Outdoor soccer is officially over. JAD played his last game today and it was FULL of excitement. The boys went into this game knowing that they had to win or, at the very least, tie this team to maintain their second place standing (they played the third place team today). They were pumped up to begin with and JAD did his best to get them pumped up and stay that way throughout the game. The boys played hard and put their hearts (and some blood) into this game. One boy on the team was actually red carded and kicked out of the game. He came to 'sit' with the parents, but we had a very hard time keeping him off the field and from yelling at the refs. Everything went downhill from there. Two boys on our team went down at the same time in the last five minutes of the game - one took an elbow to the face (instant bloody nose) and the other was tripped and banged up his foot pretty well. NOT A SINGLE REF MADE A CALL OR STOPPED THE GAME. Talk about bad calls. Two players laying on the field with one holding his head and the refs - all THREE - let play continue. We finally had parents running onto the field to come to the aid of the boy and there were many mad parents (and players) talking calmly to the ref. Okay. Not calmly. Would screaming sound more appropriate? Because that's what was happening - and not with the best language, either. We did win the game - but there were a lot of hot parents and coaches and players. Our 'assistant' coach (father of the red-carded player) was almost tossed and our coach was being warned as well. At the end of the game, we had parents from the other team calling our parents and PLAYERS poor sports. Because that's good sportsmanship? These were the same parents who cheered and applauded when our player was red-carded. Because that's good sportsmanship, too. Uh huh. So, we ended the fall season with a very 'spirited' game and a record of 7-2-1. Now we move on to indoor soccer.
Just look at this backdrop. I still can't believe I get to see the mountains every time I look up.
Here, JADs arms are thrown up in protest - his teammate is getting red-carded and tossed from the game.
Coach promised the boys if they won the game today, they could paint his hair red. He's a man of his word!
JEDs music program at school was tonight. He laughed, sang, and giggled his way through the program. The big thing was that he really enjoyed being up on the risers with his fellow 2nd grade peers. They did a great job and the 1/2 hour program of 2nd and 4th grade singers was actually quite pleasant. I bet if you ask him nicely he'll sing for you.
There has been much cheering going on at my house this evening as the control in the House has changed hands. Many, many upheavals have taken place this evening - including our former resident state of (liberal) Wisconsin. It's amazing to see how the American people have stepped up and voiced their opinions to say that enough is enough and they want their voices to be heard and, most importantly, LISTENED TO. It will be interesting to watch what happens as all these new political figures take their posts in the coming months. I really hope that this will be enough to make some POSITIVE changes that will actually benefit the American people. Regardless, America has spoken and is demanding real change for real people. Bravo, America. Bravo.
Halloween was a big success at our house this year. My mom worked her fingers to the bone through sweat and blood and probably tears and words unmentionable to make my three girls' absolutely beautiful costumes this year. There were many oohs and aahs as we went around trick or treating this past Sunday. K and I decided to take our kids to the local mall to trick or treat before the city trick or treat time. Talk about insanity! There was one huge line that wrapped all the way around the indoor of the mall. Most stores had an employee standing outside the store handing out candy. We saw every type of costume on every type of person imaginable. The important thing was that the kids had a good time. We then went home and I took CED, JED, MED, and MAD trick or treating while JAD stayed home with two friends and K to scare little kids and pass out candy. Many people were impressed with our 'spooky' decor outside and apparently several little kids refused to even walk up our driveway. The weather was perfect (I went out in a light jacket and flip-flops - never could do that in WI and IL!) and we spent the entire time from 6 - 8 outside. All in all, a very good Halloween.
MED, the mermaid
MAD, the pumpkin
JED, the Skeleton Reaper with CED, the inmate escapee and MED, the mermaid
The whole ghastly crew - pumpkin, emperor of evil, mermaid, inmate escapee, skeleton reaper
Creepy Joker - the man I married
P.S. Thanks, mom. The costumes were a great hit! We're already planning next year. We're going with a 'theme' :)
What is Halloween without some pumpkin carving? I think I still have pumpkin guts on the table, chairs, wall... it's everywhere. CED later painstakingly went through and pulled out all the pumpkin seeds. There are a lot of seeds in five pumpkins...
After our destructive windstorm, we brought the pumpkins back into the house temporarily. JEDs pumpkin now has no face, thanks to Desi. Gotta love them dogs. (And yes, I did just use improper grammar. I'm a teacher, dammit, and I can do what I want. So there.)
Last night the winds visited us. They were vicious and mean and took every prisoner possible. Our entire Halloween display that K and the kids painstakingly worked on for two weekends is gone. Blown away. Destroyed. Never to be seen again, I'm sure. Not only that, the fence that runs along the southwest side of our yard was blown down. The kids playset was picked up and violently slammed down a few feet away. The backboard of our basketball hoop was sheared off. The stairs to our deck are precariously hanging and banging against the deck. Our garbage and recycling cans were emptied into our neighbors' back yard. And we discovered all this before seven a.m. I love Colorado but I HATE the wind. A neighbor had 3 sections of their fence blown down. Another neighbor's trampoline was picked up, blown across two yards, and broke a second story window and damaged their gutters. Yes, I said second story. This wind was unbelievable. My neighbor and I are guesstimating that the winds were gusting around 70 miles an hour. That's hurricane force wind. I HATE the wind!
Yesterday was our day that was packed full of soccer, soccer, and then some more soccer. CED had two games just south of Denver, so she and I and the two little ones headed up there for the day. Unfortunately, the games didn't turn out so great, but CED is learning how to direct her team and take control of the field. If only her teammates would start to listen... JAD had a BIG game yesterday morning. The other team won on a bogus handball call - they were given a penalty kick for something they clearly did, but the ref called on us. I don't think anyone can speak of it yet without getting really, really angry. JED also had a game and his team won without a problem. We finished up the night by attending the Colorado Rapids v. Real Salt Lake game. It was an exciting night - JAD and CED got to be a part of the pre-game parade and walked around the field with a couple of hundred other kids and coaches. The game was fun to watch (especially since I understand SO much more about soccer now!). The Rapids ended the 90 minutes winning the game. And then Real Salt Lake ended up tying the game in the last minute of extra time. Disappointing! We sat near some very excited RSL fans; they sure are spirited and enjoy supporting their team. I think everyone had a great time - the older kids are all talking that they would like to definitely go again several times next year.
Just look at this backdrop. I still can't believe I get to see the mountains every time I look up.
Here, JADs arms are thrown up in protest - his teammate is getting red-carded and tossed from the game.
Coach promised the boys if they won the game today, they could paint his hair red. He's a man of his word!
