Soccer Tots

We enrolled Grant in Small Stuff Soccer this year at the local Y. Summer is the perfect time of year to do this kind of thing. Gary is home more in the summer and MOMS Club activities slow down a bit. I wanted Grant to have a chance to get some exercise, burn some energy and possibly learn what it's like to be part of a team (very important lesson for all toddlers). Gary volunteered to coach and I volunteered to be team mom (not that I did anything!). There were only enough kids for two teams, so we played the same kiddos over and over.

Grant was super excited for his first game...

... however, when the game started he REFUSED to get on the field. This became a theme for the season. At this game, I finally handed him my camera and told him to go take a picture of the ball. I had 67 pictures of the ball when we got home, but he was out there running after it!

All the kiddos waiting instructions from Coach Gary and Coach Daniel.

I love how patiently Grant would wait in line for his turn, so cute! The funniest part of practice was Grayson though. I wish I had pictures... Grayson would wait in line with all the big kids, too. He thought he was part of the team! He even fought me at games to get on the field. I think we might have a future soccer star in that little boy! He was dribbling and shooting with the best of them!

This picture just makes me laugh. What a stud!

His awful fake smile!

Grant made great progress through the season. The first game was definitely the toughest. Each game I would have to find something new to bribe him with to stay on the field. But (to our great delight) the last game of the season was phenomenal! Grant stayed on the field, he was part of the team and the kid tried so hard on every play. He made a goal and even had some great defensive plays. It made the whole season worth it to see him excel at the end.

Easter Egg Hunt #2

Our next Easter adventure was hosted by MOMS Club. We all met at a park and had one super duper large Easter egg hunt. After playing and snacks, we lined up all the kids to 'hunt' the eggs. But what's this? ...

Where is Grayson going? He wanted nothing to do with the egg hunt this time. He only wanted to climb that slide. A man on a mission, I say. Grant was also a man on mission... to get evey egg humanly possible. "Which way should I go, mom? Gotta get the most eggs!"

Easter Egg Hunt #1 (Featuring My Stinkin' Cute Kids)

Our first Easter Egg Hunt of the season was at church last Sunday. Before loading up into the car, I snapped 10-15 pictures. Oh, they were all soooo cute. I won't bore you with all of them, but can I just say that my children are precious?

I love the matching outfits (Thanks, Tippi) and the matching smiles! Making our way to the egg hunt. Grant could hardly contain his excitement...

... and we're off! He has got this egg hunt thing down!

Grayson on the other hand was a little confused (or maybe just not very motivated). I love his expression in this picture. It's like he's saying, "You want me to do what?"

Ok... I guess.

All the kids (and Gary) looking at their loot.

This is the best family picture we could get... it was SOOOO windy!

Grant takes off again after finding an egg everyone else had missed!

My sweet, silly boy!

Oh, melt my heart!

Three!

Well, it's done. Grant is now three! (sniff, sniff) This is the first year that he just talked non-stop about his party! I guess I would be working on a few things and mention to him that it was for his birthday party. So we'd go about town, he'd see something he liked and would ask, "Is that going to be at my party?" No. No, Grant. The engine and fifty train cars are not going to be at your party...

... but we did have a train themed party. I made the shirt for him a day or two before the party. He loved it! He also found a new place to play with his trains. He LOVES to play with them in the sandbox now. They leave tracks behind (he gets a big kick out of that) and he can bury them. He's constantly coming up to me and saying, "Momma, where'd itty bitty Thomas go?" And I have to go find him in the sand. Speaking of the sandbox, it apparently is a big hit with the toddler set....

... I was wondering how many toddlers you could fit into one sandbox!

One of the great things about this party was it was a great mix of family and friends. AND Greg, Jen and Austin got to come for the first time! We're going to love having them so close.

On to the activities... Gary made his yummy oatmeal cookies in the shape of a train engine. All the kiddos got to decorate a cookie with icing and sprinkles. Then put their cookie along with the matching cookie cutter (thanks, Erica) in a goodie bag. I'm sure it was a yummy treat for later... especially with all those sprinkles!

Grant decorating his cookie.

See what I mean about the sprinkles? That seemed to be the kids' favorite part!

A sweet picture of Grandpa and Grayson.

Next, we did some finger painting. I, in keeping with the theme, told them to paint a train. I did not expect that to happen, but it made me feel like this activity belonged at the party. The kids LOVED this part. Especially Grant. He was covered in paint by the end and I loved watching every minute of it.

Grant and his best buddy, Michael.

Ok, now you'd think I might be upset by this. But I actually hope it never washes off. Just a reminder of how much fun Grant had!

I think every kid managed to touch this piece of paper! I promised Amory she could have it when it dried!

Bibby, John and Austin.

"Cheese!"

Now, I have to tell you that my dear, sweet husband was in charge of picture taking. He did a great job, but there are some things I wish I could show you that I worked really hard on. Like the cupcakes. And the centerpieces. And the banners. Well, I'll just have to recreate it again another day.

Cheese and Stripping

Oh, wow. This post will let you in on a little secret... my kids are a mess! Grayson is communicating so well. He says more and all done (via sign language) and says all kinds of other words, too. His favorite lately is to say 'cheese' when I take out the camera. I am desperately trying to get this on video because it is the most awful yet precious thing ever!

He sticks his chin straight in the air, squints his eyes and starts to drool (all while smiling and saying cheese)! Someone needs to teach this kid how to take a picture! And then there's Grant. He is obsessed with undressing himself right now. At birthday parties, playgrounds, parking lots... you name it. And apparently it is much more fun to play in the sand sans clothing. Please... try to contain your laughter.

Traintastic View

Grant's party this year has a train theme. And guess what? Our favorite photographer just happens to take pictures on train tracks. I couldn't resist. And Grant was exceptionally excited to be allowed to play on the tracks! Here are a few of my favorites:

Nests and Eggs

Our local nature center had another wonderfully educational class, so we took advantage of it (once again). This time Grant and his friends learned all about nests and eggs! We all took a nature walk first, looking for nests of all kinds. Afterwards, each of the kids used a 'beak' and a paper bag to collect all kinds of leaves, twigs and grass to create their very own nest!

Grant did a great job using the 'beak' to collect his own little piece of nature. Michael and Grant still hard at work looking for the perfect items for their nest.

Voila! Grant's nest!

After all that nest making, the kiddos got to listen to some stories, sing some songs and pass around some real eggs. I love this picture. These two are inseperable. And I can only imagine what they were saying to each other!

Seriously? Too cute!