he played a lot of second string. But when he was in, he gave his all. And that's quite an accomplishment for a tough little 8 year old.

You go, Nick!

What Gas Prices?

I have the solution to the energy crisis right here. Just harness the sheer power of Nick, and we'll be all set.

At the very least, it works for Faith!

I Hate Homework

As a teacher, I understand why teachers have to give homework, of course. I understand why it's so important for Nicky to practice what he learns.

But enforcing homework time with a child who especially hates it is no fun at all! I am proud of him for always trying, even when he doesn't want to!

Hellertown Halloween Parade

We were excited to share the Halloween parade with the girls and Barry this year.

Juli was less excited.

The usual strange collection of floats and vehicles was entertaining.

And Nicky loved chasing after the candy (though not splitting it with the girls, greedy little rat).

But the real highlight, as always, was the Saucon Valley Marching Band.

It was extra special of course because Kairi was getting to march! Looked like she enjoyed it, too.

A Sweet Tradition

Even though we were crazy busy, we decided to squeeze in our Halloween party. We simplified the food, (but kept the SUGAR - it is Halloween, after all!) reused last year's decorations, and planned easy games. The kids found perfect costumes, after much searching. Nicky was rocking the Boba Fett look...

While Kairi had an evil fairy thing going.Or were they both just weirdos?? Hard to tell... Of course we invited the cousins...

And just a few other people.

To sum up, a good time was had by all! Except maybe Juli. (Until she figured out how fun it was to play with the hanging streamers!)

Leaves + Kids = Smiles

The pictures speak for themselves. The whole family got into playing with the leaves on a sunny Saturday morning. And why not?

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Scotty and I had a wonderful anniversary this year. I got flowers and two beautiful silver necklaces. Scotty got a new DVD player and dinner out at the Apollo Grille. Dinner was delicious, and dessert was served on a special glass tray with "Happy Anniversary" written between our desserts in chocolate! YUM! Plus, my family gave us a truly awesome new red saucepan - which we really needed!

Between all the gifts and fun and the romantic setting of Historic Bethlehem, we really celebrated our continued love in style this year.

Another Joy

Another joy of having the Camfields in the area is getting to take them to church. Especially when we have extra time to play!

Yes, they're probably too young to get much out of church just yet. But teaching them that church is a great place to be is a good start!

We've Got The Spirit!

So, it's crazy hot. We've been on a bus for HOURS. The kids are wearing polyester and standing in full sun. They've been on their feet practicing for another hour and a half after the bus ride. They finally get a break, and drink some water. So, what to do next? Randomly break into another song, of course. Without direction. Just because, hey, they REALLY like to play.

And try playing other instruments, just for fun. (They have an odd definition of fun.)


Then they get all gussied up in their band uniforms.

But do they run willy-nilly to their spot in the stands, like the other bands? I think not! Two by two, marching formation, playing songs as they go - you draw a lot of attention when you travel with the Saucon band!


Which is not to say they don't know how to have fun once they get to the stands...

But when they join the UDel band on the field, it's back to business!

Check out the video of UDel's band day performance (featuring Saucon, and oh, 1000 other kids) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fHARVt0pOI

To make the whole day especially thrilling, a gentleman tapped one of our directors on the shoulder and congratulated the band on their performance. Who was the gentleman? Why, none other than Senator (soon to be Vice President) Joe Biden!