Tiny Tot Soccer

Tiny Tot Soccer is...

throwing grass to distract the opposing team

dancing with your shadow on the field

taking a "break" during the middle of the game because you want to

fast break-aways that keep going, and going right past the goal

making goals for the other team

having fun with friends

snacks before, during and after the game

learning to play the game

and most important it makes Jack HAPPY!

Go Green Monsters/Dragons!!!

Growling

There has been a lot of growling going on at our house lately. Low throat growling and rumbling out of the mouth from all the men in our home...I am not quite sure where it comes from, but I have a theory. I believe it goes back to the age of cavemen where grunting and growling was a form of communication. The men in my home are trying to tell me something, but here's the thing, I don't speak cavemen!

On a more serious note, yes there is growling going on, but I can understand some of it. It all started with Rob, he growls when he's frustrated. Then Jack picked it up- it is pretty funny when your three-year-old growls at you, but the BEST growl of all is the one that comes out of the baby. He's got it down! He growls for his own entertainment and to let his brother know that he doesn't approve when a toy is taken away. BEWARE- if you come over to our house you might just get growled at.

Solids, YUMMY-O!

We've hit the 4 month-starting-solids phase at our house. I can't believe my baby is growing so FAST...slow down little man. Just in case you were wondering, Parker is LOVING food. He is a very social eater, so beware- you need a drop cloth to feed him. Love you little man!

Jackson Hole and Yellowstone

Hanging in the Condo

Old Faithful

Hiking to Hidden Falls

Parker rocking the Bjorn!

Over Labor Day weekend we went with my parents up to the "Condo" as Jack calls it and spent some much needed time R&Ring. It was so nice to spend time together as a family. We hiked and took a day to travel up to Yellowstone. Rob has been to Yellowstone quite a few times to backpack, but he's never seen Old Faithful. We decided that it would be fun to take the kiddos there. As we were driving up we were explaining to Jack where we were going. We told him we were going to see Old Faithful and he then repeated back to us, "Why do we want to go see Old People?" Rob and I busted up laughing and tried to explain that we would probably see some of those as well, but we were going to see some geysers- really cool holes in the earth that shoot out steam and water. He was pretty excited about the later. It's funny what a three-year-old hears. Needless to say, we had a great time except for a run-in with the ground that Jack had.

Another fun trip to Wyoming!

Preschool

First day of School

How is it that just yesterday he was just a little baby and now he is a big boy going off to school? He tells me multiple times a day, "No Mom, I'm a big boy, I can do it all by myself". Well son, you are a big boy and I have to learn to let you do it all by yourself. We are so glad you are in Preschool and that you are LOVING it. I hope you continue to LOVE school and learning. Have a great year my BIG BOY!

Bedding Lessons

I've been wanting new bedding for a couple months now. I wanted a change in our room, but I didn't want to paint the walls...so let's change the bedding! I searched, and searched for some that I liked and I found some at Pottery Barn that I thought would work. I took Rob there one night so we could go look and feel the prospects. As I started to pull together all the quits and duvets and pillows that I wanted, I started to add up what it would cost. It was expensive, but not so bad if you thought about all the time we would spend sleeping on it :). I just want to preface this post by saying I am a fiscally responsible person. I know how to save and work within a budget, this purchase was in no means a bank breaker, but it wasn't a little investment either. I was ready to drop the cash and get this bedding and Rob made a comment. Let me also say that Rob hardly ever says anything about how I spend money. He commented that although the bedding was very nice, he simply asked if we really needed it. It got me thinking- no, we didn't NEED it, yes I would like it, but we don't NEED it.

The pictures you see are indeed our new bedding, but it's not the Pottery Barn bedding. Here's the thing, I LOVE our new bedding, not just because it looks good and gave me the change I needed, but because I learned a good lesson. We are so BLESSED to live a comfortable life and although the Pottery Barn bedding was beautiful, I didn't need to spend that much money on it. The money could be used for so many other things. Thank you Rob for your ever so gentle reminder to me of what's important in life and what's not.

Gardening Fruits

Summer means lots of good vegetables at our house. It also means I have to do something with ALL those vegetables. We try and eat as much as we can, then I leave bags full on on neighbors doors and then I try and bottle the rest. This year with a new baby I just don't have as much energy or time for that matter as in years past, but I've managed to get some batches processed. Here are just a couple pictures of the GORGEOUS produce that came up this season.