Spookarama

Here is a preview of the kids Halloween costumes. I think it is evident that we have one Nemo, but it may not be quite so clear that we also have one octopus.

On Thursday evening we had a trial run with the costumes when we went to Spookarama at J's school. The PTA sold tickets and with them the kids could play games, do a cake walk, karoke, etc and of course they got to wear their costumes.

At the Braun's party on Saturday night, H and G showed off their scary teeth. They looked hysterical, but it was kind of gross because they kept switching teeth.

The Fall Varsity Sports Line Up

We have three fall sports we've all been busy training for: soccer, cyclecross, and potty training.

There are no humiliating photos of H sitting on the potty reading books posted here, but they do exist.

The photo of the kids on the playground is from this past weekend's cyclecross race in Ranier, OR. John didn't race, and I can't take photos and ride at the same time; so I have no action shots to post.

J has been playing soccer this fall. They don't actually play any REAL games, just scrimmage with each other during practice. But they gave the kids a uniform which they were supposed to wear to picture day. I couldn't bring myself to pay for photos of a team that wasn't really a TEAM, but obnoxious mom that I am, I took my camera to take a few action shots while they were in uniform. J has made great strides from the first practice. That day he had a sit down strike on the field and declared that he didn't like soccer and wasn't ever going again. Now, he joins a pack of boys who play soccer on the playground at recess.

J's friend in the middle photo was his best pal at Wee Works. They go to different schools, but they have rediscovered each other at the pool this summer and then again at soccer. That's what I love about this neighborhood. Portland may be big, but we might as well live in a small town.

It's amazing how fast the kids are growing and how much they are both learning. It's something new and funny and cool every day.

cyclocross race

It was a beautiful fall day, and we spent it outdoors at a cyclocross race. I took a lot of photos of friends racing and not so many of the kids, but as you can see, like father like son with the hair on little J.

H is probably looking a bit sad because her mother spent so much time packing bike gear and snacks for everyone that she forgot the diaper bag.

What's with the boy scout uniform? While not everyone is in costume, it's pretty much anything goes at these races. J was jealous of the guy in the Van Halen crop top.

I raced too. I couldn't take photos of that. I had been kind of dreading it--the getting in the way of other racers as I fumbled my way over the barriers and such, but I had a blast. I haven't had this much fun since the old days of mountain bike racing.

You never know; maybe we'll do another race this season...maybe.