Bend It Like Beckham

We are officially soccer parents around here. It has been kind of nice, because Del has pretty much taken over the responsibility of running the boys around to games and practice since the first games. For those I was on my own because he was out of town, and the fields the boys were on were about a mile apart, I swear, and I had to leave Will to take Wally down to his field. He started crying while I was gone. Luckily some friends that are in our ward were there and kept an eye on Georiga while she covered herself in mud for me, and brought Will to me after the tears started. After all the hiking around from field to field with about two tons of wet grass stuck to me, I thought I was about to go into labor. We made it through however, dirty and worn out. I think my story evoked all kinds of pity from Del, and he hauls them around.


Will is not very into the "group" mentality of this sport. He kind of hangs back, when he will play at all.


Look at that form.


Wally scored his first goal in the game on Saturday. He was beyond excited. Del said he kept jumping up and down and laughing. Del said he threw a big celebration of his own on the side line because Wally was just so enthused by the goal! He pulled one over on that pesky goalie!


Wally's kick has quit the wind-up.

Notes From The 1st Grade

Wally has been going to 1st grade for a few weeks now, and true to Wally form, it has not been uneventful. Here is a sampling of the notes that have been sent home so far from dear Mrs. Neumann...


-Dear Jessica,

Today I had to tell Wally not to pick up so many rocks from the ground while he is at recess. He has his pockets so loaded down with them that he can barley keep his pants up in class. Could you encourage him at home to leave things he finds outside, on the ground?

Thanks,
Mrs. Neumann




-Dear Jessica,
Today when I asked Wally if he would be having hot or cold lunch, he brought me a lunch box and told me he was eating cold lunch. Then during lunch time, I was called to the cafeteria because Wally did not have anything to eat. We figured out he was supposed to eat hot lunch today, and he had picked up another student's lunch box and showed that to me. Could you please include a note in his folder in the morning to let me know what he will be having at lunch, as he is still a bit confused by the choices?

Thanks,
Mrs. Neumann


-Dear Jessica,
Today a Birthday treat was passed out for a little girl in our class. Wally picked up the Birthday Girl's treat off her desk and ate it. He felt really bad and apologized for what he had done without me prompting him to do so. I praised him for that. I know that he feels really bad, but I did want to let you know that I had to move his name out of the stars today.

Thanks,
Mrs. Neumann



-Dear Jessica,
This was so cute! Today I passed out the spelling word work sheet and told the children to use their best handwriting on their work. When I came back around to check on Wally, he had traced the outline of his hand on the worksheet.

Mrs. Neumann


I have no doubt that there will be plenty more where those came from. I anticipate opening his backpack every day, anxious at what I will find. When I gasped about him eating the Birthday treat of the Birthday girl, Wally told me very quickly,
"It was an accident mom. And I felt all weird! I felt like this..." (he then folded his arms across his chest and put one foot over the other one, screwed up his face funny and bowed his head.)
Then he said,"And my eyes were like this..." ( he made circles with his fingers around his eyes and started tearing up.)

I told him that is what is feels like to feel embarrassed and feel sorry for what you have done. We decided that he could make a card for the girl and send a special treat to school to give her to say sorry. I think he felt a lot better after he was able to do that. I just hope that all the talk about how we have to think before we do things so that we don't hurt other people, and embarrass ourselves sink in. I hate having to watch my children learn those lessons, but they are also so important as they grow.

I think we are in for an interesting 1st grade ride!

Happy Birthday Del!

What Would I Do Without Del?

Well, I would...

-Have to take out the garbage. Hate it.
-Worse, I would have to bring the garbage can back up from the curb after pick-up. I don't know why I hate it.
-I would not meet my quota on Buffalo Wild Wings Boneless Wings consumption for the year. Del is obsessed.
-I would not eat at Cafe Rio almost every day when we visit Utah. I like it but...I think Del is the only one that can handle that much intake of the stuff.
-I would have to set the alarm every night. He is handy like that.
-I would not wake up with someone else's arm lying across my forehead in the morning.
-I would not know so much about random old folks personal lives, and personal hygiene. Del is so patient and good at his job!
-I would not have anyone to join me in the "Search For the Best Banana Shake In North America."
-I might not know many of the amazing friends I have. Del is my social network consultant. So grateful
-I would not know how important a front pocket is in dress shirts for work.
-I could have spent my life oblivious to how much Del likes my yoga pants. (probably a little more before I was seven months pregnant.)
-I would not be familiar with just how COOl McGyver was in the 80's.
- I would not know how annoying some people think TOO many pillows on the bed are. For me, the more the merrier!
-I would not have known the person that could probably set the record for falling asleep when their head hits the pillow.
-Hence, I would not know what it was like to tell a long, rambling story in the dark, and then after a long pause, end with, "Del, are you asleep." The answer is usually silence.
-I would have to mow the lawn.
-I would not have had the steady comfort of Del next to me during life's up's and down's.
-I would not have three great kids, and one on the way.
-I would probably not have a red head. Thanks for the genes babe!
-I might not have the example of a worthy priesthood holder like Del for my boys.
-I would not have put myself up for risk like we have, or reaped the rewards.
-I would not have such a great example of "early to bed, early to rise." Del keeps good habits.
-I would not be as content, happy, taken care of, and mentally sound without Del. (We are working on the mentally sound thing as a team.)
-I would have missed out on the love of my lifetime!

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH DEL. Happy Birthday! Oh, and you are not old yet. You have one more year, no matter what Wally says!

A New Adventure For Little Will

Will started his second year of pre-school today. He has been so excited for this.



But Mom has been a little nervous. Why?....



He takes the school bus this year!


What a big boy he is! It made me a little sad. They keep growing up! We sure do love this funny guy.

The Family Reunion

Grandma, and Grandpa Clark.


I love Mother, she loves me, we love Grandpa, yesiree...


We attended the Clark Family reunion for my mom's side of the family while we were in Utah. I have a whole lotta family on both sides, so it is always fun to catch up with everyone, and see all the growing great-grandkids. The reunion was held in Logan, where my grandparents were married in the Logan temple, and in Clarkston, Utah. The town named after one of my pioneer ancestors, Israel Justice Clark. He also founded Vernal. New info for me on this trip.

We had a nice time visiting the farm, playing games, doing crafts, and enjoying all the talents performed at the talent show. We ate yummy food, coordinated, and prepared by my Aunt Jean's family, and spent a lot of time enjoying the HOT Utah weather. I have a lot of great people to look up to in my family, all of the stemming from the great example of my grandparents. We named our oldest, Wallace after my Grandpa Clark. Wally will always have someone he can look to for good decisions in his Great-Grandpa. I know that we are so blessed to have them in our lives!

Bumps on a log. Getting on this thing was a little tricky, anything for a photo op!


Me, my mom and sisters. I love the image of my dad jumping over a little stream of water in the background. What athleticism!
Jessie, Emily, Lauren, Shelley, and mom Janell.


Me and my family. My dad is the father of many girls. He does such a good job of it!


My boys. I still can't believe none of us fell in the water. My cousin Angie's poor little girl did, however.


The goats.


Georgia


I'm a little tea pot, short and stout.


Ready to ride!


Giddy-up Cotton! My sister Emily's little boy Jack. He was so cute, holding on to his helmet, not the horse.


Jack's twin, Annie.


Wally is excited.


Ride on Cowboy!


All the grandkids, and great-grandkids performing the chicken dance. We are just talented like that, what can we say?


My mom with her parents, siblings, and their spouses.


Best friends. Who else would give you their lap as a pillow when you are tired?


Tie-dye! So much fun!


Lauren and baby MacIntosh.


Cupcake decorating.


Lots of crafts for all, coordinated by the lovely Jennifer.


Aunt Jean and Will.


Mom helping Wally.


Owen getting the "major, mom wipe down," from Shelley.


Dad and the boys getting crafty.


Emily helped Will make a lovely flower clip for his hair. He was very proud. He wore it out to play baseball after this. It is perfectly accentuated by the dirty face wipe marks on his sleeve.



I love my family, and my heritage! I learned so much more about the strong people I came from during this reunion, and from my parents at home afterward. We have a lot to live up to, and some strong footprints to follow. We had a great time in Cache County!