Spring Soccer

May 14, 2011

 Caleb played Spring Soccer again this year and seemed to enjoy it. I say "seemed" because he didn't appear to have as much fun as last year. Last year he dominated the Kindergartners. This year the kids have outgrown him (he is the youngest you can be and barely make the deadline) and have caught up to his aggressive playing style. I don't think he liked the competition. I also think that for 2 years all he has heard is parents (me included) yelling for him to give the other kids a chance. He has always been bigger, faster and very aggressive. This year he is smaller/average, equal to his peers on most things and has no aggressiveness at all.  I think his competitive spirit has been talked out of him.  Sad. Maybe the sports field is not the place to teach him sharing and kindness.  I probably should have just found him a more competitive league.

But, maybe he did have fun and I am the one that didn't enjoy sitting in the freezing cold weather each Saturday.

This is how Josh enjoyed the games. Angry Birds.

And of course, no post would be complete without a dirty look from Bella. Such talent.

PS: The swimsuit was new and it wasn't worth the fight.  After all, I think it almost reached 60 whole degrees this MAY day.

Father's and Sons

May 13, 2011

These kids LOVE their Dad. I don't blame them. He is fun, adventurous and an absolutely amazing man. I was a little jealous that they got to spend an entire evening (the first camping of the season) all alone with him. They look forward to this night all year long.

Of course, there are no pictures of their adventures but they set up camp, had dinner, played ladder ball, built a fire, hiked around, roasted marshmallows and had a great night! Joshie, per his usual fashion, asked to go to bed at 9PM (and did) and Caleb chose to stay up until 11PM playing with the fire. Such different boys. Great combination! They are already looking forward to next year.

After the boys left, Bella and I set out for a GNO with Stephanie and her two girls Maddi and Abbi. We went to Gateway and had a fabulous dinner, shopped and had yummy treats. It was a beautiful night and we had a blast!

Spiderella

May 10, 2011

I can honestly say that we have had the BEST teachers thus far for Caleb. This year he has had Mrs. Christensen and she has been the most patient, loving and supportive teacher one could ever ask for their child to have. She is big on discipline and respect and has high expectations for her kids. This translates into obedient smart kids!

Caleb has LOVED going to school each day knowing that he gets to spend it with Mrs. C! I don't know about other moms, but I love being around my kids (most of the time:). I really do miss this little boy when he is gone all day. Nothing makes me happier than seeing him skipping/running home from the bus stop ready to give me a BIG hug. The only consolation is that I know that he is in good hands! I wish I had a million buck because this teacher definitely deserves it!

At the end of the year Caleb's class put on a puppet show. The kids had been practicing a LONG time for the big day. Caleb was in the play "Spiderella".

Each student decorated their own puppet, practiced their lines and learned about entertaining an audience. Caleb was the cicada prince. My favorite part was his "stage" voice. Think of an old man trying to be sexy. That was the voice. Loved it.

This was an awesome way for the kids to learn SO MANY things! This isn't book work or teaching for a test. This is teaching kids how to apply concepts (public speaking, art, confidence, etc) that are so important! They learned so much without even knowing it! I am so glad that I have a boy that has a thirst for learning just like his mommy!

Hog's-N- Dogs/Gardening

May 7, 2011

Our Ward held the 2nd annual "Hogs-N-Dogs" on Saturday. It is a fun event where people bring their bikes, motorcycles and then we cook hot dogs. This year they had a huge bike course for the kids that kept them entertained for hours.

 They also got to decorate their scooters and bikes. This was one of the few warm days we had this spring.

Joshua and his big wheel!

Princess and her pink motorcycle!

She kept up with the big kids as best as she could.

Josh concentrating really hard on the nail!

We also took advantage of the nice day and planted our garden. We are by NO means great gardeners. We are more like kindergartners at it. We try hard but miss the mark more often then not. But, you got to start somewhere right? When we can grow a few things maybe then we will try our hand at a bigger garden.

 Bella put on her gardening shoes for the occasion. Nothing like pink, puffy shoes to dig in the dirt right?

Why do boys love tools? Caleb will jump at the chance to use them, but Bella could care less.

We will see if anything grows. So far we have had one radish:) Yum.