Boy Bands, Soccer Girl, and Fall Break

 Several weeks ago, we all participated in the Ward Talent Show.  Kate currently wants to be a singer/actress and wanted to sing instead of play piano.  She gathered a few of her friends and I played for them to "A Million Dreams".  I wish I had photos!

Brady's garage band reunited with Karl as lead singer and performed some classics -- Pretty Woman, Accidentally in Love, Smooth, Johnny B. Goode, What I Like About You.

Karen played piano with Mahjinka Stebbins on the violin a medley of songs from "Greatest Showman".

Owen gets a new do from Aunty Heidi.

 Not to be outdone by Owen's cute new do, Kate convinced Brady to let her get earrings.  I've been on Kate's side for a solid 6 months, and it was only a matter of time before we wore him down.  She said the pain was "no big deal."

 Just in time for school pictures!

 Owen and I bike to the park and beach several times a week.  He claims when we leave the house that he does not want to swim and so far, 100% of the time, he ends up swimming in his clothes.  I will learn to pack him a suit at some point.

 The same weekend of the boys' Mud Run, Kate played a game in the dumping rain.  The coaches asked if they wanted to call the game early, but the girls were jumping up and down, loving the giant raindrops.

 Little Miss Long Locks.

 Kate was chosen for September's Student of the Month for being responsible.  So proud of this girl and her persistence.  She is learning that she is capable of doing hard things, and she is most definitely a responsible kid.  Her teacher thought I must have told her because Kate insisted that morning on dressing up and doing a special hairstyle, but Kate was completely surprised.

 Luncheon with her new friend, Summer.

 While Karen and Zac were off island, Kate, Owen, and I stopped at the local landscape nursery to grab a couple plants for the yard.  The girl that helped us was so happy to learn how much Kate loved flowers.  She took us to some secret parts of the nursery to show us some beautiful flowers.  Kate ate it up.

The day after Disneyland, Zachary left on a three day field trip to Kokee with his class.  Brady joined as a chaperone and we have since vowed to always chaperone these activities.  It was such a rewarding experience to be with his class and watch Zac interact with his peers.  Highlights included burying each other in grass, staying up late to tell stories with Uncle Billy, hiking the meadows, playing chess, and learning about nature.

Kate can't wait until it is her turn for the overnight field trips, and in the meantime, she makes herself happy dressing up her brother.

While Zac dodges the camera at every turn, Owen constantly asks me to "Take a piture, Mommy!"

 Kate could not wait for Halloween decor and we "finally" pulled it out on September 30th.

 I've been enjoying my Monday and Wednesday morning freedom, paddling out with Hilary any time there are waves.

 Fall Break!  It came and went so fast, and we spent every day at the beach for hours, then with friends over the remainder of the afternoon.  We had gorgeous weather, fun waves, and willing friends to meet up.

 Brady's high school friend Susan and her husband Nathan came to visit for about a week.  We took them to Polihale one afternoon/evening of fall break.

The kids loved jumping off the dunes.

 Owen and I stayed out of the water--it was rough conditions for O and I was nursing the fingertip I nearly chopped off a few days before.  It was a lovely little Halloween treat dealing with all the blood.

 The next morning, we did not miss a beat and were back at Sheratons, ramping and playing with friends.

 Friday night, we caught a perfect sunset at the harbor with friends and dogs.  Kate has begged for a dog since, explaining that she is sometimes scared of dogs, but this one was so mellow.  I then explained to her that the dog she loved was almost 11 years old and therefore too old to be anything but mellow.

She also told me she wants to start babysitting.  Ha!

 After soccer Saturday, Brady sent me out to surf First Break with Hilary, Nic, and Robert.  It was the most perfect surf session I've had in at least a year, and the pictures of him napping with Owen helped nurse my guilt.

 Kate surfed Sheratons!  She still needs a bribe to surf over reef but she is progressing!

We also got in on Baby Paige's first trip to the beach.

I do not capture enough of these bubble bath moments.  

 Owen asks to fly, and especially loves it when I give him "tickle turbulence" with my toes.

 It is October, so of course that means soccer.  Kate has been lighting it up--scoring goals in all but one game.  This last game was the toughest we played and she was the star on the field, chasing down would-be goals and driving it up the field again and again.  She has excellent field awareness and is getting her passing game down.  She loves this picture because "I look really fierce."  She is fierce.

 Her tongue is my favorite.

 This kick went straight in the goal.

 Owen is so good at entertaining himself during games and practices.  Coach Lindsay also has a toddler and the two of them fight like crazy.  It's hysterical.  They are the Purple Pixie mascots.

 We are undefeated with two games left this season.

Zachary is playing basketball and has one game left before regular season starts.  He is learning the game and wishing he could play soccer every Saturday like Kate.  He comes with us to most practices, meeting up with his school friends who play soccer on another field.  He then comes home red faced and ready to play basketball with Brady for a few minutes before it gets dark.  The best part of fall is holidays around the corner.  The worst part is a tie between the hot temperatures and the early sunsets at 6:15pm!

Next up, Halloween!  Holidays!