Suprising Month of June

It is almost embarrassing that I have not blogged for a month! As usual, we have been on the go; I have just been a little under the weather and all of my energy has gone to my kids and hubby. Photography and blogging have had to sit on the sidelines. The big news is that we are expecting a new little blessing in January. January 27th is my due date. This is by far the biggest surprise Sid and I have ever received and as we all know- God's surprises are always more amazing than anything we could have ever wished for on our own. We had not planned on growing our family any further at this time, mostly b/c we did not want to have to do infertility drugs as we had to do with Grace and Isaac. Of course, I "assumed" I was unable to have children naturally, so the day that my 3-year-old said, "Mommy, your belly is sticking out." I began to wonder. And that afternoon I got the shock of my life with two pink lines. We are now a little more adjusted to the change coming our way and so very excited. We are definitely going to find out the sex of the baby, but of course are just praying for healthy. We are so finely aware of the two healthy blessings we already have and want to continue the trend. Anyway, I have not been feeling that great, which is a big change from the first two pregnancies. That is why there has been no photographs and no blogging. I am really just trying to be a good mom in the heat to a 3-year-old and 19-mos-old who literally never stop moving. But no complaints- I know I am so blessed to be home raising my kids and cannot imagine having to miss a thing. I was already starting to be sad b/c Isaac's baby days are long gone and Grace's are only a memory. Now I get one more time to drink it all in.

This year the theme at Vacation Bible School was a 3-Ring-Circus (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). We had a professional face painter who turned Grace into this gorgeous tiger!

On Father's Day we let daddy go for a long bike ride- made him a big breakfast and then time to open his gifts. We are late risers and love to hang out in our pj's until the very last minute!

Fun in May!

Grace and Isaac wrapped up their pre-school year with a big school picnic at a local park. The kids had a blast running around like crazy people and then of course having a picnic together was better than ice cream. As usual, Isaac is the only boy- but he seems to love it. :-) Tradition goes that Ms. Elaine, Grace's teacher, gives each child from her class a ride around the parking lot in her convertible. Surprisingly, Grace got to go first.

We are loving our bike trailer. We literally go everywhere. The kids prefer it to any other form of transportation. Isaac, however, still needs a little help with his helmet.

After an afternoon at the pool, Grace is wiped out and Isaac wants to play peek-a-boo.

The old Barbie Jeep finally died. In true Mitchener fashion we had to replace it with the Jeep Hurricane- the MACK DADDY of the Power Wheels automobiles. It is Grace's birthday present...just a little early.

There was a mini fair in town for the weekend. When we told Grace that we were going she immediately became excited about the rides. She barely made the height limit on this one. She rode it with Sid the first time, and by herself the second time. No fear. Neither of my children have any fear.

I am good on the carousel- with my goofballs.

This is my favorite picture. Isaac loves to mow the lawn. He was truly thrilled that he was able to do it with his daddy.

Memorial Day Weekend

Our big fun for the weekend was our new bike trailer. We took it everywhere...the park, Goodberries (ice cream store) even some friends who live a couple of neighborhoods over. The kids LOVE it! It is a great workout too with all of the hills.

Isaac started off the weekend mowing the carpet while wearing his bowling shoes. He is always good for a few laughs.

Here we are on our way to our friend's house. It was kind of warm, but the kids get a great breeze, plus they always have their snack and drink. We want them to have a luxurious ride!

Grace's last day of preschool was today. They had their year-end program and Grace was the only child who had a speaking part. She got to say a prayer in front of the entire preschool and parents. She did great! I was so proud. I have no pictures of her saying the prayer b/c I was video taping- I am going to try and figure out how to download the video- but the gist of her prayer was this...she hoped that the people in the car accident were okay, something about Jesus and all of the children. It was very sweet. She prayed about the car accident b/c we always say a prayer when we see a car accident and we had seen one yesterday...so apparently we are still praying for those people.

Grace's class is the Busy Bees and they all have little bee hats on...lovely aren't they?

Poor little Andie always cries.

Grace and her great friend RyRy.

The Mighty Mighty Goldfish!

Our soccer season has come to an end. Though it was truly impossible to keep score- overall I think our team was pretty good. I know that we had a lot of fun. We are the purple Goldfish and we love to have snack! Truly, the only way I could get them to play sometimes was to bribe them with a snack at the end of the game. Funny kids.

This is Grace's soccer best friend, Cameron. I am really hoping to keep in touch with her mom, as the girls had so much fun together.

Mother's Day and Pullen Park

What a fun Mother's Day- my best yet! And as many of you know- Mother's Day has a special place in my heart- since it is my full-time job now to be a mother...and because it is the one day of the year that us mom's get special treatment, just for being a mom! My day began with Isaac sleeping until 10:15- and he wasn't even sick- praise God for that. Grace and I got up around 8:15 and went to get donuts...a very special treat for our family. Grace and I then headed to church as I had to teach. When I got home I got to go to the gym and upon my return we had the neighborhood over for some fun in the pool. That evening we went to Bonefish and sat outside and had a delicious dinner. The kids were excellent and the weather was perfect. Me and my kids on Mother's Day.

My third child Elizabeth, our sweet neighbor, is in this photo. She and her brother Joseph brought me a dozen pink roses.

Anyone want to get in the pool after this crowd?

Nana came into town on Wednesday to watch Graces soccer game. On Friday we went to Pullen Park to play, picnic and of course ride the train.

Grace loves the train. It really is fun, I have to admit.

My little guy will not let me touch him or hold him while on the train. He is very independent and does not need me!

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.