What Graham's Reading

I love how much Graham is into reading these day! Now, don't let me totally fool you... there are still plenty of times where there is some grumbling and pre-teen eye rolling going on when it's "required reading". But for the most part he's really getting into what he's got open in front of him!

As a book worm myself I just LOVE this about him! When I was his age I could devour a book in less than a day. This used to drive my dad banana's always asking to be taken to the book store. :)

I know I have mentioned in the past that Graham has learning disabilities. Specifically dyslexia (or so we pretty sure. It's a long, boring, and pissy story in regards to his testing and the school district that I just won't get into now...).Graham puts in 110% to stay at grade level reading. I usually hang pretty close when he's reading to re-read a paragraph to double check for comprehension but almost always he's on target.

Recently our school had a book fair and Graham chose 3 different book!

I know that Graham picked well because I can easily see all of his interests represented right here! The one of top is about the Revolutionary war, the one in the middle is a spooky mystery, and the one of bottom is about service animals in WWII.

He is really ready to get started reading all of these but I'm making him finish his school library book first :).

He's reading Smells Like Dog. The parts I've read with him (yes, he still asks to be "read a story" at night :) ) are super cute!

My heart sings when I see his bedside table and it looks like this...

I just love my sweet reader! 

The Last Saturday of Soccer

Both my older two boys played their last soccer games of the year. They are both sad and happy all in one. Two practices a week and games on Saturday was getting a little tiring for them (and me). They will miss their soccer friends until next season.

They both played amazingly well today!

Grady played first at 12:00.

Grady did a wonderful job and played his best game yet!

Graham played next at 2:00. We stayed up at the fields in between games for Graham to get some extra goalie practice in with his coach before the game (more on that later).

Graham was chosen to play 1st half goalie for the last game! We were so proud of him! He really began to enjoy playing this position last year and has really bloomed at it this year. He did an amazing job and out of all the shots made on him he only let one ball through (the final score was 5-1 with our team winning!). The rest of the game he played both offensive and defensive positions.

This is what Griffin did for the 19 hours we out today...

Bless this sweet baby's heart. He slept, ate, and picked his nose right here the entire time. :)

Both my boys had amazing coaches who just did wonderful with the kiddos. There was nothing but positive encouragement and awesome training.

I have to brag on both Graham and his coach though. I got a couple of emails from him that just made my heart smile. I tried to explain to Graham when I read them aloud that this was not a coach that just throws around praise. I can't wait to see what next season brings!

"1 will be great. I don't want to tire him out too much before the game. I appreciate his determination to feel prepared and be as good as possible."

and...

"We'll play our final game of the Fall Season tomorrow at 2 PM on Field 8A. Unfortunately JT has another commitment so Sela's mom and I will be running the sideline. For anybody who wants an extended warmup, we'll be somewhere around one of the goals any time after 1 since Graham is dedicated to doing his absolute best in the goal, and he wants some extra practice."

The Rest Of Halloween

Basically this sums up our Halloween night...

This was not even one of those "stock Google images" photos. This was from our dining room table. I had everything spread out looking for needle holes and razor blades. Not one Butterfinger appeared to be safe. It all had to be safely stored in a Ziploc bag in my bedside table.

My kids were one gigantic blur last night. I got about 4 dark/blurry pictures of them while they appeared to be running for their lives (or the house next door to the one they just trick or treated at because "they might run out").

They all had an awesome time and I'll add some updated pictures of just them if I can steal some from my SIL. :)

Griffin had a blast on the Hay Ride that we did. By the end of the night he really had the candy collection process down pat. For the last two or three houses he even managed to say "Trick or Treat" in his Ijustturnedtwoandsoundadorable voice.

We had the best time hanging out with the cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncle (and numerous school friends).

I thought I'd include just a couple of pictures of some household Halloween things before it all comes down later today...

I free-handed that M yo...

I painted the pumpkins and made the wreath myself! (do you think it's Etsy shop material?)

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Halloween night too!