Soccer Game - 1st one

Yesterday Justus and his team the Pollen Jocks, were out scored by the blue team. They are so cute out there tho. You can tell that most, if not all, have never done this kind of play before. They had no concept of kicking the ball continuously until it reached the net. They understood to kick it, but not in an organized way. By half time, most were done with the game. When asked to come back in a sub, most were shaking their heads no. There were even some tears.

Justus was done also. We had to have a conversation about being a part of a team and helping out. But J did get some good kicks in. Their team did score 1 goal. After talking to the coach after the game he said that team was comprised of mostly 4 year olds who probably all played together last year. Well, good thing our little ones didnt really have the concept of being beaten. So it was no worries, just a fun time of running around.

Justus first soccer practice

We took J for his first practice Thurs night. His team has only two girls on it and the rest are boys. Most of them are 3 and I think one or two might be 4 years old. I was actually impressed by how well they all did. Their coach has a 3 yr old boy on the team so it was nice cause not only is he a great soccer player but he understands how to teach a kid.

They did a few drills - learning to dribble, pass and shoot. When they were stretching and running for warm up, Justus decided he should go over to the slide and go down it. He was the only one and I couldnt believe that he did that. Oh my, I was not happy with his lack of following instruction.

We shall see how the game goes....

Justus' first Homework

When Justus preschool teacher came for the home visit, she dropped off a 12x12 scrapbook page for Justus to decorate and bring back to class. Well, I just got around to remembering to have him do it (and the note in his box reminding me spurred me forward!). Back to school night is tomorrow and I know the teacher needs it for that. So I sat Justus down and let him decide how to decorate it. Of course I guided him but after reading the LPM blog post (http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/2009/09/preschool-lessons.html) on preschool assignments, I made sure it was very Justus-lead. I think it turned out really good.

Where O' Where is Haven

Where can she be?? Neil and Justus were out on a bike ride and I was getting ready to give Haven a bath. I told her to go in her room and take her shoes off and put them in her shoe basket. As she was doing that I went to get her towel etc. When I went to go get her I could not find her. I looked in her room and everywhere else. Finally I noticed she had wedged herself between her changing table that I just moved into her closet and the wall of the closet. Wow - tight fit, but her little self was in there being still and quiet as can be.

Good times at the Beach!

This past Friday we had an impromptu trip to the beach. My sis and her fam were planning on going for the long weekend and they always let us know and invite us to stay with them in their 5th wheel. We knew we'd be going at least for Saturday but Friday morning I gave Neil a call at work and we decided we could just use some of our Marriott points and stay fri night in a hotel. Since Haven is still in a pack n play we knew staying with my sis over night would be challenging. So we opted for the hotel route. I was so glad we did.

My kids were so good. I was super proud of how they handled everything. The ride over was mostly good - no complaining or whining, or at least, very little and that was only because we ate dinner so late and they were hungry.

Then in the hotel room, they went to bed and were quiet when it was time to sleep. I really wasnt sure how that would all go down. Justus has stayed in the room with us before but with Haven in the mix I was a little leary. But it all turned out to be awesome.

Then we got up, at bfast and headed to Avila. We were there from 9 in the morn til 3. The kids played so good. At first Haven wasnt about to let her feet get all sandy but she warmed up to it. This was actually a blessing in disguise cause it meant she wasnt trying to run off.

My sis and her fam joined us about noon. We all had a great time hanging together. This was the first trip to the beach that I actually enjoyed the whole time. Haven was finally old enough to not be difficult. Justus is a champ, just give the kid a few cars and hes good to go.

After the beach we went back to my sis's to clean up, then into town for dinner. The ride home was good to cause the kids were so tired. Neither had had a nap which I wasnt so sure about, but that too was fine.

Good times at the Beach!!

My Girly-girl

Haven has always loved her shoes. She would go into her room and sit for like 20 min trying on all her shoes. These days she will put on her high heels and walk around the house. She will also take her other favorite shoes which are pink crock-types and put them on her Teddy. She insists that Teddy wears shoes also and is constantly asking me to help her get them on. It just is so funny to see/hear her click clacking thru the house playing normally yet with heels on. So Girly-girl!

What we are working on

Kids definitely are a work in progress!! (I guess adults are too) But I wanted to document what is forefront for my kids right now. Haven will be 2 in a couple of months and Justus is exactly 3.5.

Haven: My little sassy pants. She will close her eyes as if to say "Im not talking to you, I cant see you, you are not there" when someone she doesnt know greets her. I think this is super rude and cannot stand for it to go on. Thankfully, this was covered in our parenting classes so I know what tactics to use...it just may take awhile. So in the mean time, if she does this to you, Im sorry and we really are working on it.

Also for Haven I need to work on her coming when I call. She hears me and almost always chooses to run the other way or at least, just stop with her back to me with no intention to come. I think this will just take a little role playing when Neil is around to help. I know we went through this with Justus.

Justus: His difficulties right now are using his words to communicate instead of crying. I think he has mini meltdowns as I have witnessed a few at church (when he doesnt know Im there) and I can only imagine it has happened at Preschool as well. I do believe its getting better but still an area we need to work on.

Also, a year into his potty training, I wouldnt consider him 100%. He actually has done leaps and bounds better in the past few months. I think being home with just Neil for those few days I was in Alabama really helped him. Something about a Mans authority....hmmm....well, whatever works I say! He wont just go on his own without being prompted, but mostly he is clean and dry all day. Yay for that victory!!