Tea for Two

A couple of Saturday mornings ago, I happened upon this scene in our bedroom:

Jess seemed a bit underdressed for the occasion, but perfection anyway.

All-Star!

We were so proud when we learned that Ben was selected to play in his baseball league's all-star game.  It was a special "exhibition" game held after the regular season, with two teams made up of players from each of the league's teams.  Bigger bonus:  Ben's team won the game!  He had some really good hits and an awesome play at second base to end an inning.  And, most importantly, he had a blast.  It was a rainy day, so I didn't get any good pics.  Thankfully, another dad sent us this one.

Halloween!

Halloween has become a weeks-long holiday, if you haven't noticed.  In early October we decked the house with spiders and scarecrows, a few weeks later we had a pumpkin carving block party, and then the week before we dressed up and headed to our church fall festival:

 Clone Trooper, Minnie Mouse (later turned butterfly), and Darth Vader await the festival fun.

 There was also our annual Halloween playgroup party.  This was our 8th year celebrating together!

 Then it was finally game time!

We think this was year #6 trick-or-treating with our friends Ava and Eli.  Love this tradition (which may or may not include wine for the grown-ups). 

 We stopped a few doors down to pick up pals Josiah and Evangeline, and the candy gathering commenced.  Eliza and Evangeline caught on quickly - look cute, open bag, get free candy.  Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Mid-way candy break.

Now, if only those Kit-Kats didn't call my name every night ... 

Happy Fall, Y'all!

Some gratuitous cuteness for your viewing pleasure ...



Class Camping Trip

A fall and spring tradition at the boys' school is the half-day class camping trip.  After the soapbox derby, Jess and the boys gathered their things and headed out to a nearby state park for an overnight adventure.  This is the fifth class camping trip we've they've been on, so we now have actual camping gear - tent, sleeping bags, headlamps.  Add some s'mores supplies, walkie-talkies, and good friends, and you have a little boy's dream.

 There are a number of older siblings from Noah's class who are also in Ben's class.  Jess said it was funny to see how the "older" kids grouped off for their own, more mature version of camping fun.  At one point, Jess opened our tent to find this:

Ben and his buddies hanging out, seeming much older than their 2nd-grade selves (or are we just holding on to him being a little boy?).  Later, after Ben had put on his PJs, this gang came back to the tent to see if he could come out for a while more.  He went out into the dark with his friends and talked until they were all ready to turn in, and Jess felt that distinct moment when you see your kids for who they are, not who they are in your mind.  He's growing up, there's no denying it, much as we'd like to sometimes.

Soapbox Derby 2012!

On the last Saturday in September, the "Rocky Ford Rockets" (formerly the "Double Dare Davises") competed in our neighborhood's 2nd Annual Soapbox Derby.  Last year our car was all about creativity.  This year, the boys had a real need for speed.  Daddy worked a month full of weekends and late into several nights to construct the Rocket, complete with "spoiler blaster."

 The race is set up in age categories.  Ben's group went first:

 Then it was Noah's turn to speed down the hill:

 This race has become one of our favorite events of the year.  At its core, it's a fundraiser for local charities, and the energy of everyone involved is all about fun, community, and doing good.  There were some amazing cars, like our friends' Leego Car made to look like Lego blocks - SO cool!  Check out lots of fun pics of other cars here.  In the end, we didn't win for speed, but (even sweeter for the boys) we took home the trophy for "Coolest Looking Car!"

And I had to eat my words about Jess picking paint colors that, to me, made it look like a McD's car.  Watch out, the Rocky Ford Rockets WILL be back next year!

Fall Sports

Every Sunday afternoon this fall, Jess and I have been splitting up to take the boys to baseball and soccer.  Jess helps coach Ben's baseball team, while I head to soccer with Noah.  To say that Ben is baseball obsessed would be an understatement.  Any opportunity there is for extra batting practice, player clinics, or just playing catch in the yard (even playing "pretend baseball" when he doesn't have a ball or bat), he's there.

 One of the highlights of Jess's week is taking Ben to dinner after practice on Thursday nights.  Just one-on-one time where they get to talk about school, sports, whatever.  Before practice the other night, Ben asked Jess if they were going to dinner afteward.  When Jess said yes, Ben replied, "Good!  I love just sitting and talking with you."  Doesn't get any better.

 

And while Ben's at the ballpark, Noah's ripping it up on the soccer field.

We've really stressed that we don't care if he scores any goals or if his team wins, we just want him to have fun and try his hardest.  This season he's really doing both those things - so proud of him!



Siblings

We've got lots to catch up on! There's been baseball and soccer and soapbox derby and camping trip (and lions, and tigers, and bears ... oh wait). But for now I just wanted to share these pics from September that make my heart crazy happy. Everyday moments of these kiddos genuinely enjoying each other's company. What strong friends they've become. Fights? You betcha. But lots and lots of laughter and love too. Important for me to remember when I feel like I've been nothing but a referee all day. There's a special connection among siblings, and it's so fun catching glimpses of it on camera.

 Everyone should run errands with 3 masked bandits and a roll of wrapping paper, no?

 Jess and I were asked to sit at another table.  I love that we weren't a welcome part of this kid convo.

 Yep.  That's the roof of the car.

 Doesn't everyone do art in the nude?

Or a butterfly costume?  The best part is that Ben and Noah are completely unfazed.

I mean.  Be still my heart.

School Days, School Days, Dear Old Golden Rule Days

Back to school.  For all THREE kiddos.  Second grade, Kindergarten, and two-day preschool.  Wonderful, fabulous, marvelous, and just the slightest bit heartbreaking.

 

Here they are on their first days of school:

 

 

And while we're talking back-to-school and those "Golden Rule Days," I wanted to share this letter, which is beautiful beyond measure and really captures so much of what Jess and I hope school is about for our kids.  Seems the song had it right all along.

Look Who's 2!

On Sunday we concluded the 2012 Davis Birthday Olympics.  (Somehow, all five of our birthdays fall between May 22 and August 12.)  It seemed appropriate that our closing ceremonies were in celebration of "the baby's" 2nd birthday.

After church and a too-short nap, Eliza figured, "It's my party and ...

But we headed outside to a gorgeous afternoon - the first promise of the reprieve of fall weather to come.

And it was all smiles from there.

Lots of goofy brother love.

Then Grandpa and Uncle Robert joined us for dinner out for Eliza's favorite meal:  mac & cheese, followed by presents and cake and ice cream.

 

I love that she takes a running leap in her excitement over this present.  A rainbow and pot of gold perhaps?  An adorable new puppy?

No, it's the pink pig Pillow Pet!  You gotta love being 2.

 

We were thrilled that we got to see Uncle Robert one more time before he heads out to San Francisco this week for an exciting new job.

Happy, happy birthday, sweet baby girl (yes, we will ALWAYS call you that)!