Big Sky Days

sunday soccer

The thunder and lightning storm didn't stop the Sunday Soccer.  The storm rolled in and out fast enough to still allow for a game.  So, the "Grey Snakes" took to the field and they were able keep their undefeated record.  

This year soccer went up a notch.  Henry joined a more competitive team with actual plays and organized practices and coaching.  I wasn't sure I was ready for this type of play.   It is awfully fun and funny to watch kids kick balls into their own goal or practice their gymnastics during a game. Loved that era.  But we somehow felt the need to move on.   And, although it seemed Henry was a bit uneasy about this jump to a more aggressive game at first, I think he really was ready.  At age 8, he is more agile, coordinated, and strong than last year and the game and teamwork of soccer really is coming together. 

I have to admit.  The competitive game really is fun to watch.

And everyone gets into it.

Right now, I am hoping for many more Sunday Soccer games to come. 

There's my soccer dude.  

Love the socks stretched above the knee, I know that will not last forever. 

8 is great!

We have a newly minted 8-year-old around here!  

Wow.  I wonder if I will ever stop saying "wow."  These past eight years have zoomed on by. To celebrate this incredible occasion, we had a birthday party (pretty much) completely designed by the birthday boy himself.  Boys came over and we played capture the flag, nerf-gun archery, ate tacos, and had rootbeer floats.  No birthday cake!  He has never liked cake and I have finally relented and the past 2 years I haven't even made a cake, sad as it seems (to me!)  We now have a Birthday Ring to make that requisite birthday wish!  

I wrote him a big, sappy birthday card telling him how much he is loved and adored.  And just how special he is to us.  Although it was sappy, it was all completely true.  I also wrote that there are moments lately when I look at him playing and I can see the little boy he once was and the young man he will soon be.  

Happy Birthday, Henry!  8 is great!

 

squeezing the most out of summer

The last few days have felt lucky.   The sun is warm and bright and summer is still in swing.  It seems a lot of people have started back at school - so these extra days feel like an extra gift.  

Our tomatoes are finally happening.  Just a few will make it this year but the ones that do are heavenly.  This is the time of year to eat tomatoes with and on everything.  A full day tomato diet is most likely in order.  It is good to stock up and saturate the taste buds, so that when I fall for those shiny, red ones in the market in January I will have some memory of what a tomato actually tastes like. 

Oh, and we made cookies.  

We have been trying to be outdoors most of the time but some inside-ness is bound to happen.  That is when you pull out the extra blank game board from months past.  This time the theme was mining gems...ah, mes petite montanans.  

Now back outside.  I really do love summer.

we started out

We started out this week with a warm, sunny day after another 4-inch Spring snowfall a few days before.  Now the snow on the ground is melted and our day was bright and long and full.  It felt very springy.  Finally.  

The cousin boys woke up and started immediately on making their own board game.  These boys love monopoly and so this new creation was monopoly-based but with their own slant.   It is called Explorer and there is a strong nature and money theme.   Intriguing combo, huh?  This blank board game is from Bare Books, one of my favorite places to shop on-line.  

Although the weather is warmer, the chickens must remain inside since the nights are still cool.  To make up for this, in some small way, we treated them to cottage cheese and scratch grains.  Not everyone was bold enough to try it but those that did kept coming back for more.  I guess there is a pecking order.

With the last of the day's light, some played a quick round of catch and I snuck off to make some supper. 

Dinner was served.  Enchiladas.  

Enchiladas are great because new, healthy ingredients can be mixed with ingredients that are well known and loved.  My daughter's diet is still quite narrow but my son is welcoming food of many different kinds these days.  This is his second stab at enchiladas and he gobbled them right up.  

Enchiladas

1-2 tbsp of olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 small squash (we used starburst), chopped

1 15 oz. can black beans

1 15 0z. can corn

1/2 uncooked quinoa

1 cup shredded cheese (we used mozzarella because that was what we had on hand.)

1 15 oz. can Hatch green chile enchilada sauce (any kind will substitute)

6 whole wheat flour tortillas

Green onion chopped for the top

Preheat oven 350 degrees. Heat the olive oil over medium heat.  Saute the onions and squash until soft, about 5-8 minutes.  Make the quinoa in separate pot.  (Mix 1/2 cup quinoa with 1 cup water and boil for 10 minutes, add water if too dry.  Once boiled, turn off and cover.  Rest for 5 minutes.  Fluff with fork.)  Drain the corn and black beans and rinse.  Mix the onions, squash, quinoa, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese in bowl.  (Save some cheese for the top.)  Fill the tortillas with the mixture and roll up, then line up the filled tortillas in a prepared 9x9 baking dish.  Pour the can of enchilada sauce on top, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 30 minutes.  Let rest for 5-10 minutes and serve with chopped green onion and hot sauce!

Mucho Bueno!











 

games, games, games

In and out, warm and cold...that is the kind of winter we have had.  We have tried to be out as much as possible and enjoy the snow but when it all melts and the mud slops around your boots - it may be time to come on in.  

Board games are big around here these days.  My son is usually the instigator of all games and we usually have to talk him out of Monopoly (his favorite!) to play something else.  Something less long, something less competitive (he has shed many a tear over a monopoly loss or pending loss!)

Chess!

I wish I could say that I love to play chess, ah, but not so much.  But I do love when other people play, especially kids!  It seems like such a great game to work the mind.  Let's just count that as loving chess.  (Should such chess lover get a new board that actually lays flat?  Perhaps...) 

We awoke this morning to a new dusting of fresh snow and that means more outside play.  But it might also mean more games inside, around the fire, lying on the couch...probably a bit of both.