Our September

By September, most of us were adjusted to the school routine.

Official greeter upon my return from the bus stop

Rey likes to hide under Cole's bed at night when she knows bedtime in approaching. 

If it was a Tuesday afternoon or Friday night/Saturday morning in September, you could find us cheering on Caden and his teammates at a cross country meet. Labor Day weekend started in East Peoria for the first invitational (which means there are LOTS of teams competing) and Caden's second meet of the season. Same weekend, same park, same event of Cole's broken arm a year ago...So HAPPY no hospital trips were required this year! Cole avoided the monkey bars just to be safe.   

Caden is in the middle, #703. 

Finishing time of 14:35.1

After Caden's meet, we ate at Culver's in Bloomington with Nana and Papa, and then drove to Rankin. The boys rode some rides at Hoopeston's Sweetcorn Festival that afternoon, and Curt and I attended my 20th high school reunion that night. It was fun to catch up with old friends.   

Cole convinced Shannon to go on this ride with him. 

On Sunday, we played outside and took a walk down memory lane with all the mementos in the basement.

Cole seeing if he could break another limb by falling out of a tree...Thankfully, he did not!

Friendly games of ladders

On Monday, we were back in Springfield, so we attended the Labor Day festivities at Island Bay Yacht Club. 

Our newest fish enjoying the pool for one last time this summer

Caden did not have any luck fishing

Traditional silly string fight on the hill

Cole and Liam

Another Tuesday in September, another cross country meet...This one was at Chatham Community Park, so we did not have to travel far. Usually, we have soccer on Tuesdays after cross country, but this day was WAY TOO HOT so we skipped soccer. All of us were done with the heat after Caden ran, most especially Caden.  

I'm always thankful when there is a playground near the cross country course.

Photo of Caden courtesy of another mom who brings a real camera to the meets, finish time of 15:36--The extreme heat took its toll on the runners. 

Sleepy Rey

Soccer night...Cole was on the blue team. His coach was excellent with the kids.

Kieran was on the red team. He had been on a team with his coach and the coach's son before, so Kieran enjoyed being together again.

Lunch with my kindergartener

If I actually sit down during the day, I have instant company.

Rey

Jovie

Cross country invitational at Parkside in Normal

Caden is on the right side of this photo, #254

Caden is on the right side. It is hard for me to get good photos because I'm looking for Caden in a crowd of runners and everyone looks the same. Sometimes, he sneaks up on me. Plus, I'm cheering for him and his friends at the same time. Any running photos in this blog that are super clear are courtesy of another mom who brings a real camera to the meets and shares photos. Thankful for her! 

Finish time of 14:31.3

It was an extremely muddy run!

Even more photos of my girls...I cannot resist!

Rey attempting to stowaway in Cole's overnight bag

Jovie making it impossible for me to get out of bed

Enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon on the swings with Kieran

Rey and Jovie were Kieran's shadows for several weeks after school started. I think they were waiting to go back to "summer normal" with the boys at home.

You came home without the boys AGAIN!

Rey was not happy that no one sat and watched tv after breakfast. She was pretty used to that routine. 

Cross country meet at Lincoln Park in Springfield--humid and hilly

Boys' starting pack

Finish time 14:36

Another soccer night...This time, I made the point of getting closer individual photos of the boys.

Franklin Invite is out in the middle of nowhere at Franklin Outing Club. It was another tough and muddy run. We're always proud of our runner.

This is one of the mud holes that the runners had to run through or around. Caden chose to go around--smart choice! One of his friends lost a shoe in a mud hole and had to run with one shoe. 

Finish time of 14:49

After Caden's XC meet, we hurried home to get Kieran to a birthday party for a new kindergarten friend. The party was at the newly opened Skyzone. Kieran was super excited to be the first in our family to visit this Skyzone. 

Mt. Zion XC Meet...We didn't compete in Mt. Zion last year, so this was a new experience. We knew what to expect with the other meets. Just like most of the other meets, it was sunny and humid. With this course, runners looped past us more than once. It was nice to cheer for Caden at different parts of his run without having to run all over the course myself. Plus, there was a playground, so everyone was happy.  

Finish time of 14:30

Kieran celebrate Kody's birthday with a fun Nerf party at Goals.

Content Jovie with a vegging mom

Final XC meet was in Normal at Fairview Park near ISU

Finish time of 14:14.1...Great run to end the season!

Two of these boys are happy cross country season is over. One is not so much. I side with Caden. It's such a fun season. I hate to see it end! Caden made the best of this season. He badly broke his toe three days before pre-seasoning training, attended every single practice for four weeks even though he could not run, and worked hard when he was released to run. So proud of Caden! Already looking forward to next season.