This party broke our usual “same number of guests as you are old” rule.  Alexander was sick last year, and we didn’t have a party the year before that.  So extra friends seemed OK!

We had soccer games, a piñata, pizza and cake.

Aside from Alexander’s great happiness, I enjoyed James’ comment:  “You could have just gone to the store and bought a cake and a piñata, but I love how you made it instead.”

Good fun!

This afternoon the three of us got dirty planting some tomato and basil.

And harvesting a big bunch of lettuce.

If that isn’t enough green!

We decided to put our free green table to use producing some art.  I broke out some good paper, paints, pastels, etc.

double-arc

This motley crew was screaming louder than usual.

Turns out it was for good reason!

From this ↑

To this ↓

Today he played his first soccer game.

For a long time he said he didn’t want to play soccer.  Yet he was always kicking the ball with the neighborhood kids and his big brother!  Then, at a conference with school staff, we found out he always is playing soccer during recess–and that he could benefit from an organized team sport.  We signed him up late and after much deliberation.  He had one team practice where he “fooled ‘em all” into thinking he’d played on a team before!  Way to go!

Then, he decided to make another change.  A hair cut.  With a gelled up point in front.  He also finally lost one of his front teeth.  The other two next to it are all but falling out too!

Here’s to the fresh and new hair and experiences of Alexander!

…nervous and cotton mouthed…

…declaring my qualifications…

…to become a mom to this sad bundle…

…who has now become this joyful son of mine!

Happy Gotcha Day Alexander Soloviev Morey!  Your energy and strength keep me hopping.  You are smart, resourceful and determined.  You have grown from a quiet and withdrawn baby boy to a rambunctious fun-loving 3rd grader.  You have changed my life and I yours.  We are bonded for life my “Little Man” and I thank God for you today and every day!

As is our family tradition we went to the tree farm and cut our Christmas tree.  This year my brother and his family joined us.  We hiked out to the trees and the Scott’s made quick work of choosing and cutting.  The Morey’s, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to pick and each of the 3 kids had a turn with the saw.  As the sun set on the brisk evening we gathered back at the car for hot chocolate and cookies…desert before dinner!  (We did have dinner together too!)

Kate and Alexander had fun on this beautiful crisp fall day in the school Halloween parade.  They followed it up with class parties that included making a skeleton from noodle shapes and wrapping classmates in TP for mummification.  Just the beginning of the festivities for the weekend.  They are off of school on Monday AND Tuesday…