Sept Wrap Up

September kicked off what promises to me a very busy fall season for the Winters house.

Grayson finished up the first session of soccer last Saturday.

He had to make sure to pass the ball with a good hard kick to impress Teagan (his cute blonde partner).

B desperately wants to be out on the field too. This is the only way to keep him out of trouble.

Team picture with Coach Gray. We are going to do another 6 week session with Coach before we try some other sports out.

Brothers being goofballs!

Rolling in the grass is so funny :)

Here is a video of Grayson dribbling the ball down field to make a goal.

School has also been going very well. Grayson has learned quite a few new things in his first few weeks. Here he is telling us the days of the week. Sunday seems to be a hard one to remember. After summersaulting in front of the priest during the procession to begin mass this past week, I'd block it from my mind too..... ah, kids.

This and That

Well, both of the boys are sick which makes for a bummer of a weekend.

Luckily for our readers, I still have pictures that I've been too busy to post all week.

Last weekend we had some fun riding bikes. Grayson has gotten pretty good at peddling, but he still likes Daddy to put his hand on his back sometimes for security.

Brayden has his own bike which both the boys agree is great to sit on while you take turns riding the big bike.

This is his "really" face. As in are you really trying to stop me from running wild so you can take more pictures.

Grayson brought home his first art projects from school. They learned all about what makes them each special and about families so he made a little Grayson person. He also wrote and decorated his name. Both are proudly decorating my fridge!

Last, but not least, I got this beautiful fall arrangement from Hubby just because. The picture doesn't do all the apples and berries justice.

The weather today wasn't insanely humid so with the breeze, I decided to wear jeans with my tank top and flip flops and pretend that fall really was coming to Okinawa. Remind me next year when I am raking leaves how much I wanted the fall season :)

My running buddies and I are up to about an 8 mile run this week. If anyone has any tips on how to make sure your knee does not hurt while running, let me know.

Pictures of the Week

We finished last week up strong. Grayson is in love with school and asks to go every day. I think B is enjoying the one-on-one time with Mommy too, and I can get so much done!

Soccer is still going well too, although it is so hot that during water breaks the kids have to water down their heads to keep cool.

We are hoping that fall and pumpkin spice lattes make it to Okinawa soon.

This week's project.... decide and order halloween costumes for the boys!

All About Gray

Last week, we had open house at Grayson's school. The parents go with the kids to meet the teachers and classmates and show them where the classroom is.

Grayson was a little shy at first, but by the end of the half hour, he gave his teacher a hug good-bye. I think this opportunity really made Grayson feel more comfortable about going to school.

Over the weekend, Grayson had his second soccer practice, which he rocked. What difference it makes having Daddy there. Here is a picture of them getting warmed up.

Grayson making a goal!

Posing for a quick pic before running back to practice.

This week started off with Grayson very excited for his actual first day of school. As soon as we got there, a group of kids came up to Grayson to tell him his backpack was cool, and he had some instant friends. Thanks for the help Unc!

Giving B kisses good-bye. He gave me a big hug too and went off into his classroom without a second thought. Not that I wanted him to have trouble going to school, but I was a little surprised how easily he let go (and a little sad to see him go).

Unfortunately, most of the time when we ask Gray to take a picture with his brother his love turns into him choking him.

This is Grayson's new smile. A bit scary.

He was still excited about school when I picked him up and couldn't wait to go again!

We can't wait to see what the rest of the school year holds!

Busy Weekend

Our weekend started off a little rocky. It was Grayson's first soccer practice. He was really excited to get dressed for it and put his new spikes and shin guards on. He was really excited to get into the car with his water bottle and hat. And then when we pulled up to the field, he didn't want to play soccer anymore..... so we spent an hour watching other kids practice from the sidelines (that is why no pictures). He says he is going to try next week.

Things started pickin up with a Lightning McQueen birthday party including a CARS bounce house. Needless to say, Grayson was in heaven. I am surprised the hostess was able to get him to stop for this picture.

Daddy also made it home which always makes for happy boys.

Of course Michael had to rise to the challenge of dunking in the bounce house.

Sunday, Michael and the hubbies from the command did a fantasy football draft so some of the girls and I took the kids bowling. B got his first chance to roll one down himself.

The kids did great for 6 frames. We decided to cut our losses and move on to a newly renovated playground close to home.

Grayson was once again on the move the whole time, and I got a workout in too chasing B.

The last part of our weekend was spent on home improvement.

My sea glass finally got a home in this pedestal vase.

Best of all, my keepsake wall was finished!

On tap this week, I go for my first long run to train for the upcoming 13K and half marathon, and we have open house with Grayson's teacher.

Cape Maeda

Today we had a very important playdate so we started preparing yesterday by making these watermelon rice krispie treats to take.

Once a week for the past 12 weeks, we've met our friends to explore somewhere new on the island for summer playgroup.

Today was the last date.

We went to some pretty cool places that I might not have ventured out to on my own.

Today was probably one of, if not, my favorite.

Maeda Flats!

There were tons of picture perfect spots to click that special shot in, if you don't have toddlers that you are trying to hold on to like I do.

The water was warm and shallow....

perfect for finding lots of different critters and fish.

When I caught up to my little explorer, he did pose nicely for me.

But, this is still the best shot I can get of them together. Someday, I will have them both looking and smiling.

After a few snacks on the beach, we went to Maeda Point to grab some lunch. Michael has been diving there before so Grayson thought it was cool to be able to see where daddy goes when he dives.

Our friend bought the kids these cute sharks and whales to play with while we waited for taco rice, which was amazing by the way. It was so food in fact, I wish I had more for dinner tonight.

We are sad to see summer playgroup go, but when we got home we had packages waiting to get us excited for school. Grayson got new clothes, new shoes, and the best of all a new backpack from Unc Ad and Aunt Katie! With a spiky shell he was ROARING up a storm he was so excited.

Another typhoon and tropical storm in the neighborhood. Let's hope they miss us!