And this is what Jo does during the games....

Yes, those are 10 year olds with my little Jo teaching her how to roll down the hill!!! She had the best time & laughed so hard!  I was so intent on watching Anna & ran over with the camera as quick as I could to get a couple of pictures.  Everyone loves Jo - I never have to worry about her - someone is always with her!

They taught her to tuck her arms in her dress to roll faster.... instead, she got all wrapped up her in dress!

If you can't tell, she has a soccer headband..... she insists on wearing it only to the soccer games!

Anna's Soccer Team

Anna's 2nd grade team rocked the tournament!! They won all three games!!!  They were so excited to get their medal for 1st place!! 

I love action shots!  Anna is very aggressive & super fast.  She has great positioning on the field too.  We've signed her up for "skills training" this fall which we think will really help with her ball control.  They are now playing on the big field (8 on 8), so there is a lot more running!!!  They have so many girls for their team that they have 2 teams this year.  A few of the girls including Anna are double-rostered, but Anna told me tonight that she will be fine.  She won't be tired if she has back to back games - we'll see....

Hailey is one of Anna's best friends & probably our best player.  Anna & Hailey are waiting for the ref to start the game....

Her first medal!!! Way to go Anna!

Just the beginning for this team....

St. Michael's Soccer Tournament

We kicked off the soccer season at St. Michael's tournament before school started, and it was HOT!  Both teams did great, and it was a great way to get the girls back into soccer before the true season begins.  Pete coaches Rosie's team, and we had a few new recruits this year.  We've lost some girls to volleyball which is a bummer, but we hear that they were tired of all the running during soccer!  Oh well!  I would like Rosie to try volleyball in addition to soccer, but she seems focused on soccer during the fall.  She said "maybe next year."  She has enough going on with her school activities plus sports, so I'm not too upset about her decision!

Rosie's team only won 1 game out of 3 during the tournament, but they were pumped with their win!  Rosie had a couple of goals & played great.  She attended Incarnate Word's soccer camp with her cousin Caty in August & it paid off.  She really looked confident out on the field.

Watching the play & getting into correct position!  I did not take too many pictures during her games because Josephine insisted on kicking the ball with me.  I didn't mind - I love training Jo early on the game!

Maggie

Rosie & Anna had a great summer with their babysitter, Maggie Copeland.  We "shared" her with our good friends, Nate & Josh McReynolds.  Nate & Josh are like Rosie & Anna's brothers (exact same age - both actually a few weeks younger/older than Rosie & Anna). They have known each other since they were babies which is really cool.  They get along great, and I love that my daughters have some "brothers" to tease & goof around with.  Michelle (Nate's mom) told me that he likes hanging with Rosie because she's cool & laid back.  They are completely comfortable with each other.  In fact, Rosie played hairdresser one day & Nate & Josh actually enjoyed getting their hair done by Rosie.  When I came home from work, I laughed so hard at Josh's hair!! He loved it - it was so poofy & BIG! 

Thanks to Maggie for putting up with them - they did so many fun activities!  Swimming, movies, crafts, putt putt, and visited every place in St. Louis (Magic House, Arch, museums, Zoo, & more).  She was a lifesaver picking them up from swim practice every day - it made my life so much easier!!  Did we mention how often they went to Starbucks???  They were spoiled!!  So happy they loved their summer vacation.  Maggie even made sure they read & did some "homework" over the summer.  Thank you Maggie!

Their last day with Maggie with a trip to Ted Drewes for some yummy ice cream.  They hit Dotties' ice cream parlor at least once a week too for a mini serving of that awesome ice cream!  I love Josh's expression - he is a complete goofball and we love him!

Cute Girls!

Anna & Jo having fun jumping on the trampoline at a family party!  They are too cute!!

Swim Team Conference Finals

What an amazing day for Brentwood Swim Club!  We came in 2nd place, but Rosie & Anna had so MANY personal bests!  I'm not sure I can accurately describe how exciting the individual medley relay race final was!  Anna was the final leg and swam freestyle, and she was neck & neck with another girl & beat her by one second!!!  It gives me chills just thinking about it now.  She got out of the pool & said to me "that was hard."  I laughed & hugged her because for her to say it was hard really meant it was HARD. 

Anna with her best friends!

Rosie & Gabriella

Rosie swam in the toughest heat for both freestyle & butterfly!  She was the fastest freestyler from Brentwood & came in 6th overall!!  She beat some tough competition.

Anna coming up for air during breast stroke!

Rosie swimming the breast stroke.

What a great season - Pete & I are in shock at their improvement in 7 weeks!  They were solid swimmers, but they are even faster & better now.  It was fun for the whole family.  We are now working on getting Jo out of her water wings, and we are so close!

Pete's Birthday Breakfast Celebration

We met my parents for breakfast on Sunday at Hendel's in Florissant to celebrate Pete's birthday.  We love breakfast food - I personally love Eggs Benedict & it was good!  Thank you Mom & Dad for a wonderful time.  Happy Birthday Pete!

Grandma & Grandpa with their "favorite" grandkids!

No picture with Pete for his birthday breakfast - Anna was not cooperating & Pete got frustrated with her.  Oh well - cute one with my parents & me!