Picking out Pumpkins

The boys and I went to get pumpkins this past weekend. I needed a couple of big ones for the porch and other fall decorations and they insisted on getting small ones for each of their rooms. Jack's just counting down the days now until he can make an "angry pumpkin," aka, jack-o-lantern.

While we were there, they found an 1,000-pound pumpkin to sit with. Jack wanted to take it at first, but I convinced him I couldn't get it into the car.



Fall Soccer

Somehow, September got  away from us. The weather is finally starting to cool down, football season is well underway and we're in full swing for fall soccer. Last year, Jack spent much of his time sitting on the sidelines of the soccer field -- by choice. He would get distracted by the crowd or just want to take a self-imposed break.

This year, we see touches of that, but he's doing much better and finally sees the value (I hope) of staying on the field for his team. He's a pretty good goalie, can throw the ball in really well and we're working on everything else.

First, though, this picture. I think it may be my all-time favorite photo of those two. John is talking to Jack about hustling on the field. I'm guessing the talk involved a Halloween treat somehow.






My favorite part of 4- and 5-year-old soccer is this herd mentality. They run in groups. Everywhere.



 

Distracting Ben is a full-time job on the soccer field. He's dying to get out there and play.

Fall Festivals Begin

Memphis is supposed to hit 90 degrees next week, but we're watching football and attending fall festivals anyway. Ruby and I took the kids to the Germantown Festival today, one of many we'll hit before the end of October. We had fun touring the craft tables and the kids loved the games and bouncy toys. I even got a nap out of Ben.

Grandparents Day

My niece, Mary Beth, celebrated Grandparents Day at her school yesterday. And because neither my sister or I have parents/in-laws who live close, we usually do these for each other. I was the youngest "grandparent" there, Mary and I were able to celebrate just the same with punch and cookies.
 

 

 

I'm catching up these days. The boys started preschool on Aug. 22 and for one year, they are in the same spot. Jack is doing 4K again and Ben is working on 2K. Just a few days in, and the teachers were telling me how different these boys can be. Jack has been around the place for a while, but they are just getting a chance to meet Ben, aka, Destruction.

They are in different classes, but get to spend time together in the gym in before and aftercare. Like a lot of brothers, the teachers have to break up a few wrestling matches, but other than that, we love having them in the same spot. I asked Ben to name his best friend at his new school. His answer: "My broda Jack."

I'm almost embarrassed to post these -- my camera was acting up and I didn't have the patience to grab my iPhone and get something better. Nevertheless, these are my obligatory first day of school pictures. I took the day off to get the boys settled. After John woke from his midnight shift, we grabbed a really long lunch. Really long. As in, we survived summer and will sit and enjoy lunch and a beer, even if we're here 3 hours.



Middle Tennessee, minus me

We are just a few days away from the start of preschool in the Mettee house and I, for one, am ready for a little structure to our days. Before everyone gets back into the routine, John took the boys to Mount Juliet this past week to see Pop and Grammy for a couple of days. Having different days off than John, I stayed back in Memphis and begged for any photos I could get from the trip. John came through.

Much of the family made it to the Wilson County fair on Tuesday night. Jack got to hang out with big cousins Anna and Ryan -- not to mention Pop and Grammy -- so he was a happy boy. He's still telling me how brave he was on some of the rides.  



The crew in jail -- at least that's what Jack told me when I asked.

Soccer. Sort of.

Fall soccer practice started back a couple of weeks ago -- right in the middle of our Memphis heatwave. Practice, for now, is in the church gym, which is always cool but can bring challenges to dribbling. Picture seven 5-year-olds chasing balls up and now the court as they practice dribbling. It brings great entertainment on Sunday afternoons.

Last fall, we spent a good amount of time coaxing Jack back onto the soccer field after he'd wander off. We're hoping for a longer attention span this fall and for a little more endurance. So far, so good. Well, better at least. True to form, though, Jack still makes sure to find time to socialize during practice. Here he is with his friends, Anna, and Grant.

Meanwhile, Ben is still itching to get in the action.