Days with the Dorans

So after a season off I was actually very excited that Joe wanted to get back into soccer.  I felt it was his best sport and the last season he played he was really starting to understand and enjoy the game.  I wondered if he quit because the last season he played was so horrible (weather-wise).  Whatever the reason I know he's glad he's back and so am I! Joe is now playing in a travel rec league which is good because it's not the crazy commitment of travel but he still gets to go play against other programs.  He's learning more about the game including off-sides and is so much better at playing positions.  Like Z, he prefers defense.  Ali is our offense girl! I don't get to see as many of Joe's games because Jeff is helping coach now so I mostly take Al or Z.  I'm happy Jeff is coaching as his dad was an amazing soccer coach in Saginaw and I know he'd be excited to know his son is now coaching too.  I believe he actually coached a t...

Maddy actually got cut out of this picture, though had she been in this picture, you wouldn't have seen her anyway... so shy! So after being Season Ticket Holders for what feels like forever, Jeff and I made the decision not to get tickets next year.  With the kids' schedules the way they were, we just didn't make it to as many games as we should... And so last Friday I walked the red carpet for the last time (sob) with Al because Jeff had practice (see... we're waaaay too busy!  Couldn't even have that last date!).  It was going to be a 'GNO' for Al and I but of course my dad and brother were going too since they have the other two tickets.  Once we got to Danny's house to get him though, Maddy wanted to come!!  The more the merrier!  The girls were so happy and it allowed my brother, dad and I to talk a little (unedited) shop (teacher talk). When we got to the game, we split a bit.  Danny tore his achilles (OUCH) and so has this little s...

My attempt of getting out of buying a team photo was to snap one behind the photographer.  The little guy front left wasn't happy but I couldn't go any further down or I would have had the photographer's head!  So we are officially in the midst of soccer season (which is probably why I haven't blogged so much).  Both Al's and Joe's teams travel.  Jeff is always with Joe (he's helping coach) and I'm usually with Ali (since it's far) so my folks often help with Z.  I have been able to make it to three of his games (out of four total, I think) which isn't too bad! Z is such a fun player to watch.  He literally has his head IN the game at all times (which if you knew Z is pretty darn amazing since his head seems to be all over the place most other times).  He is a little scrapper and he's FAST.  I have found that he tends to drop back into defense even  if he's on offense.  I was talking with Jeff and I think Z would rather STOP so...

So Sean is a lover.  He rarely stays in his own bed... This was in our bed! He also now has a love of selfies... Pair the lover in him and his love of selfies together, and you get this... In case you don't believe me that HE is the driving force behind the selfies, you'll have to see for yourself!  Click HERE to see him in action.  Pretty funny stuff!  Definitely a perfect Sean Byte to make you smile!

 Joe was excited to have another sleepover for his birthday.  Last year he had two of his closest friends stay the night and this year he added two more.  In total he had three friends from school and one from our church.  They all got along great and our house was REALLY loud for quite a while.  I was actually glad when they sat to watch a cartoon while waiting for dinner (Joe's pizza choice again).  It went back to a tolerable level. Joe got great gifts from his friends (the boy loves his legos) and I got a little lego set for all of the boys to build later and take home.  They were busy building and talking and laughing and having a great time! It was fun to see Joe with his friends and this kind of party is my kind of party.  We didn't have anything planned and the boys just did what they wanted which included legos, cartoons, running around and screaming (or at least that's what I think it was), an 'epic' pillow fight, video games...

I still can't believe that my baby is 11 (and he's been 11 for a while now since I am really late in updating this blog)!  Joe's birthday fell on a Monday this year which I liked because I was able to take my day for doctor appointments and spend time at Andrew's garden and then focus on my Joe at night.  He opted to have two celebrations with family.  We did one with Nana, Papa, Grandma, the Drapals, Auntie Jodi, Uncle Jim & Mary on the 14th.  I couldn't find my candles- so poor Joe had to have an 8 + 3 more (see I can do math...). Speaking of math, Mary had math homework (she's in college now!?!?!) and I laughed watching the three teachers help her with her problems (Jodi and I watched from afar~ we teach the littles).  We joked that we'd have to see her next weekend too.  Joe had a great time and we enjoyed pizza, wings and breadsticks (his choice) and great company.  He got lots of great presents but at his request, he didn't get anythi...

And just like that, summer was officially over and we were back to school!  We had such a wonderful relaxing summer.  I treasured all the early days at the lake with kids swimming while I lived in my books.  There were honestly so many moments where I felt the world couldn't get any better! But all good things must come to an end and here we are starting another school year.  Joe is in his LAST year of elementary school (how did THAT happen), Al in 4th, Z in 2nd and Sean... Pre-K!  Although we would have held him anyway, I am so happy that our state FINALLY moved back the start date to September 1st. This year's start date was October 1st (our state is dumb and it's been moving back just a month each year).  So technically I followed the rules this time (though I would have held him had it been later had our state not wised up...). Red-shirted kids are the best! Because I am so late updating this blog, I can report that school is GREAT!  ...

So this was the year of the Ice Bucket Challenge!  I started to see these great posts showing up on my Facebook of people dumping ice-cold water on each other's heads.  I have to say that it got my attention and in addition to that, people were talking about ALS~ something I remember asking my parents about when my friend's dad passed away from it when we were twelve.  I remember thinking about how horrible it was, but to be honest it wasn't something on my radar.  Seeing these posts made me think about that though and so many others who are suffering from this horrible disease.  When we were nominated, I was happy that it gave us the opportunity to talk about charity and ALS with our children and we also made a donation to ALS.  Of course it was fun but we also gave 20 bucks from each of us who took the challenge (Sean opted to pass and just dump).  Health is something that we should never take for granted but as our (healthy) lives go on, ...