Flower child

Big day today, with the official start of Michael's journey into organized sports.
For so many years (okay, like three), it has always been Jason's activities. Today, it was Michael's turn.
He has been wanting to play soccer for several months, and today, couldn't wait for his first practice and game. I think I even pulled him out of a tantrum mid-scream to remind him we were heading to the soccer fields.

The practice was a lot of fun. Michael was very into the action. He dribbled the ball, and kicked it into the goal, just like the other kids. Here he is, deep in concentration before a kick.



Then a funny thing happened when the referee blew the whistle. He started to notice how beautiful it was outside. And, while I've never seen him pick a flower before, nor have I ever seen him hold it up to his nose to take in its scent, I saw it today. On the soccer field.



He was enthralled with the flora surrounding him. Actually, they would be weeds, but he didn't care. He even gathered some friends to pick flowers with him. All of us parents of those flower children were screaming, "Run after the ball! RUN AFTER THE BALL! PUT DOWN THE FLOWERS! THE BALL IS OVER THERE!"

Mercifully, Michael started to get the hang of it and the screaming on our parts subsided a bit.

Until next week.

This day was all about sports. Before Michael's game, we had pictures for Jason's team. The Atlanta Braves. Doug is one of the coaches, and both of course are thrilled to be a part of such a great organization. :)




We're dreaming big here. Hope you have a great weekend!

What a busy week--ok, a busy year! But, all is good and the baby is now 11 months old.
Time does fly.



He is inching along, not crawling, but getting up on all fours as if he were mentally getting ready for the next step. He gets around by pushing himself forward with his hands. Somehow his legs follow. He's getting faster, to my dismay. Already, this one moves more and puts more things in his mouth.

I'm going to have to start making lists of milestones, because, as I realized trying to put together a timeline leading up to Michael's birthday celebration at school, I have written down nothing. And I can't remember a thing.

So--at 11 months old, Joshua is eating just about anything. We have jarred food because it's convenient, and he'll tolerate squished up sweet potatoes and carrots, loves bananas, applesauce, and peaches. But, good luck getting the peas and green beans inside him. He would much rather have the real thing. He enjoys salmon and rice, steak and pasta, pizza and all kinds of bread. We're about to start the switch to whole milk.

This baby does know what he wants. He is highly pleasant; Miss Mary and Miss Anne tell me how much they adore him. But, if you get in between him and his food, he is not happy. He grunts his displeasure.

Doug says we need to start thinking about getting him a haircut.

Look at him. Really?



Jason and Michael, meanwhile, I think, are happy to have each other. They fight constantly, but more often than not, they are playing together and learning from each other.

Jason is playing T-ball once again. He's an Atlanta Brave for this season. He is more than excited, especially since Tommy is also on his team. They are so close I have to ask the coach to separate the two during practice!

And, Michael is about to start soccer. I reminded him of our start time tomorrow, and you know what he said? You can tell where his mind is. "Oh, that's good. That means I can have my own snack."

It is traumatic for Michael during Jason's practices when big brother gets snacks and he doesn't.

No one really takes a nap at our house anymore, with the exception of Baby Joshua. But sometimes, just sometimes, I need to lay down for a few winks. And, the boys, so sweet, will say, "Ok, Mommy, come lie down on my lap."

Of course, then they want to know what they can watch: Star Wars or Super Why?

At that point, it doesn't matter to me!

Birthday boy

Michael turns 4 years old today!
We can't believe it.

What's really special for him is that we can celebrate with his friends on the same day as his actual birthday.

We started the day off on the right note.
For days, Jason has been talking about getting Michael a present.
This morning, before t-ball practice, he said it again.
"I have to get Michael a birthday present."
So, he pulled out his wallet, took out some money, and off to Target he and Daddy went.



He presented Michael with a much-appreciated Star Wars toy, in a pretty touching little encounter. An "awww" moment for sure.



We were happy to have Amah and Akong with us to ring in Michael's newest milestone.
He has been adamant that we have the celebration at Kangaroo Jacs. No wavering on this one.

Can't figure it out, either. He doesn't enjoy it all that much when we go there for fun, but he was very sure he wanted to have his party there.



Many of Michael's classmates at school came to bounce. Including Michael's "girlfriend."



That's right. "Girlfriend." Miss Dawn has been telling me that Michael's verbal skills have really opened up recently. He apparently flits from group to group at school, and that includes a cute little girl named Jorah. I can't believe he did this, but he wrapped his arms around her for this picture! She's the one wearing black.



Michael truly wanted to make his day his own. He didn't want a cake, he wanted cupcakes, made my me. He helped in the kitchen and loved every minute of it!






We thank all of our friends and family for coming to celebrate Michael's special day!

Look down!

We're not there yet, but we're one step closer to new floors!
And, look, the baby is enjoying the slippery surface.



We moved to another surface for snack today. The kitchen.



All the boys enjoyed saltines (or actually, Kroger's generic version of saltines). They even commented they thought Joshua was too cute putting the crackers in his mouth.



See?

On the move

A huge undertaking is underway at the house.
We (meaning Doug) are replacing our nasty carpet with new floors.

The baby is certainly enjoying the surface. It makes it easier to move.

And, how about this?
I came in to pick up the baby from a nap two days ago, and there he was, sitting up!

I think an end of an era has arrived.
Our little man is beginning to move.

Questions

I believe the days of pretty smiles are over.



At least they all stayed within the frame.
Even during our impromptu photo shoot, the questions from them are non-stop.
"How long do we have to sit here?"
"Can we watch a movie?"
"Where are we going?"
"Can I have a Girl Scout Cookie? How about a chocolate-covered raisin?"

Meanwhile, we have questions of our own.
Like how Jason can always find money, always, in those candy, gumball, and toy machines, in restaurants, and stores?

Here he is helping Joshua get a good workout.

The baby is beginning to babble, by the way.
What is he trying to say when he says bie, bie, bie, then makes this gutteral sound as if he were clearing his throat?





Michael, too, is full of questions. Always wants to know what's next for snack.

Even though they always seem to be talking, apparently, they're listening as well.

The other day I heard Jason bargaining with Michael. "If you let me watch Kung Fu Panda, then I'll give you all my toys."

Then, I heard Michael say to his big brother, at another time. "Stop whining. You're a big boy."

All smiles

The last couple of weeks have been filled with lots of good times with friends.

We've all gotten into the Guitar Hero craze, thanks to Uncle Tim. The other week we had a friendly competition with neighbors.



We've been enjoying (finally!) some warmer weather after a nasty cold spurt, and the park, of course, is the place to be when the sun comes out.



Michael does his own thing and is right now fascinated with the circular bars.
I thought this was so cute. Jason was "spotting" Tommy on the monkey bars.




The baby just soaks it all in.




Lately, we've noticed him noticing that he can't do as much as his big brothers. He wants to eat when they're eating, he wants to move when they do. But, for the most part that desire hasn't propelled him to walking or even crawling.

However, Baby 'Oshie is finally catching up on the tooth-growing. In addition to the bottom two teeth, four more are growing up top. And that makes for a pretty cranky baby!

Say Cheese!

Go fish

We're trying to fatten up the baby, and expanding his horizons at the same time.



As you can see, he is enjoying the salmon we served yesterday.