Uncle Doug's Horses

The kids had fun riding horses at Uncle Doug's.

Soccer?

Although soccer didn't go that well on Saturday, it was interesting to see how practice would go today.  She seemed to struggle but a the end, she said she had a good time.  I think it's tough for her because the league is 7-10 year olds.  So, it's a bunch of 9 and 10 year old boys and Mikayla.  They all are about twice her size and have probably taken soccer for years.  I think Mikayla gives it her all but at the same time she does not have the stamina and skill as the rest of them.  I think the problem she has is she doesn't know how to act when she is not the star.  Everytime she starts an activity and he isn't as accomplished as everyone, she just wants to give up.  Although she has already said she doesn't want to continue after this session, I was hoping she would find her groove.  I don't think that will happen but I hope she hangs in there.

Worries

Sometimes I really worry about my kids (now, what mom doesn't)

Both love to be around older kids.  OK.  But, usually the older kids M is hanging around are boys.  Maybe that is Ok now, but I'm worried what happens when she is 11 and they are 15.  Last night she was hanging around the park with a bunch of 4th and 5th grade boys.  Yes, one 2nd grade girl and a bunch of older boys.  When we talked about it later, she told me they were nice to her, why should that be wrong?  Well, yes, but we talked about how some people that are nice sometimes aren't as nice as you think.  We also talked about how she shouldn't hang out  with a bunch of strange people by herself.  I don't think she really gets it, but I'm hoping it makes her a little more cautious.

Then, the other one... Well, J started at the park playing with the 7th grade neighbor, because that's who he knew.  Other kids joined in but they were all ages.  Then, towards the end, he was playing with older boys who were playing chase but there was a lot of wrestling involve.  I actually saw Josh kick a kid and pulled him out of the area for a time out.  One of the older boys (I think a 4th grader), told me J was just defending himself.  The other kid had been beating on him.  OYYYY!

I did try to bring the kids to play with other kids closer to their age, but at this point in the night they were both involved with their groups and didn't want to change what they were doing.

I do pray that I lead them to be nice to others and not get into trouble, but I'm not sure how to better encourage them on days like this.

Soccer

M has wanted to play soccer for a year.  We finally signed her up for Y soccer, along with J.  I think she has changed her mind now.

Their first games were today and I'm not sure it went that well.  They play on fields right next to each other at the exact same time.  So, I have to go back and forth between the two fields to split their time.

First of all, M hit the ball with her head, just like a good soccer player would.  But, this stunned her and she cried for about 5 minutes (it might have actually been 10)  Finally, I got her back in the game and she was running around like crazy.  The only problem was that she spent a good portion of the time talking to the boy next to her.  Imagine that!

Then, on J's field:  He has all the energy and can actually kick pretty well.  But, as with most 3/4 year olds, he doesn't quite have the attention span.  Another kid was told to be the goalie.  Well, J decided this kid would be his new bff.  So, he didn't want to leave the other kid's side.  The coach told him to come out and play.  J told him no so he pulled him.  I think the coach actually felt pretty bad for this because as soon as he did, J started crying.  So, I held him for a while until he was calm enough to go back in the game.  Then, he had a blast.

I guess, as the saying goes, there IS crying in soccer.

First Day of School

J started in the 4 year old preschool on Monday.  He did real well.  His teach seemed real nice and he was happy a lot of friends are still in his class.  Of course, when I ask what his friends' names are, he just says he doesn't know.

M started 2nd grade on Tuesday.  On Monday, we went to meet her teacher.  She was so excited she was bouncing off the walls.  She saw 'Bruno's locker was next to her and jumped up and down.  I wasn't sure if she was happy or freaked out.  She also was extremely happy to have Dominick in her classroom--she has said he has been her boyfriend for the last two years.  I hope she doesn't harrass him too much.

I haven't heard much else from school other than little snippets. She seems happy to go and happy when she gets home so I guess that's good.

As for me, I'm glad that we are into a new routine.  The last few weeks we lost a lot of our routine.  I think because of this, there was a lot more fighting.  Hopefully, with time away from each other, things will be more peaceful (and maybe I might figure out how to clean the house again)

There is love!

Posing

Choir

I am so excited that my girls was chosen for the Children's Choir in our town.  I wasn't aware of the tryouts until they were over.  But, we were told we could come to the camp and be put on the waitlist.  On the second day of camp, I go the call that she was now in the choir.  I thought that meant she would be on the waitlist, but no, she went straight  to being in the choir.   I feel she is so honored to be picked and I am so proud.

But, best of all, I wasn't sure what we were going to be doing for singing lessons.  I didn't want to give them up but knew we needed a change.  So, now she is going to have singing practice once a week.  What a wonderful solution!

Dancing

M had her end of session parent's show today.  It was sort of funny because the dad sitting next to me kept talking about how cute she was and so full of energy.  Then, at the break, she came up to me and gave me a hug.  He didn't really say anything after that.  I guess he didn't realize whose kid she was.  It was sort of funny-at least the comments were good.

In other news, she has been moved up to the next level.  I shouldn't be surprised but I am so proud.

New Start

Let's see how we do!  I'd like to document our family and the memorable times!

M: 7 years old going on 16.  She's a diva and the teenage years are going to be interesting

J: Almost 3.  He is such a love, until he's not!  He's a little troublemaker but loves to love.

Me:  Part time student, part time teacher.  Full time mom and volunteer

D:  Full time CFO, part time musician, photographer

Simon: The dog, hanging in there and putting up with everyone else