Summer...in October

Before the posts arrive with pumpkins, sweaters, turkeys and eventually snow, there's a bit more water fun to document!  Yep, one of the hottest summers on record here in TX just sort of continues on bit by bit.  Even today, the boys played outside in the water for maybe the last time of the year.  Over the past few weeks, we've hit up lots of splash parks.  It's funny how at the end of September I actually began receiving compliments on my tan!  The boys love the splash parks and Mommy enjoys being able to supervise from the sidelines and cool off in the mists as needed.  I really feel like we got an extra 'bonus' summer here at the end with all of the warm weather and water fun that we've had lately!

 

 (yes, we repeatedly told him NOT to drink the water)

Everett loves this fire hydrant!

 They actually sat here on their own.

There's no way they would've cooperated if I had wanted to take a picture of them both sitting still on these benches at the same time.

This picture makes my heart smile.  

Everett just runs along after Anderson wanting to do exactly what he's doing.  

Happy Birthday Riley!

Five years ago Reese got me what I still say is one of the best birthday presents I have ever received: a sweet ball of fur we named Riley.  She was so tiny when we picked her up from a breeder at a parking lot in East Texas.  We were terrified as we drove her home!  It's funny as I look back at the pictures I have of her from when we picked her up.  She was wrapped up in a baby's receiving blanket and it's funny how similar pictures I have of me holding Riley in those first moments resemble future pictures of me holding my own newborn children!

So, on September 28th we celebrated Riley turning 5 years old.  Anderson was thrilled to know that there was a family member's birthday to celebrate.  He spent the day telling her Happy Birthday and singing to her over and over.  We decided to bake her some special dog treats!  (Just 5 ingredients: whole wheat flour, peanut butter, milk, baking powder, and oatmeal. Bake ~15 minutes)

Anderson & Everett checking out the mixer for the first time up close.

Two determined doggy-treat chefs at work.

Everett is watching and learning!

"Stay back, Everett.  Don't put your hand in that."

Anderson loved rolling out the doggy dough.

Riley's doggy-shaped cookies ready to go in the oven!

Here's a video of Anderson & Everett giving Riley her first taste of her special treats:

And of course, Riley had to receive a present.  :)

(and if you listen closely near the end @ ~48 seconds ....you can hear Everett repeat after me saying Happy Birthday.  He says "Ha-Da-Da")  That's some good progress for him!  Yeah, Everett!

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!