Fall Soccer "Kicks" Off

Both kids are playing fall soccer this year. Josh is playing for a boys only U-10 league (under 10). He is playing for the hunter green team. They've dubbed themselves the Vipers. His coach is Scott Robertson and he is awesome with the kids. In U-10 the players actually start learning to play the positions. Josh really likes that.

Josh's team is participating in a pre-season tournament this weekend. We started with a game versus the red team tonight. Josh played both right and left defense as well as right and left offense. He did well in all positions, but especially did well at the defensive positions. In U-10 they officially keep score. His team won their game tonight 2-0. They will play again tomorrow and Sunday.

Abby's coach has called, but the U-8 league doesn't begin play until 9/12. I expect that she will begin practice next week. She can't wait. I hope she has a great time. Especially since this is the first time she has really shown interest, rather insistence, that she participate in an organized activity. Stay tuned for more information on the seasons as they continue.

School days!

School started in our county on Wednesday (happy birthday Mommy - you don't have to pay for full time daycare anymore!). The kids were both excited about their teachers and both were pleased with the friends that were also in their classes.

Abby is now in first grade and her teacher is Mrs. Albertson. She's a younger teacher and seems very organized. I've heard that she runs a tight classroom. But she seems to be very creative. I think that Abby will really love her. Abby was so excited when I picked her up after her first day. She couldn't wait to tell me that her teacher sent homework home for me not her. I had to fill out all the beginning of the year paperwork. Abby was more excited today when get got to bring home her hardback reader for the first time. No more paper books. HOORAY!

Josh is in third grade now. His teacher is Mrs. Debalski. He was really hoping that he got her because she is super nice. Ron and I were also hoping he got her because she has experience working with Josh and seems to know how to keep him focused on his work and how to redirect him when he starts to wonder off course. He was excited when I picked him up on the first day because they had done a science lab in class where they were putting bugs in tubes with magnifying tops so they could study their body structures. He was excited today to tell me that because he is now in third grade he got to have 2 hot dogs instead of 1 at lunch. Ahhh...the simple pleasures of life are the best!

Here's hoping that the enthusiasm that they have now lasts for awhile!

A package from China

We made lifelong friends when we hosted our group from China in April. Since our group stayed for 2 weeks and we had a lot of evening activities planned, the whole family was involved. Joshua was adopted by Mr. Deng (he asked to be his Ganba - godfather) and Abby was adopted by our facilitator/translator Sufei (she asked to be her Ganma - godmother). Sufei has stayed in touch and I have heard from several of our guests since they've returned home. Sufei and her son just returned from their summer visit to China. Last Saturday we received a package.

The kids were so excited when they opened the box and discovered that Sufei had sent traditional chinese clothes for them. Abby had to wear her new dress to church on Sunday. And Josh was excited about his new clothes, too. It was a wonderful experience for our family while they were here and it continues to be a wonderful experience even now.

Cat Eyes

Ever since Josh got glasses last fall, Abby has insisted that she also needed them. I've always put her off by offering some reason why we should wait to get her eyes examined. But when the kids went with us a few weeks ago to pick up Ron's new glasses, her determination could not be pushed off any longer. When her friend Kendra got her new glasses, that was the last straw. So I called and made the appointment.

Abby was so excited on Friday morning when we pilled in the car to go to the eye doctor's office. She was sure that she'd come home with a new pair of glasses all her own. Thank goodness she is too young to understand how to sand bag the test - she came through with flying colors. And a few chuckles for the doctor. When he put the thing in front of her face to test her vision (Rx) Abby immediately stuck her finger into the hole that he'd covered with the black plastic to see why she could not see. After he finished laughing and cleaning the lense, they started again - this time with instructions for her not to put her finger in the hole.

When it was all said and done, not only does Abby see as well as any other six year old, but actually better with 20/15 vision in both eyes. I guess she really does have the eyes of the cat - she's always said that she does.

Wild West Adventures

It's been along time since I last posted a blog. I am sorry...the month of July has been a blurr. A busy yet wonderful month filled with lots of travels and activities. It is hard for me to believe that July has come and gone. I'll try to catch you up on the life and times of the West Virginia Weists in this blog.


You've already read about our camping adventure to Deep Creek Lake and about the newest member of our family - our puppy Maddie. On July 13 we headed to Pittsburgh for an overnight stay. We were up long before the sun on the 14th - checking out of our hotel and on an airport shuttle by 4am. By 5:30am we were on a plane headed to Atlanta, Georgia. And then on another airplane headed to SeaTac. Although it was hard to get up so early, it certainly was nice to arrive in Seattle before lunchtime! Our visit to Washington State was too short - we were only there for a week - but it was filled with fun times with family. Beside the typical activities such as back yard baseball and our trip to Burfoot and the Puget Sound to search for baby crabs, we also spent time visiting with family. Once again we headed down to Great Wolf Lodge. In additional to Grandmeister and Grandma Julie, we were also joined by Chris, Alyson and baby Layla. Uncle Grant and Aunt Callie also stopped by - Grant, Chris and Grandmeister went with Josh on his first few run on the Howling Tornado. Abby wasn't quite tall enough to ride the Tornado but she was tall enough for all the rest and she rode them all many times. The kids had a great time in the water park and also playing Magi. I am happy to report that both Josh and Abby achieve the rank of Master Magi during our trip. Next year I guess they'll have to spend their time slaying the dragon and on other such adventures.

While in Washington, we also got to visit with Jim, Beth and their girls: Elli, Hannah and Lilly. The kids love playing with their cousins. We also took a trip north of Seattle to visit with Thomas, Cathrina, Landon and Parker. (Josh especially likes spending time with Landon since he is the only other boy!) Grandpa Tom and Grandma Nancy joined in the fun there. Our trip home was uneventful. Once again we had a layover in Atlanta. It was good to be home after 13 1/2 hours of traveling.

We the last few weeks have been busy in a different way. The kids are back at day care. Ron and I are hard at work. We've been spending much of our time at home on our basement remodel. By this time next weekend we may have paint on the walls. The carpet should also be in by then. The kids can't wait - they'll have a fun space all their own when it's complete. (and I'll have reclaimed my upstairs as a toy free zone - or at least that is what I tell myself!)

I'll try to get back in the swing of things and post blogs more frequently. Before I know it, I'll be writing a blog about the kids' first day of school. Time sure does fly!