{Score!}

Hayes has had a very successful soccer season.  We are already looking at some Academy's and special training programs for him this spring.  They say he might be able to try out for Classic soccer next year if he keeps up this success, the scouts are really positive and encouraging.


I kid, I kid. He has had some stellar goals the past few games one of which I caught on camera. Yay for me! I was actually using the thing which I lug around for the purpose in which it is intended! Brace yourself, picture overload...

Hayes has the ball...he has dribbled out in front of the pack of 3 year olds...

 He makes it down to the goal.  He SHOOTS....

 And SCORES! (and immediately turns to see the crowds reaction)

 Beaming from ear to ear as he hears the roar from the crowd, his friend Jae rushes to catch up with him to give him some props...

 "Sweet Goal," Jae says, "give me a high five"....

 Alright! Well Done!

 (wait for it, wait for it)....

YEAH!

 Let's go do that again!

I mean at least that's my interpretation.  How stinkin' cute are those two! I love those kids!

{Cleveland County Fair}

We love the Fair at our house! I use the term "We" loosely because I'm pretty sure my hubby would exclude himself from that statement. But anytime you can go to the fairgrounds and see the farm animals, we are in!

Of Course we had to ride on the International Tractor.  These have such a special meaning to me because my grandad used to own an International Harvester dealership so they always make me think of him!

 

 

We petted every animal that we could pet!

And looked at all the blue ribbon animals!

Hayes being silly as usual. I promise I don't have a picture of this kids with a serious face!

Parker riding in the barrels that are pulled behind a tractor.  I'm sure this is safe, right?

It was a great Saturday out at the Fair and we can't wait to go back next year!

{Soccer has begun}

This fall was Hayes's first chance to have his own activity that he got to do.  We picked soccer for him because he loves to run, its pretty easy to catch on to, and we have some great friends whos kids were playing too so we would get to experience this together.


As we were getting Hayes ready for his first game we were suiting him up and started to give him a pep-talk for the game.  It dawned on us that he had only been practicing with his team and hadn't ever really learned what the game part might look like.  I told him there were going to be some other players on the field wearing other color jerseys and they were going to be playing against each other. "Huh?", he said.  We were laughing and headed to the game thinking..."here we go, let's see how this turns out."



Apparently it was natural to him or my husbands instruction of just get the ball and shoot it in the goal worked because he did GREAT!

Here is his team lining up for the first kick off of the season. Their coach is a great friend of ours and is amazing with the kids!  Thanks coach Dusty!

Hayes is all smiles on the field! He friend Abbie is the little girl in the pink and Jae is right behind them.

{First Day of School for Hayes}

Hayes started a new school this year which is two days a week all day (yay for me!) and he has not even blinked an eye as his transition.  He has 3 very special friends in his class and runs in to see them everyday!

 

I have a very special year this year having P in school all day and having Hayes home with me, but he loves feeling like he is a big kid and loves having his "own thing" to do.  He gets to pack his lunch  like his sister and carry his new cool camo backpack that I promise goes down to his knees.

Talk about independent, he begs me everyday to let him out the door so he can run in by himself.  This picture shows the long sidewalk just to get into the doors.  It's another long hallway, down some steps, and through another door to get to his class.  One day I told him he could go in by himself, but I snuck behind him.  I was busted and lets just say he was not happy with me.

We love his precious teacher who has been in the same class for 17 years! She is amazing with the kids and does some very special art and activities with them.  Hayes will be a great student and is very eager to learn.  We couldn't be more proud of what a big boy he is growing up to be!

{First Day of School for Parker}

Our first born started her First Day of Kindergarten this year and that was harder on me that it was on her!  She previously went to Pre-K at her school so she cruised right in and waved goodbye from her seat.  It was almost a blessing because although I was putting on a strong front, my heart was crushed inside.  I didn't cry (until later in the day) but we just gave her hugs and kisses and waved goodbye and left.  I truly felt like I left my heart in that school. 

All day her brother and I were looking at the clock, counting down the hours, and longing for her to be home.  Time stood still that first day!  We could hardly stand the suspense of what she was doing and hearing about her day.

I am so proud of our little girl who is all grown up.  She loves school and loves learning.  It has never been a struggle to get her to school and she has a great time while she's there, which for a parent is one of the best things you can ask for!

I can't wait to see what this year holds for our sweet Parker! 

{Last Summer Swim with our Friends}

This post is long overdue, but I just uploaded my pictures from the end of August to today and these pics were just too sweet not to share!

We have been busy this past week and I know it is no excuse because I promised to update more frequently so here are a few posts of what we have been up to lately!

Our kids are so blessed to have the best friends and some of those sweet friends are kids of some of our oldest and best friends.  We got together with the Nimmos, Schuermanns, and Treases at the end of the summer for a swim night and the kids had the best time!  All of the Fathers have been friends for 20+ years and the Mommies have been friends for 15+ years too so it's such a blessing to see our kids together!

Parker, Abbie, Jae, Hayes, Ellie, Joel, and Cole 

(missing is Tucker who was sleeping in his carrier and Kaiya who will be here in a few short months and Caleb who was still in his mommy's tummy)

These are the sweetest friends!  We can't wait for Kaiya to get here and for Tucker and Caleb to be swimming around next summer!

{Hello Friends...It's been a while}

Where does the time go?  I can't even believe I have not been on here in 7 MONTHS! I am a terrible blogger and they should revoke my blogging license (if they had such a thing).  I am returning to my space here on the www because I have so many things swimming around in the noggin of mine that I would like to share, but more importantly I have not kept our favorite far-away Aunt and Uncle in the loop with all of the wonderful things Parker and Hayes. (i apologize, I am sure this will not be the last time, but I will try my darnedest!)

We are in the full swing of "life" with a kindergartener and Pre-schooler.  Things are busy, exciting, crazy, and busy (with a little drop of busy mixed in).

Parker is loving school and has jumped into the routine seamlessly! She is in all day kindergarten which means my baby is now a big girl.  She is gone from 7:40-2:50 everyday and her mom and brother can hardly stand it! From the moment we drop her off, Hayes is asking if we can pick her up.  She is soaking up school like a sponge and comes home wanting to learn more.  She has confidence beyond her years and brings such a joy to our family. 

Hayes has started Pre-school two days a week and is loving every minute of feeling like he is a big kid in "school" too!  He gets to take his backpack and lunch to school and is learning letters just like his sister.  I'm so proud of how big he is getting and love that he is excited for school everyday.  I've loved my precious time with just him and cherish (almost) every minute of it! He can be the sweetest boy you've ever met but can also wear you down like no one else.  He will not take NO for an answer. (not sure where he gets that) I love his persistence and know that trait is one that when used in the right way will bring great blessing to his life!  He is the most loving, stubborn, kind-hearted, sensitive, strong-willed child and I love him to pieces.  He brings life and laughter to our family!

I will keep my blog updated very often with posts about my kids, thoughts, fun house projects and whatnots, so check back often!