GO Rocketdogs!

About a month ago a few of the moms Anderson's friends in his playgroup decided it would be fun for them all to play on the same soccer team.  So, we signed them up through the Plano Soccer Association into the 3/4 preschool league.  It's simple in theory: 10 kiddos on the team, 4 kids on the field (per team) at a time, four 8-minute periods, no score keeping, no refs, etc.  Pretty much just all the kids run after the ball, kick at it, trip over each other, fall down a few times here and there, cry, make it in the right or wrong goal, cry some more, you get the idea.  It's been HILARIOUS to watch.

It took some coaxing to get Anderson excited about it all.  He wasn't ever really exposed to soccer so it wasn't something that he came to us begging to play.  We instead had to sell the idea to him. You know, the cool shin guards, cool spiked shoes, bright blue ball, special energy snacks, team cheers, water bottles, cones- the whole nine yards.

Oh, did I mention that somehow Reese was roped into glad to step up as the assistant coach for the team?  So, now we're just one big happy soccer family!  I even made Everett his own little soccer brother shirt.  Wonder if we should just go ahead and check out the minivans this weekend?

Anderson trying on all of his new gear!

Having a water break with two of his friends at practice.

Organized Chaos

Pregame Team Cheer

Soccer Brother!

First Game- Anderson's First Kick!

First team picture- (team jerseys weren't ready yet!)

Go Rocketdogs!  

Looking like a pro, Anderson!

Game 2

Go #9!

So, overall this is going well.  There has been minimal tears on Anderson's part.  Only a few from the coaches.  Just kidding.  ;)  Anderson hasn't scored a goal yet on his own, but we'll keep you posted!  It's sure to happen soon.  

Swimming Lessons!

Anderson has been taking lessons at Emler Swim School since the beginning of this past summer.  He has come SO far in such a short amount of time.  He's gone from basically knowing nothing about swimming, going under water, etc. to being able to jump in and swim across a 15ft pool and hold his breath for 8 seconds.  It's been amazing to see the transformation.  So much so that we really didn't even hesitate to go ahead and sign Everett up for classes when this fall session started.  We had done some 'Mommy & Me' swimming classes at the local rec center when Anderson was a baby.  But, we never saw and results.  Emler Swim School is like magic.  Seriously.  They already have Everett (at 16 months old) going under water for 4 seconds.  Watching Everett swim with Reese today in his class was just awesome.  He dives in to Reese and with assistance, goes underwater and instinctively paddles with his arms.  We really should've started Anderson at Emler earlier!

So, here are some pictures of the boys at today's lessons.

This boy LOVES the water!

Getting ready to jump in the water!

Where's Everett?!

There he is! He swam underwater to Daddy!

Again!  Again!

At the end of class they all get a turn on the red circle during the "goodbye song".  Everett HATES getting on it.  So, here's Everett diving OFF the red circle as fast as he could.

Anderson waiting patiently for his turn.

Practicing his moves.

And he's off!

Going....going...

Air!!

Going to give the goggles a shot to see if they help him keep his head under longer!

Made it a little farther!

Park Fun

The past few days have been considerably cooler outside so we've spent lots of time at various parks nearby.  Anderson loves climbing, exploring, finding treasures and swinging.  Everett enjoys following Big Bro around and trying his best to do exactly what he does.

 Peek-a-boo!

I see you too!

Here are a few videos of our fun, including our adventures right before we got caught in the down-pouring rain!

Yesterday after picking the boys up from playschool, we stopped by another park for some climbing, running and races on the slides.  The boys had lots of fun and the weather was so nice!

Everett trying desperately to keep up with Anderson.

 

    

It's Time For the Flip-Locks

I was in the kitchen this morning doing last minute prep for taking the boys to school when a determined Everett set to work rearranging and pushing the kitchen chair.  I watched him and caught on to his wise moves quickly, but was still shocked that he was actually following through with this new plan.  At 16 months old Everett was trying to unlock the door.  Something Anderson has barely even had the need or desire to do at age 3 1/2.

Busted by Mom.

And to show you in pictures the difference in my two sweet boys....  When Anderson saw me taking pictures, he had no interest in his brother's mischief I was documenting.  He simply wanted me to take a picture of him.  Everett was pleased with that because he could get back to work on figuring out the silly turny-thing on the door.

BTW, Flip-locks are those locks that go up high on the frame of the door that you flip over so that the door can't be opened by short people.  We'll be getting some of those this weekend.

First Day of School Pictures

Here are the belated pictures of Everett & Anderson on their first day of preschool.

I failed miserably at getting a shot of the two of them together. 

Anderson smiled happily to show off his fancy rolling Cars backpack (which he calls his suitcase because up to this point he's only ever used it when we've traveled on airplanes).

Everett's only workable shot came when an airplane flew over the house. (He loves when this happens!)

Here's Anderson with one of his teachers, Ms. Melissa. 

Both boys had wonderful first days and continue to do great in their classes.  Anderson comes home daily telling us about the stories they hear and the things they do in the computer lab, chapel class, etc.  Everett goes in happily to his teachers each time and they tell me that he's such an easy-going guy.  Hooray for the start of a great year!

Hmmmm....

Who's the smarter brother in this picture?

He actually contrived this whole set-up on his own.  Big Bro got it out to use, but Little Bro snatched it up as Anderson quickly lost interest.  I was highly impressed with Everett's coordination in holding the umbrella and pressing the little button to drive his car at the same time!

A "Donut" for My Buddy's First Day

Tomorrow is the first of preschool for the year for Anderson.  I'm excited to get back into the swing of making fun lunches again (I even reorganized one drawer in my kitchen to hold all of my fun shaped cutters, bento containers, picks, cups, dividers, etc ~ why this excites me, who knows).  A few days ago I spotted this linky-do to another Mommy-blog (via one of my favs: eighteen25).  So, while I can't take credit for this awesome lunch idea, I love the way it turned out.

Anderson LOVES donuts.  They are a rare treat around here- maybe once every two months on a Saturday morning whenever Mommy Anderson can convince Daddy to make a trip to the donut shop.  However, Anderson (with his keen sense of direction that he received as a blessing from his Mommy) zeros in on the donut shop every time we drive past it in the car.  Even though he's only been inside two, maybe three times- ever, he knows the yummy goodness that comes from within.

So, as soon as I saw this cute idea for lunch, I knew I had to make it for Anderson's first day of preschool.

How?  Whole-wheat, 100-cal, blueberry bagel-thin filled with light cream cheese.  I used my various sizes of biscuit cutters to make it more "donut" shaped, although a bagel is pretty similar to begin with.  Then, I dabbed tiny dots of honey on the outside with my finger and put on some sprinkles.  SO easy.  Anderson was  SO excited when I showed it to him.

The rest of his lunch?  Raisins, yogurt-drops, gluten-free pretzel sticks (which are pretty yummy!) oranges and blueberries.  I layered everything so that once the lid was on, the "donut" stayed nice and snug.  What didn't make the picture was the Hershey Kiss that I snuck in when Anderson wasn't looking. I always like to surprise him with a sweet treat like a hidden Jelly Bean or chocolate.  <3

Snap on the lid and put on a sweet note for the teachers to read for him.  :)

And, of course, Little Bro gets in on the action too.  He gets the same lunch just modified for the teeth-impaired.  Bagel + cream cheese diced, pretzel sticks, diced fruit, yogurt drops with graham crackers, and a fav~ edamame.