Soccer, Week 2

Abby had a great second week at soccer.  I could see her really catching on to the game and learning not just rules but some of the strategy.  More importantly, she had so much fun.  She worked hard the whole game and came away afterward feeling proud of herself and can't wait to go to practice this week.  It's good to see how much she is enjoying soccer!  

When in doubt, look for the pink socks!

Spring Break Fun (Part 1)

We had a great Spring Break with Abby!  It was so nice to have her home with us all week.  We sure miss her when she's at school.  We went out to Frying Pan Farm with friends one day and got to see lots of baby animals.  

  

We spent a half a day in DC and visited Roy at work and then the kids and I went to the Natural History Museum.  It was my first time doing a museum by myself with the three kids (go big or go home, right?) and it actually went really well.  We got lucky and got to see a tarantula feeding and Abby and Sam got second row seats right in front of the cage.  We got to bid farewell to the dinosaur wing that will be closed for 5 years and see the T-Rex Room that just opened for the building of the T-Rex.  It was pretty awesome.  Abby wished her cousin Miriam could be there with her (if you hadn't  heard, they plan on being paleontologists together and opening a museum of their own).  Sam, Lydia, and I just appreciated the sheer number of crates that were there holding the bones.  We're excited to go back and see what progress has been made!

Miriam, this picture is for you!

A Reason to Smile

I love this brownie face.  One thing I love about Sam is that he jumps into life with exuberance.  That's everything, even licking a spoon of brownie batter.

Roy is in Palm Springs this week (rough life) and the kids wanted to send him pictures of their silliest faces.  I love how you can see their own twist on the idea of silliest face.

This sweet message came home from school with Abby today.  We do pretty well when Roy is gone, but we would obviously prefer to have him home.  It was especially nice to get this today and give me a boost for the next couple of days until Roy gets home.  Abby is such a builder of people and she looks for the best in those around her.  I love that about her and love that I am the recipient of her love today.

"Something that makes me feel good is:

Mom gives me a warm feeling."

Abby's 1st Week of Soccer

Abby was SO excited to start to start soccer.  We told her on her birthday that one gift was playing soccer and she was so anxious to start.  Because of the extended, snowy winter we've had, the start got delayed so by the time the first Wednesday practice rolled around this week, she couldn't stop talking about it.  In fact, she made a journal in school ready to write about her experience, she woke up early talking about it, and the whole hour-plus between school ending and getting to practice were filled (I'm talking non-stop) with her talking about soccer, wondering about soccer, reviewing rules, etc.

Here's her first practice:

It was so cold!

She's on the right side.  Love the pink socks for the ease in finding her in pictures.

 First game:

Abby's team played so hard!  The first thing she would tell you is that her team lost, but those four kids played so hard!  My favorite moment of the game was when Abby blocked a goal and Roy shouted out, "Excellent job, Abby!"  She grinned and started skipping.  It was a moment of pure joy.

Just a Few Pictures

Me at 22 weeks.  Funny how I feel so much bigger looking down than from the side.  But I'm pretty sure that the last week has me appearing bigger.  So fun to think a little boy is growing in there!

 We have to take a picture whenever they go down like a choo-choo train.  Lydia instigates that :)

Lydia and I went on a little date yesterday and she dressed up for it: hat, sunglasses, green crocs, and a big grin.  I had to take a picture to commemorate the cute girl I got to run a couple errands with.

Lydia's Family Birthday Party

We had so much fun celebrating Lydia's birthday with cousins, grandparents, and some good friends.  Can you see how happy she is?  She loved being the center of attention!  Please note that Sam is wearing a doggy costume.  From his Halloween costume 2-1/2 years ago.  It's worn probably 5 times a week.

 

 

 

Boston Crème Pie and the excitement of blowing out the candles.

 

More of the gang and a few friends.

 

These 2 really get into chocolate.

 

 

 

 

Playing with new toys and old before church:

Little Bits of Laughter

• Conversation between Sam and I:
• Me: "Why are you so handsome today?"
• Sam: "Because I know everything!"
• If Abby's class has stayed focused in PE, her teacher lets the class do a song or two on Just Dance on the Wii.  One day she earned the privilege of being able to choose the song.  She was so excited after school to report to Lydia that her whole class danced to the "Lilo & Stitch" song--she picked it because she loves Lydia and Lydia loves Stitch.
• Whenever we come home, Lydia has to stop and admire the daffodils that are just beginning to bloom in our neighbor's yard.  She checks on each one, pokes some with sticks, and talks and sings to them.
• Sam: "When I grow up, I don't want to be a big tummy guy.  I want to have the right size tummy."
• Abby was sitting at the table with her knees up and her chin on her knees.  All the sudden she said, "Ewww!  I just farted in my face!"
• I tried to take Lydia's jacket off the other day when we walked in the house.  She squirmed away from me and turned around and said, "No jacket off!  It's special!"

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Why choose between screen time and enjoying spring weather?