Soccer, Fall Season, and Carnivals

I love this time of year.  Although this is only my 2nd Fall in New England, I have come to realize that this is by far the prettiest season.  I like sledding in the snow, I enjoy the clean spring air, I minimally tolerate the summer, but the fall is absolutely perfect in my opinion.  You get to enjoy cooler weather, drive around with your car windows open, wear fun hats, take in the trees' vibrant colors, and attend the many small local festivals.  Last Fall was such a whirlwind for me as I was still adjusting to being a complete family once again.  But this year, I actually feel home.  What a relief that is!!  Nothing worse than just sitting around watching the world pass around me and not feeling like I belong in it.  But, this is a happy blog, so we won't relive last year. 
This is the first season that all 4 boys were old enough to play soccer.  Will and Oliver played last year, and although they enjoyed it, they really were not quite ready to fully engage.  Therefore, we skipped the Spring season, partly because Carter wasn't old enough yet to play and partly because we wanted them to get a little more age on them.  Anyway, they had their first game last weekend.  Bruce was the parent that got to take the three little boys.  Will and Ollie are on the same team and they actually played very well together.  Oliver scored two goals with extreme ease and had a few drives toward goal.  According to Bruce, he looked natural.  (I don't think that is just a proud dad talking).  We have always seen natural athletic ability from Oliver.  Will played defense and apparently that is a great position for him.  He didn't let a ball pass him.  He also had some forward drives.  This is a huge improvement over last year because most of the time during the games, you would find William sitting on the sidelines eating snacks.  The Bennett Brothers were the Dynamic Duo of the team.  Would have loved to see it. 

William doing one of the dribbling drills.
 

Will kicking the soccer ball...isn't he cute?



At one point before the game, Bruce captured a tender moment between Oliver and one of his teammates holding hands.  For those of you that don't know this, we suspect Oliver is somewhere  on the autism spectrum.  So, to find him being social and especially affectionate with another person outside of our family is very significant.  This pictures actually makes me tear up.  I love it. 

Carter, having never been on the official soccer field, was very excited.  He was also extremely proud of his new soccer clothes.  Carter was one of the younger kids on his team, but also one of the biggest.   On a young team like Carter's, they do not actually play a game.  The kids just practice easy drills in order to learn how to handle the ball.  This little league is like watching a small, kind of organized mess on the field.  But they are so cute at this age.  Carter is fast, strong, and apparently likes to play shot put with the soccer ball.  But other than that, he had a great time.  Carter has the physique of a football player.....so maybe, one day. 


See the strength? 



In perfect shot put formation!!  Too bad this is soccer.  LOL

 

And of course there is Zander, who has been playing soccer since he was 4.  He is 13 and plays on a league of 12 to 16 year olds.  This is an impressive league to watch because of the pace.  Zander has continued to increase his speed and agility on the field as there is so much competition in this age group. 

Carter is happy, but Will is unhappy because he says it's a baby ride!!

Another favorite part about the fall is the numerous small local festivals.  This past weekend, our family enjoyed the "Olde Home Days".  It was a fun little fair and the kids had a blast.  They rode just about every ride and of course enjoyed the mandatory junk food at the end.  But, in upcoming days, we have the Apple Fest, Pumpkin Fest, and pumpkin picking to look forward to.  I never thought I would be a girl to enjoy small town pleasures, but I have surprised myself.  We keep hearing this is a nice place to raise a family, and so far, they have been right. 

Carter wouldn't go unless Ollie joined him.  Brotherly love.

All four enjoyed this one.

Zander and Ollie

Zander and Will

You just HAVE to buy junk food at a fair :)

It would just be easier to hose him down.  He was a total mess!
 

I sit here now dreaming of apple cider, evenings in front of the fireplace, warm cozy blankets, fuzzy socks, and snuggling with the family.

 I also look forward to visits from family and my best friend this fall.



It just doesn't get any better than this.  So thankful for the beauty that surrounds me and for my family. 

First Week of Pre-K

The day finally came that William and Oliver were anticipating, their first day of Pre-K.  They were so excited, but nervous too.  It was fun witnessing their enthusiasm as they got dressed and ready for school.  They each had their lunch boxes, back packs, and smiles.  Today was a bittersweet day for me.  This was supposed to be the day that William began kindergarten, Oliver entered Pre-K, and Carter began preschool.  However, academically, William needed one more year of Pre-K.  The bittersweet part is because that now means Will and Ollie were going to share the same class.  Although Oliver was very excited about being together with Will, Will did not share that same enthusiasm.  The two of them have always been bonded, but Bruce and I have worked very hard to give them each some separation to encourage their individuality.  Being in the same class, we fear, will cause competition and comparison.  Oliver is extremely detailed oriented and although he appears to not be paying attention, he remembers EVERYTHING.  Will, on the other hand, has to work a little harder to commit something to memory (academically speaking).  Socially, Will has excellent skills and gets along with everyone.  Oliver is very socially inept.  Will has a tendency to be the peacemaker in the household and assumes the role of older brother exceptionally well.  He watches out for Oliver and frequently reminds him that he should behave.  So, being in class together may be a little difficult.  I cherish Will's heart and leadership as the bigger brother, but being in the same classroom could be rough. 

Each morning last week, the boys were still excited about returning to school.  That is always a good thing for a mom.  We prayed about where to place the boys this school year because their last school closed their doors due to low enrollment, and the school they were districted for was already full.  I was referred to Hollis Primary (which is one town away from us) by their districted school.  That very day, I called Hollis and that same morning that school had been approved to open up 2 new slots for students in my town.  God thing or what?  Those two slots were for William and Oliver.  If you are the praying type, you understand how nice it is to get confirmation.  I felt like God was leading us to this school, but when the confirmations began this week, it just gave me a peace.  Between the boys being so happy, their teachers being well equipped in the special education department, and the team already working on helping Oliver with various services, I just know that the boys have been placed in the right school. 

Their teacher called me last week just to give me an update and take the time to ask me what I thought.  She even noticed the burden that William puts upon himself to correct Oliver's behavior, while also protecting him.  So she took Will aside and explained to him that Oliver was the teacher's responsibility.  She wanted to relieve Will of any responsibility so that he could be freed up and could experience his own academic success.  I am so thankful for teachers that provide me with communication and truly care about their students.  I know they work hard for the little appreciation they receive.

Carter was left behind this year.  Even though he wanted to be in school like his big brothers, he has enjoyed staying home with me.  He cried the first day Will and Ollie went to school.....thus, this picture.  But he and I have had one on one time and it has been fun.  He is a completely different child when left to his own time.  He has been singing, dancing, and playing happily all week long.  He hasn't had to share anything.  I would say he was actually giddy. 

I look forward to enjoying my new schedule this year.  Having just one child at home, even if just for a couple of hours a day, it a whole new dynamic that I am embracing.  Having a peace about where Will and Oliver are attending school is a relief.  I can't wait to see the growth and maturity this year as Ollie and Will experience Pre-K. 

Final Year of Junior High.....YIKES!!

Wasn't I JUST walking this guy into his classroom on his first day of Kindergarten?  My same little boy that was so petite with a large vocabulary and even bigger mind.  Zander was the child that was ok with having mom walk him to class, but was ready for me to vacate very quickly because he was a "big boy".  He certainly didn't need his momma hanging around for those cute first day pictures of the classroom, his desk, or his teacher.  I love watching all the pictures of children on their first day of kindergarten on facebook because it brings back such sweet memories. 

Zander's 1st day. 

This is Zander's beloved Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Pounds.  There were many great teachers at Orange Park Elementary, but Mrs. Pounds was certainly the absolute best Kindergarten teacher for Zander.  She truly loves children and Zander loved her so much.  He still fondly talks about Mrs. Pounds.  We were  fortunate that he had such a positive beginning.  Until we moved to New Hampshire, we were looking forward to having Mrs. Pounds teach our three little guys.  Orange Park Elementary was a special school.  Small in size but large in heart.  Considering all the over-crowding of schools in our area, OPE was able to stay small and quaint.  The principal knew all the children's names and was able to match parents with their child.  Because this school was in such demand, they maintained a waiting list for enrollment.  Beau and I actually camped out on the school grounds for 3 nights to secure a spot for Zander.  Even after 3 nights of camping out, we were still only #17 on the list.  Some parents camped out for an entire week before the enrollment.  They of course were #1 and #2 on the list.  Being #17 didn't allow us to initially enroll at OPE.  There were only 16 openings.  However, literally 1 day before school began, we got the phone call that they had room for him.  An opening became available at the last minute.  We considered ourselves incredibly lucky.  The school did the "camping out" event annually, but Zander's class was the last year that used that avenue for enrollment.  Now, they use a lottery system.  I must say, however, camping out allowed Beau and I to meet the other parents and children and that was a precious time for us.  We truly enjoyed out time there.  Parents came together to to cook meals together while our children all played together.  Such fond memories. 

 

Well, last week I sent Zander off to his first day of 8th grade.  8TH GRADE!!!  Last year of junior high.  The last milestone before high school.  I have been looking at old pictures this week and have really enjoyed reminiscing over Zander's "first day of school" pictures and reflecting on his successes and his not-so successes.  He's growing into a young man before my very eyes.  He has traded in his crayons and stick glue for lockers and rotating schedules.  It is amazing, though, that whatever his age, I still have the same worries as I did when he was in kindergarten.  I guess it is true what my mother said.....he will always be my baby.