TED talk- 7 ways games reward the brain

This video has some interesting ideas and concepts.
Undeniably gaming is here to stay and a MASSIVE part of youth culture.
I think we are going to have to work out a way to coexist with it in a balanced, life giving way.

Sunny days in Fall

This is a lovely spot close to us where there are lovely trees and a nice playground.

We spent Sunday afternoon fooling around on the equipment and playing hide and seek.

We are trying to make the most of every sunny day!

Halloween

This year we celebrated Halloween around the campus on Friday night.
Staff offer to situate themselves in different places on campus, we get a map and the kids wander around and rake in the candy.

This year we set up a spooky tunnel with mats that the kids had to come through to get the treats... some made it and some did not... it was perhaps a bit dark and long- but it was fun.

Molly found another little Bella during the night.

We made some marshmallow ghosties.

Jack went as a ninja and Molly as Princess Bella.
Jack found Moses and a Knight along the way!

Molly and I stole a few lovely, cuddly moments together.

...and then Molly made me laugh with these glasses!

Molly Reading

Molly is so excited to have some readers of her own.
She couldn't wait to share this one with her Daddy.

Jack's soccer Jamboree October 16th

Jack has been anxiously, nervously, excitedly looking forward to this weekend for quite some time.
As a 3rd Grader he gets to play soccer in a real competition.
His team the "wild beasts" is a mix of 3rd, 4th and 5th graders- girls and boys.
His team has been pretty successful playing against other TCIS teams over the past few weeks.
Yesterday Jack played 4 x 25minute games. He played right wing for 3 games and then goal keeper for the last game.
Despite playing awesome offense throughout the first 3 games, his team could not take a trick and could not score.

 This blue team (above) they played first. They had 2 good players only- a striker who scored 3 goals individually and a goal keeper who stopped about 20 quality shots on goal- MAN!
Such is this crazy game of soccer and unfortunately sometimes a small mistake lets the other team score... these are some of the lessons we learned about soccer yesterday. (When I say we... I mean lessons Jack learned). This kid in blue below... was AWESOME and it was great to watch him.

Thankfully the last game they played they had a great game (and less of a stellar goalkeeper on the other team) and they scored 3 times.

Jack made a great assist with a long clearing kick as goal keeper to the striker who slotted it- a set play he tells me they had been panning for ages. The hug says it all! This was a really nice moment for Jacko.

We all know winning isn't everything... and Jack learned about humility and sportsmanship yesterday (but Gee it was still nice to win one :).
Jack learned a bunch and really improved his skills. He impressed many coaches with the quality of his play and sportsmanship at all times.
We are very proud of him... and couldn't bear to wake him this morning when he slept until after 10am! Way to go "Wild Beasts".

Jack's soccer

Today I had the time to watch Jack's soccer training. His team the "Giant Beasts" got their team shirts today in preparation for their up coming Jamboree.
His team and 3 other TCIS teams will travel to our sister school GSIS on October 16th. They will travel for about 2 hours and then play 3 games. It is the first competitive sport that Jack has really played. He is super excited to have the opportunity to play in a Jamboree.
Today his team scored 4 goals against the "sharks". Jack played really well with one pass resulting in a goal and he scoring a goal himself after evading a defender and curling the ball past the goal keeper.
Jack loves his team and they all play really well together with passing and lots of encouragement towards each other.
What a joy to watch him play and spend the afternoon in the sunshine.

Nice throw-in Jacko!

Jack beats 2 defenders to the ball.

He traps the ball...

he turns and passes...

and then scores on his left foot. NICE!

Enjoy the moment Jacko.

Molly's soccer

Molly has started doing some soccer practice on Saturday mornings. While she is quite keen on the idea of soccer... secretly I think its all about the outfit for her (hehehe)
 She is certainly enjoying herself!