Future World Cup Players

Last week the kids had their first soccer game. Somehow Pat and I got conned in to coaching our three as well as 6 other 3 and 4 year olds. Needless to say, there's not a whole lot of actual soccer playing going on, but the kids enjoy it. Especially snack time! Today went a little better and we actually played something that resembled a soccer game for a few minutes. Of course one of the little boys was crying because he wanted to be the one to kick the ball, Seamus cried because he wasn't on the same side of the field as his sisters, and Helena spent most of her time picking blades of grass and laying on her back in the middle of the field. Maybe next week I'll actually attempt to take some pictures of our team aka The Pumpkins.
We also started catechism last week. Aunt Christi is their teacher and the kids were excited to be able to go to school with Drew, who is also in their class. After church we met Uncle Tim, Aunt Robin, Conner, and Uncle Ed at the Renaissance Festival. It was super busy but we all had a good time. Especially me, since last Sunday was also my birthday. The kids made cupcakes for me during the week with Grandma and Grandpa and that's what we used to sing...

First Day of Pre-School

This last week we had a few "firsts" for the kids, and it all started on Saturday when we we decided to go on a trip with our Church to a Tigers game. There was a buffet lunch at the church before we boarded our charters to bring us all to the game. This was Katie, Seamus and Helena's first time on a bus. They absolutely loved it! They got to sit in seats like everybody else and had a ball looking down at all the cars. they were also amazed that there was an actual toilet on the bus, but Seamus was the only one who decided to use it. The bus trip was fun for them because they had Grandpa and Grandma Huddas, Uncle Steve, Uncle George and Aunt Kathy "Soup," Aunt Becca, Clay Drew and Aunt Carrie all with them on the trip. After the bus ride we got to Comerica Park to watch the kids' first baseball game live. We stopped at Guest Services and they got a First Game Certificate and a Tigers cape as a special gift. After watching a few innings we went on the carousel and got some snacks. We got back in time to see the Walk-off home run for a Tigers victory, and more importantly, save our trip from extra innings (three three year olds changes your priorities at sporting events). On Sunday we were excited to welcome back Aunt Kathy Murphy from NC to pack up her old house in MI, because finally was able to sell it. We then got to have her as a visitor until she left this morning. Speaking of this morning, this is our most important "first" in a long time. The trio had their first ever day of school! They now go to Pre-School two days a week. Mary and I took off the day to take them in and meet their teacher. The kids had a great time and didn't even cry when we left. They later told us about reading books and eating from their lunch box, it was all very new to them. The good news is they all said they want to go back to school again. Mary and I were not so easy-going about it, but we didn't shed tears either. We distracted ourselves by going out to lunch and enjoying a special beverage with it. So Katie Seamus and Helena have achieved yet another milestone, they seem to be growing up so fast...


On the Carousel at the Tigers Game


Back Pack Time


Katie in her back pack


Seamus in his back pack


Helena in her back pack


Helena, Seamus and Katie at school


Time to get to class!

New Beds

A couple of days after our family BBQ, Grandpa Huddas brought the kids their new big kid beds. He has been working on making them 3 awesome twin beds with storage drawers underneath for the last few months. It just so happened that it coincided with Aunt Kathy being in town and celebrating her birthday. The kids were able to help Grandpa put their beds together and give her their present on the same day! It was exciting!

Seamus holding his foot board


The girls handing Grandpa screws



Kathy opening the cards the kids made


The rest of the week quickly became a little nutty. Friday, Pat and I were able to go golfing with Kathy and Ed for her birthday. We hurried to get home afterward since she had a flight home the same afternoon. As it turned out, Hurricane Irene had other plans for her travels and she ended up having to stay a few extra days. Saturday we had another family BBQ, this time at Pat's parents house. We got to spend more time with everyone and even got a chance to help Kathy visit her old house in Howell on Sunday before she left. Hopefully, it'll sell soon!! We came home the other night to find a frog peeking in our front window. Weird...


Pat and I were back to work this week so the "fun" is beginning again. We did get a chance to go to the zoo yesterday evening and check out the new lion exhibit. The Verve Pipe were also playing a concert for the final "Wild Summer Night" of the year. It was pretty cool even if they didn't play the only song everyone knows by them "Freshman", or at least while we were there. I think we finally have everything ready for the kids to start preschool. Backpacks, lunch boxes, clothes that fit, thermoses, check! I'm sure pictures of them all ready to go will be coming soon.