OPPOSITE SIDES

Last year, Noah and his friend were on the same soccer team during the fall and spring league. Not only were they on the same soccer team, but also in the same 2nd grade class. Through soccer and school a friendship formed. This year, the boys are not in the same class or on the same team, so it was exciting to play one another. Both teams did a GREAT job passing, defending and shooting on the goal. Jacob spent the first half as goalie and did a tremendous job--never allowing our team to score although it wasn't for lack of effort. The final score: Turquoise 2/Lightning Bolts 1. It was fun to spend time with Jacob's Mom and to watch the boys together on the field--just like last year! Great job to both Noah and Jacob!!

THESE FEET WERE MADE FOR WALKING...

Lots of feet patiently waiting to walk.
Noah beginning the Walk A Thon
All smiles during the event
Eli and Noah
Jack, Noah and Jacob

Noah's sturdy walking feet
Noah and the Alcott Owl--"whoooo could it be"?
Mom and Noah during a brief sunny moment

A "resting" Noah midway through the "Walk A Thon"

This afternoon the PM kindergarteners, 1st graders, 3rd graders and 4th graders participated in the "Walk A Thon" fundraiser sponsored by the PTA (the other grades walked this morning). It's a crisp autumn day. The sun has been shining for the past 2 weeks, but today it disappeared behind a blanket of clouds. The lack of sunshine didn't dampen anyone's spirits! The kids walked, ran and skipped around the track at the nearby high school from 1pm until 2pm. I think this fundraiser is a welcome relief to the magazine sales and other school sponsored fundraisers!

And it's a lot more fun!!

A SPECIAL SPECTATOR

Papa Larry and Alexander
From the sideline shot
From the stands shot--big difference, eh?
The cheerleaders had a new cheer this week and concluded with a pawprint for the Jaguars

Another shot from the sidelines (see, much better)Way to go #47!!
Papa scheduled a "sub" for his bowling league, so he could watch his grandson play football. Grammy was unable to make the trip as she doesn't arrive home from school until later in the afternoon; too late for the 1 1/2 hour drive to Columbus (we missed you Grammy).

Alexander was SO excited to have Papa in the stands watching the game. The boys won their game 20-0--still undefeated. I decided at the very end of the game to take pictures from the sideline (on the field). WOW--what a totally different perspective of the game--I could hear the coaches yelling and the players yelling as well. I think I prefer the sidelines to sitting in the bleachers. Guess where Mom will be next game--yep, on the field--as long as I'm not spied by Alexander, or my field time will be over!

Thanks Papa for watching Alexander play!!!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED--TAKE 2

OK, so being new to the blogging world, I have no idea how to comment on the map listed in the "Mission Accomplished" blog below, so adding a new blog is my solution. Just a note the red path on the map is ONE WAY--we had to bike home too!!

My neighbor and I have talked quite a bit about biking to Easton and back, but never really had the time to do so...until today! We left our homes after the boys were safely on the bus and headed out. Another neighbor advised us to drive to Alum Creek Park and then take the path, but we decided we're "tough girls" and rode our bikes to Alum Creek Park instead of driving. Note to self--drive to Alum Creek Park next time (if there is a "next time").

We rode through Westerville and arrived at Alum Creek Park located just South of the Otterbein College campus. The trail follows "Alum Creek" and large trees offer much needed shade the majority of the way. The path is very scenic and at several points we crossed Alum Creek via elaborate bridges. We arrived at Easton around 10:30am; good guess Beverly! We decided to make a pit stop and opted for a quick bagel and water at Panera (OK, Diet Coke for me) before beginning the trek home.

Twenty-four miles later, Beverly and I are both home and we can now cheerfully (well, maybe not so cheerfully yet) say that we biked to Easton and back. I'm SO proud of us!! However, I'm wondering if I'll be able to sit in the bleachers this evening to watch Alexander's game. I had no clue my bum and legs would be so STIFF! Oh well, "mission accomplished"!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

AMAZING FIREWORKS ALTERNATIVE

Who needs fireworks, when you can witness hot air balloons lighting the night sky?! We caught the tail end of the show, but it was one of the most amazing sights--absolutely beautiful. There were 7 balloons scattered on the lawn. We saw all the balloons lit at once and then a couple balloons lit individually. Alexander, Dee and I went right up to the base of one of the balloons and I asked if I could take a picture looking up into the balloon. Have you ever see a hot air balloon basket close, it's VERY tiny...not much room for more than 4 people; probably less if you want to be somewhat comfortable. None the less, the balloons were absolutely breathtaking in the dark, so I can only imagine how gorgeous the sight would have been in the daylight.

What an amazing alternative to fireworks!

ESCAPE FROM COLUMBUS

An "escape from Columbus" was just what we needed yesterday! Following Noah's soccer practice, we piled into my car, Sophie included, and travelled about an hour to Indian Lake, Ohio. Trey's parents camped this weekend and we decided to spend the day with them at their campsite. Of course, the priority of the day was listening to the Bucks on the radio--once the game ended, then we were allowed roam the campground and visit the craft show. Grammy has established a tradition of ice cream cones and cow tail candies; Saturday was no exception. Trey's aunt and uncle also stopped by for a quick visit before returning to Lima via Rob's "new" Harley. The boys thoroughly enjoyed a quick "seat" upon the bike.

When Trey's parents first began camping Alexander wasn't quite 3 years old! If I remember Dee correctly, they borrowed a tent and packed hotdogs and s'mores makings...wondering if Alexander would even eat a hotdog or s'mores. They slept in sleeping bags and kept busy at the campground. Years later, they now own a very comfortable travel trailor (complete with all the amenities of home) and are anxiously awaiting news on a "permanent" camp site. A pontoon boat is also a possibility which Noah has already affectionately named the "USS Buckeye"!--makes me giggle, but it's so appropriate!

Thanks Papa and Grammy for a wonderful day camping!

An introduction to "Cornhole"

The teams: Grammy & Alexander VS Trey & Noah

(Dee & Larry's campsite: Indian Lake, Ohio)
One of two "Cornhole" boards
"Hey--where's the other bean bag?...SOPHIE!"
Such great form Grammy!
Here comes the bean bag--will it land in the hole?
Such concentration-notice the tongue!
Hmmm--you have 2 points, we have one; I think...
More concentration...


We were first introduced to "cornhole" by our friends Ted & Michelle during a summer visit to Cincinnati several years ago (we lived in GA at the time and had NEVER heard of the game). However, we didn't really participate in the game until last summer at an OSU tailgate party with friends.

There are two boards facing one another about 25 feet apart. You and your teammate stand across from each other (refer to top picture if confused). One player begins tossing the bag and attempts to place the bag through the hole on the opposite board--scoring 3 points; NOT an easy accomplishment. Then, play continues alternating players on same side (for example, Noah and Alexander alternate turns on same side; although they're not on the same team). Points are added at the conclusion of each round-3 points in the hole, 1 point if the bag lands on the board. Then, the other side tosses; continue alternating sides tossing the bean bags and scoring after each round. The game concludes when the first team reaches 21 wins! It could take quite a while for the game to end. Who knew tossing bean bags could be so much fun for kids and adults! The amazing thing--we saw LOTS of people playing cornhole on our walk throughout the campground; maybe it's a Midwest game??

By the way, we do have our own "cornhole" game too...we wanted to be included in the fun.

That was THEN, this is NOW...

Noah and his new 3rd grade teacher
Noah in front of Alcott this morning
Noah and his former 3rd grade teacher
Noah in front of Robert Frost Friday afternoon

Noah was so disappointed that he didn't get to begin school on Monday, or Tuesday, so this morning he was ready to return to Alcott. I drove him to school and when we entered the office, he was greeted with "welcome back Noah" from both secretaries, the principal and assistant principal. We climbed the stairs to the second floor and found Noah's new teacher. She greeted Noah warmly and welcomed him back to Alcott. I know he's having a GREAT day and I can't wait to hear all about what it felt like to be back at Alcott when he arrives home this afternoon!