Almost Professional Soccer

We almost didn't make it to soccer today. Grace got up from her nap and declared that she was done with soccer. She said there was too much running. I agree. However, she was the one who wanted to play and I told her that we were not quitting before she even signed up. I am coaching and so she can't really quit anyway. Also, it's not like this is a high-stress commitment sucking up lots of time. We are talking 8 games over 4 weeks. Plus, once she is there she loves it! Most of the time. We are the purple Goldfish and we are pretty good...for a team of 3 year olds. I have 8 players. We are on the field for 45 min. 25 is for practice and 15 for games. I love coaching.This is our pre-practice huddle. We had one out today and two were running around somewhere. I was happy to have 5 in the huddle.

Snack time is the best time for my players. They prefer it to anything else. Capri Suns are now being used as bribery.

This is Grace and her friend Cameron. They both have pink soccer balls and they only come to practice b/c they think the other will be there. Whatever works.

Grace dribbles down the field as I cheer her on and tell her which goal is ours. It is so hard not to be biased. I want Grace to be the best and it upsets me when other kids hurt her. However, I know so well all of the wonderful life skills that playing athletics teaches, even at age 3, and I know these things are well more valuable than being the best on the team. But still, I am her mom first, and that's just how moms are!

This was a practice drill where they had to kick the balls in from the corners. I was surprised at how well they all did.

At the end of the game the kids hit hands and say "good game" and then run through the parent tunnel. They LOVE it!

Soccer Season in full Swing!

Our neighbors Elizabeth and Lauren play soccer at the YMCA. Grace decided that she wanted to play too-she had no idea what soccer was. For that matter I don't know much about it either- but guess who is coaching Grace's team, the Goldfish? That's right- Coach Tory or "Ms. Tory" or "teacher" or "Mommy." I am having a blast! I have 8 3-yr-olds and several willing fathers who help me keep my sanity. Grace is REALLY good- there is one slight problem, she could care less. She prefers to eat snacks and drink juice boxes while the game is going on. It's actually kind of funny as about half of my team feels that way. I have 2 boys who love to play, one little boy who just does his own thing most of the time, and then 5 little girls. I chose purple for our team jersey because that is Grace's favorite color and since I am the coach I guess my kid gets special privileges. As it should be. I love coaching and cannot wait until t-ball, volleyball, and basketball. My poor children. Got to have a pink soccer ball! Did you know that soccer balls come in different sizes? Me neither.

Most parents obsess about their children staying away from the oven- not us- we encourage our children to play in it!

Grace and Lauren are both on purple teams and the number 2! What are the odds of that?

Grace even put on her flip-flops to be JUST like Lauren- who is 6 years old.Evan and Isaac lounge as they enjoy their popsicles. Taken this afternoon.

Puddles

We had scattered showers all day today. Finally they cleared for good and the kids went out to play in the puddles (Isaac's second time that day). It was so cute to watch them fill up the can together. They couldn't have been happier. Just as they filled it, Isaac tipped it over, though. Grace almost had a meltdown, but daddy had just pulled in and convinced them to start again.

Easter! Praise the Lord!

What a fun Easter weekend we did have! Nana came to visit and help out on Wednesday since Daddy was at the Masters Golf Tourn. in Augusta for the week. (Poor Sid) We had gorgeous weather and spent lots of time outside. Grandma gave Grace and Isaac this choo choo for Christmas. It is great fun to drive around and take our tiny Easter bunnies and baskets for a drive.

Seriously, my kids love to take their shoes on and off. Part of the problem is that I never wear shoes but like for them to wear shoes when outside. Then I will walk out with no shoes and then off come theirs. I realize I am not setting a great example- but can't they do as I say...rather than as I do??

Isaac, at almost 17months is finally warming up to his Nana. Nana has been very patient.

Even though he is giving the baby a bottle, he is doing it in the tunnel so he can wrestle daddy if necessary. Boys!

We went to a fabulous Easter celebration hosted by a local church where some good friends of ours are neighbors. In this photo are sisters Macon and Addie, sisters Kennedy and Ryen and Grace and Isaac.

The little guys got to hunt first. Isaac always has time for the ladies.

And then it's back to business.

He started to pick up pace and I think he may have found more eggs than his big sister!

He didn't realize the eggs had candy in them until after the hunt. Good thing as he has a serious sweet tooth- like his mother!

And now it's time for the 3 and 4 yr olds. Grace and I bolted for the far end of the field thinking she could make a clean sweep.

Oh here's one!

And another....

And then she spent most of her time opening her eggs to check out if the candy was something she wanted. Whatever works!

Pierce and Grace compare baskets...Pierce won.

Me and the kids. For short hair- it is pretty big. I may need to change shampoos or something.

You would think we were harming our children to take their photo.

Nana and Grace after church on Easter Sunday.

Isaac and Grace stare in awe at their Easter Bunny Loot. Isaac got a lawnmower that blows bubbles.

The kids both got real kid-size gardening tools- shovels, rakes, pails, etc and they love them!

Grace got the Sleeping Beauty DVD and the Spinning paint table that we all had as children. The DVD was her favorite by far.

Family Portraits

While my dad and grandma were in town we had some family portraits taken.

Palm Sunday and Easter Party

I am a little behind in my blogging due to a black screen on my computer. Sid brought home an extra laptop from work so I am trying to get caught up.
Anywho- last Sunday the children went up on stage at church carrying their palm leaves and singing Josanna. It was adorable. As usual Grace was more fascinated with what was going on behind her. Her good friend RyRy is looking forward and at the camera. Right before she went on stage, Grace ran into a coat hook on the wall and earned a huge goose-egg on her head. She rallied though and I was very proud of her. She sometimes does not recover well from minor injuries.

After church Isaac plays in the newly laid mulch. We completely gave up trying to keep it neat. I think all of our neighbors benefited from his fascination with it.

On Monday of this week Grace and Isaac hosted their second annual egg hunt. All of the mom's from my Bible study came over with their rugrats. It was pretty stormy out so most of the party was indoors...we did pretty well keeping the peace. Though I can't necessarily say that about the mess.

Isaac and Pierce enjoy a cupcake-ice cream cone topped with raspberries and strawberries. I know- I am not sure what I was thinking on that one.

All of the kids painted egg cartons and decorated caterpillars. They loved the painting and putting on the stickers. The moms finished up the eyes and antennas to complete the look.

Finally there was a break in the weather. The Easter Bunny found time to put out about 150 eggs, we put rain boots on the kids and let 'em go! In this picture is Jonathan, Pierce, Mikayla, John Paul, Grace, and Marcel. There were a few more kiddos running around somewhere.

Grace and Jonathan took the hunt very seriously

Uh- so did Isaac.

Grace and Mikayla were disappointed when all of the eggs had been found. They decided to put out some more and then go and find them. It was extremely challenging.

Isaac finally catches on. Kind of.

But then he saw the mud pit behind the new fire pit in the back and he and Marcel had a grand time. And why not- all egg hunts should end with Biz and OxyClean.