1st big book!

Jack just finished his first big book (144 pages) ! . It's called, 'Dick and Jane and Vampires'. haha. I am so happy to see he found a love for reading, and I hope he keeps it up. After finishing the book after reading he read it to us, he went on and has since read it twice by himself. Love this little dude. And I'm sure his brothers don't mind him wanting to read to them either!

Soccer!

Both boys had their first soccer games this last Saturday. When Jack had his first practice on Thursday his coach already knew he wanted him as a forward because he was so fast. He has always loved to run, and he sure is quick! Jack is still a little timid about getting in the action to steal the ball away, he is just a kind little fella- but man can he run! I am excited to watch him this year!

Trent and I were both curious to see how Blake would do in soccer. He is only 4, and his demeanor has always been relaxed and sweet. Before the game started when the coach was showing him exactly how to place his feet when kicking, etc.. Blake was doing everything a little too exact. Haha, like he would place his foot somewhere and not even budge it afterwards - it was so cute. But man, when that game started.. this kid was a pro! He was running stealing, PASSING the ball! He even scored! Wow, what a rockstar. So proud of you Blake. 

This season should be a fun one. We do have to run between two different soccer fields, but after watching them both, I don't mind one bit!

1st day of Preschool... kinda..

Blake has been excited to start school since Jack's last day of kindergarten. We recently got him a backpack which he has been wearing almost everyday. We counted down the last days until his first day... and now it was finally here!

We got in the car, I made sure I'd be able to go with him to meet his teacher on his first day, and we walked through the front doors.

That's when I realized... that his first day was actually yesterday. - forehead slap- . Seriously?! I was more worried about how Blake would feel. We slithered back into the car and I turned around to see his bottom lip growing bigger. "I'm really sad." he whispered. My heart sank. Worst feeling ever.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but we we'll start our first real day on Monday. How about we go get ice cream instead?"

"Okay!!" he squealed while grinning from ear to ear.  "That's even better than preschool anyway." he stated. 

PHEW. Love that kiddo so darn much. Total Mom fail, and I'm sure it won't be my last one either!

Potty training!

When we were at the store the other day, I was picking up new underwear for Jack and Blake, and Tyler said he wanted some of his own too. He really liked the ninja turtle ones, so we put them in the basket. I didn't really think much of it at the time, because I knew sooner or later we would be potty training him - so might as well have some right?... I mean, he's not even 2 1/2 yet. Well as soon as he found the package at home.. he was ready to wear them.

So I thought I would give Tyler a shot at wearing underwear. I gave him the speech about how he would have to keep them dry, and that meant doing ALL of our 'duties' in the potty. First day I took him to the potty every 45 minutes. Sometimes it was hard to convince him he needed to go, but I didn't make it an option. "I wanna cheese stick.." "Okay, but we have to go potty first."

"I wanna ride my bike-ick-le (bicycle)". "Okay, but we have to pee first."

First day 100% success. NO ACCIDENTS. Say what? hmmm... maybe I wasn't giving him enough credit. What a little ham. Second day he had 2 accidents. First one I wanted to happen so he could feel what it felt like when he was wet. The second one, he stopped halfway through and I took him to the potty to finish. Third day 100% success. AND he told me at the end of the day when he had to go!! What a rockstar!! One proud Momma right here! Day four he woke up dry. 

I know sometimes kids regress a little bit when they learn so young, but right now I am basking in this little stud muffin's victory. I may be bias, but my little boys are freakin rockstars!!

It's a beautiful life

 When the toilet overflows, remember to breathe.
When the news is too bleak, remember to hope.
When harsh words are about to come out, remember to pause.
Even a brief pause can do wonders.

When your feet get too weary, remember to dance.
When you feel like you don’t have enough, remember to give.
When you fear you’ve done too much damage, remember you’ve got today to make amends.
Even a quiet “I’m sorry” can do wonders.

When you feel like you’re going nowhere, remember how far you’ve come.
When you feel like a colossal failure, remember you are your worst critic.
When you’re just too darn tired, remember it’s okay to stop.
Even a brief rest can do wonders.

When you have too many things on your plate, remember you don’t have to do it all.
When you have too many balls in the air, remember to hold the most important one.
When the morning is one mad dash, remember to say goodbye.
Even a brief hug can do wonders.

When you can’t see the goodness through the chaos and the clutter, remember to keep looking.
The moments that keep us going can be found in the most unsuspecting places, in the most challenging times.
And even just one of them, tucked inside the arm of our precious one or in the midst of a trying day, can do wonders.

© Rachel Macy Stafford 2014

First day of 1st grade!

Jack started 1st grade this morning! Wow, how time flies. He has been so excited for school to start, it's fun to see. Sadly this morning he woke up throwing up, but luckily felt much better afterwards and insisted on going to school. Jack has an extremely sensitive stomach, so hopefully it was just sometime he ate and the rest of his day goes fantastic! 

Jack is a smart kiddo. He already knows addition and subtraction and multiplication in his head with numbers less than 10, and loves space and can name all the planets in order. He can also tell you facts about them such as if they are a gas giant, how big they are, what Saturn's rings are made out of etc.  

Happy 10 years!!

Since we already celebrated 10 years by going to Hawaii earlier... we spent the night eating out with our beautiful boys and going swimming. I love my cute little family!

More summer shenanigans