Amazing Improvement

OK, I've posted about Aspen's soccer games a few times. I just want to say that I am so proud of how far she's come in a year of playing. She looks so athletic running across the fields. Today we played against the fastest player from our team last year and Aspen ran just as fast as her most of the time. She scored a goal, and was tough too.

I see the positive impact of soccer outside of the sport too. Aspen is sincerely tough. I've seen plenty of kids who get bumped and start crying. Aspen will do something obviously hurts a great deal and really makes an effort to be tough an ignore it. I love knowing that if she's crying, it's because she really did get hurt.

To her credit, Oakley is no slouch either. At practice this week, we were playing Red Rover. (I let Oakley practice with our team.) Well, Oakley was the last one called across and she was not about to go down softly. She barrelled across the field at full speed. When she arrived at the other side, she picked the spot between two strong girls. It didn't work out well for Oak, she got absolutely clotheslined. Her feet flew up in the air as high as her head was. A parent told me afterward he'd heard her teeth clack togther. She took a moment before she cried, and I picked her up. She said adamantly, "Who stepped on my hair!?" as if it was the only thing that had actually bothered her. I love the tough girls.

"I love these bagels"

So, Krispy Kreme has long been a favorite in the Martin family. While I have admitedly strayed toward Dunkin a few times lately, we certainly enjoy them.

So, Jenn and Aspen picked some up on the way home tonight. As Oakley was eating hers, she unknowling said, with passion,

"I love these bagels."

Oakley's School Note: 9.12.2006

Alright, so Oakley is off to a great start at her pre-school. Like Aspen, she's going to the Day School at our church (Brentwood United Methodist). Miss Sherrie is her teacher, and everything is going very well. We were really proud of Oakley based on her note from the 12th, quoted here:

"We made our fingerprints and looked through a magnifying glass at them. Made paper dolls, went to music with Sara, and sang the popcorn song.

"Lunch & Quiet Time: Oakley really LOVES Santa Fe Chicken. She licked the lid! She's funny and SO polite!"

We thought that was really nice of Miss Sherrie and we're really proud of Oakley. She would never be accused of being really polite around the house, but we're really happy she chose to be so in public. And on top of that, it's really fun to know that someone else realized how funny she is. As you know, we just think she's funny all the time.

Stand and clap

Lindy, stand up and clap! 

Grammie's visit!

Grammie came for an awesome visit. I had to take a trip to Orlando (in the heat of August) and Grammie came down to fill in. I can't tell you how much everyone loved the visit. 

Mischievous

Look at this kid... cruising around into bizarre spots. 

Kindergarten: Week 1

School is officially under way, and we finally have some pictures to share. These pictures include Ms. Pullen,Aspen's teacher, and several shots of the room.

Aspen's loving it, by the way. No complaints at all. 

"I like that one"

OK, so Jenn and the girls were looking at a catalog of name tags for their backpacks. Aspen's always had one with pink and purple polka dots. Oakley was given the opportunity to choose hers.

Oakley: I'll take that one.
Jenn: The one with the wine bottle?!
Oakley: Yeah.
Jenn: No, honey, I'm sorry.
Oakley: OK, we can get it for Uncle Brian...

"Allergic"

Jenn: Oakley, finish you dinner.
Oakley: No. I'm allergic to cooked squash.

I have no idea where she got the idea about "allergic".

The closed mouth laugher

I probably can't convey this one without video, but I want to be able to remember that Lindy has a really funny laugh at this age. For whatever reason, she always laughs with her mouth closed (or most of the time at least). It almost sounds like a fake laugh, or like she's trying to get the rest of us to laugh.