Soccer - Year 2

Months ago, Reegan and I looked through the Olathe Parks and Rec catalog to pick out a couple of summer activities. We decided to take the summer off from gymnastics and experience a couple other things. First up was soccer. Reegan was so excited for soccer and had been practicing, but the first lesson was pretty much what we have come to expect from Reegan. She sat on the sidelines and cried if we asked her to go out on the field by herself and instead just watched the rest of the kids. Lesson number 2 revealed a totally different kid, one who was ready to run out there and join her teammates, one who follows every direction from the coach, and who tries her hardest.

 I don't quite understand the reasoning behind this change in behavior but i'ts very predictable. Maybe she just needs to be prepared before she feels comfortable enough to participate or maybe she just has some anxiety about trying something new. I have no idea, but week 2 and all weeks since then have been great and she has done SO good.

 We are so proud of her and love going to watch her play. I am totally OK with being a soccer mom!

Our first home

We are well on our way to making our new house, our new home but I can't get our first house out of my head. I still subconsciously turn the wrong way when I am leaving work, or go the wrong direction on the highway headed back to this house. This house was the place I came back to for almost 7 years. Our starter (we'll be here for 3-5 years) house became the place we brought our two babies home too. The place they learned to walk and the place we made some pretty grown up decisions in.  

I am so excited for this next phase and the potential of our new house to be our forever home. It is slowly coming together. It is so great seeing my children explore our new surroundings and see their excitement match Jason and I's excitement. This first home will also hold a special place in my heart, but I know this house is going to hold even more events, challenges, and memories. I am excited to see what the future holds for us.

Spring Time

Why is it that the most beautiful of weather is so short lived. The warm spring days and the cool breeze that comes in at night. The most perfect temperature to sit outside and eat dinner or enjoy an iced coffee in the afternoon while the kids nap and I read my newest library book. I know the hot, sticky, humid summer nights and even hotter summer days are coming soon. I want to spend every moment outside, walking (I haven't been motivated to pick running back up), visiting Deanna Rose where we spend one morning a week for the season, and enjoying picnic at the parks. However, we have been spending more time indoors than we would like getting our new home in tip top shape. Figuring out organization and furniture layout. Not to mention repainting every room in the house and unpacking millions of boxes. 

Some evenings we just can't pass up a chance for family time and fresh air.  I love finding new, cheap toys for my kids and watching their face the first time they experience it. This was a toy that when you pull the string a circular piece flies off. We did happen to lose 2 of the 4 circular pieces in the trees but the toy was bought in the dollar spot of target, so we'll get over it.

Summer is quickly coming and I have a long list of dream activities, activities that we always run out of time trying to experience. The kids are so much fun and watching their faces is the best gift I could ever recieved

The Farm

One of my favorite summer spots is the Farmstead. We probably go at least once a week from April-October. Some trips are longer and we take the time to find the animals, ride the pony and fish. Most of the time we walk a little quicker, check out the chickens, spend a lot of time with cows, and notice the pretty flowers. This was a weekend and we fortunate that Jason was able to come with us.

 These kids love animals. Reegan uses her high-pitch baby voice and Gavin just points and says more when walking to the next animals.

Just another fun day celebrating our little family and enjoying the beautiful weather we're having.

Lately

I've noticed lately how quickly these kids are growing right before my eyes. The last few weeks have been unreal. Gavin has tripled the amount of words he says in the last couple of weeks and Reegan has been speaking like a grown-up and saying phrases I never expect to hear a 4 year old say. And her newest thing - telling knock, knock jokes. Girl has got a couple good ones and the delivery is the best part! Gavin on a daily basis says dog, baby, bottle, milk, water, eat, all done, night-night, hi, love you, spoon, mommy, no-no-no (with the finger shake), play (pay), sissy, bubby, dada, grammie, papa, grandma, yeah, pretty, ball, poop, and so much more. Loves to scream and giggle/laugh.

Gavin calls Reegan sissy and himself bubby. When any of us call him Gavin he will often correct us, point to himself and say bubby.  I love this and hope he they say bubby and sissy forever.

They play so well with one another. Reegan bosses Gavin around and tells him what he can and cannot do. It usually works for a while before Gavin throws himself on the ground in a tantrum and Reegan is mad because "he's not doing what I say!!!". Yep, that part is not so great, but I am loving the new independence that comes with them getting older.

This is a classic Reegan look. This is the look I get on a daily basis usually when I suggest something against what Reegan wants or thinks. Nap time? Wear something besides a dress? Not have pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You get the idea, I have a love/hate relationship with this face! She's so adorable, but the attitude can be a bit much.

For the past 6 months or so Reegan has been resisting the nap everyday. Most days that she doesn't take one and I am ok with it, she plays quietly in her room and goes to bed early around 8. However, our afternoons have been filled with a lot of drama and a lot of attitude. We're finding a nice balance of naps a few days a week and those nights she loves staying up late because she gets alone time with us and usually gets to bring out her games or watch a tv show that she has been asking all day to watch.

Reegan is still taking gymnastics and still loving it. She was asked to join team, but we decided to stick with the regular classes and discuss team again next spring. She is only 4 after all, no need to get burned out this early! We have also started swimming lessons which she is so excited about! She says swimming lessons are her favorite place to go. This girl challenges me and makes me so happy. I think she can literally pull every emotion from me in a matter of minutes. Love her!

Gavin loves playing outdoors and many times will throw a fit when it is time to come indoors. He is such a happy natured child and loves life and everything that goes with it. When he gets cranky I give him food and he is instantly happier. The boy can eat and will often eat more than Reegan. He is busy and so perfect. Love him!

I am loving the stage we are in right now, it is so great to watch them learn and love the world around them.  The winter seemed to hang on forever and now we are thankful for time spent outdoors in the sunshine. We are so ready for summer and so thankful our new neighborhood has a pool! I see many mornings, evenings and weekends being spent swimming and maybe getting a nice tan!

Mother's Day

I told Jason all I wanted for Mother's day was a picture with my kids. I want them to look at pictures decades from now and feel my love for them. So, I got my pictures this year!

I also got a little more. Reegan made me a ring out of pipe cleaner and a handprint ornament from preschool. The kids picked out 3 pots for my herbs and Reegan picked out a purple candle (Jason told me after smelling all of them and picking out her favorite). These kids are amazing!

Jason also planned a morning out to the zoo on Saturday morning, which I loved. My favorite things: time with my family, being outdoors and watching my kids faces as they experience new.

 Saturday night Jason and I had a long overdue date night where we ate dinner on the patio followed by ice cream, another few of my favorite things).

Sunday we were fortunate enough to celebrate our moms, my aunt and grandmother with a lunch before naps were taken by all.

My happy, wonderful family. I'm so blessed and wouldn't trade them for anything!