The Boys of Fall

Landon's football season is coming to a close.  What a season, although this week was their first win as a team; it's been a fun season!  Landon has improved so much, and learned how to be a teammate and be a good sport.  Here are a few of our favorite pics from this season, he is number 8.

 Each player is announced over a loud speaker as they run through a tunnel of family and friends.

 Playing quarterback...where is spent the majority of his time this season.

 Passing the ball...him and his teammate, Lane, make lots of connections!

 Getting ready for a long snap.

Playing defense...the idea behind this football league is to become familiar with all areas of the game.

A Few Pictures

 So yes, this is taken from Facebook...I couldn't get it to work any other way.  Claire was in the Bentonville Public Schools weekly newsletter two weeks ago.

 We celebrated her birthday with our good friend, Beth Symons, by releasing 50 balloons into the air.

The kids with their loot from Daddy's trip to Canada.  No stuffed animal collection is complete without a moose!

Gram & Poppy Visit

This is a VERY late blog, but Gram and Poppy came to visit the last weekend in Sept.  They arrived in time to pick up the kids, who had no idea they were coming.  Their faces were priceless!  We spent the afternoon doing halloween crafts provided by Gram.  Everyone watched Landon's football game the next morning, and then a movie that afternoon.  In between we wandered the farmers market downtown and the Walmart museum.  Board games were enjoyed that night.  After church and some mexican food Sunday, they left for home.  It was, as always, a good time!

At It Again...

So I'm making blogging a priority again.  Plus it's pouring rain, I need to get out and run errands, and I have a house to clean...so of course I should do this first!  hahaha  Anyway, here are a few updates.  I've been horrible about taking pictures lately, but at least a few good stories will keep me going.

*  Claire has started taking piano lessons.  Landon has been taking now for several months, and is getting good at actually playing some very short songs.  He was really enjoying it until Claire took her first lesson and played a song WAY longer than any of his...her first day.  See where this is going?  He's still hanging in there, mostly because Mommy keeps telling him he has to learn the theory part whether he plays piano now or drums next year; which is his goal.

*  We have enjoyed hosting friends for dinner most weekends for the last month.  Unless family is here to visit (see next blog).  Re-acquainting ourselves has been a fun experience.

*  I am practically living at the kids school right now.  Between PTO and field trips, it's non-stop!  I really enjoy being around the children and helping out where I can.  This school is different from our other Bentonville school, with more working moms and only half the size.  My children like it a lot and seem to have adjusted easily.

*  Football is coming to a close with only 3 games left.  Landon has improved this year, and says he's ready for helmet and pads next year.  YIKES!  Landon has also improved at school...he is reading at the top of his class and is disappointed daily that they haven't started subtraction facts in his classroom yet!

*  Claire is dancing three days a week, and still loves every minute.  She has very little homework this year, which has made the dance schedule a lot easier.  She still has to read every day, and now practice piano, but she seems to get that all accomplished.

Day to Day

The Daniel family has just been busy and livin' life the last couple weeks.  Claire has been dancing and Landon has been playing football.  Claire got the lead part of "Alice" in one of her dances for this competition season.  She was very excited!  Landon scored 3, count them, 3 touchdowns at his last football game!  He is improving with every game and really enjoying being quarterback.  We are building an extra garage next to the house, which is being shingled as I type.  This is Geoff's project, but has allowed me to get some more landscaping in the backyard.  Mommy is now secretary of the kids' school PTO, not to mention room mom for Landon's class.  I am excited about this and not a bit overwhelmed (haha)!  All in all, we are "back in the groove" and everything is working out well so far!

My Little Man

Landon has become his own person since he started school last year.  It's fun to watch him venture out on his own; make new friends, talk to adults, and find his path in this world.  Two things made me stop to think about him specifically yesterday.

First, he was chosen as an Ambassador for Thomas Jefferson Elementary (his school).  Ambassadors are chosen by their teacher for displaying positive character traits and actively seeking to include other students.  As an Ambassador, Landon will help studenets new to his school by giving tours, a helping hand with rules and making them feel welcome and not left out.  Landon was tickled by the honor and said in response "I will do my best at this important job.  I want students to know coming to a new school doesn't have to be scary."  Love him!!!!!

Second, he wrote why his grandparents are special to him while in school.  Of all the things his grandparents share with him, watching TV was the first to come to mind.  Between Nascar and American Pickers, Landon must truly be enjoying his time with his grandparents!

"My grandparents are special because they watch TV with me.  and my Grandma takes me to her job she works at a hospital."  His spelling and handwriting has come a LONG way since the end of last year.  These are his least favorite things to do!

Da' Bears

Landon played in his first flag football game of the season Saturday morning.  His team is the Bears.  First play of the game, Landon received the football after a handoff and ran straight down the field for a touchdown!  It was very exciting!  Landon also played well at quarterback and running back, and some various defensive roles too.  Although the team played hard, the Bears lost their first game.  But they were not deterred and enjoyed themselves anyway!

After the game and some lunch, we went to a birthday party for a previous neighbor.  The kids got to catch up with their friend, bowl and play laser tag.  Sunday morning we attended church.  After a long Saturday, it took a lot of effort to get the kids moving, but they had a blast once they got there.

And although it's late...but better late than never....

HAPPY GRANDPARENT'S DAY!

We are so thankful to have the best grandparents (and great-grandparents) our children could ask for.  Not only do they love and spoil unconditionally, they teach wonderful things, create good times and nurture kindness in our children.  Lots of love to you all!

Landon waiting for them to announce the line up.  They have a loud speaker and announce all the players names as they run out toward their fields.  Pretty cool!  Sadly, this is the only picture I got that day.  More to come...