Soccer Star!

Ryan's excited fans gather...
(Uncle Mat came today too, I'm not sure how I missed getting a pic of him!?)

Ryan's coach, Tripp, tries to reinforce to the kids which direction they are trying to head with the ball. Note how Ryan is not paying attention...

Daddy congratulates Ryan on his score...for the other team,
while our little man stops for a water break!

And quite possibly his favorite part of the morning are the drinks/snacks provided after the games. Julia doesn't mind this part either! She scored a donut..thanks, Kristin Pfund! =)

Happy May Day!

Dear neighbors:

I really hate to break the news (really, I do!) that I am not the sweet and organized person that delivered May day treats at 8am this morning. First of all, if the children are awake at that time, I am already frazzled. (I really pull for 8:30 at the very least!) Secondly, I didn't even realize May was already here -- which would have been super helpful had I pulled out my planner to at least have noticed I'd planned two things for us this evening at the same time.

I really love my neighbor Laura for assuming it must have been me!!! Sorry, I so wish it were true! Truth be told, just this week Ryan asked if we could make some Valentines, so..uh, maybe we can deliver May Day treats in um...late June? =)

Breakfast Cuisine

This sweet, innocent face is all a cover-up.

I have gotten my way once again, and am eating
my new favorite breakfast food...

Go figure...second time this week she
has demanded this for breakfast?!!?

And then I look up to see this.
A wonderful way to start the day!

Later this same day, Ry looks at me and says,
"You are driving me CRAZY!"
Likewise, my dear! =)

In a moment of Christmas insanity..wait, I mean, LOVE, my sister Amy gave me a certificate (Advent Conspiracy) redeemable for a 1 night stay for Julia and Ryan @ Uncle Jeff's and Aunt Amy's house. I am sure the rope swing got some great usage during their stay!
We cashed in our certificate this weekend so we could have a fun date night Saturday and go to a Cardinal's baseball game Sunday afternoon with our small group. (Awesome seats, I might add...thank you Bash family! I didn't bring my camera for any photos of the event, but the Bash's say they'll send along a pic when they upload them..probably sometime in the next year. Don't hold your breath! =)).
Amy and Jeff scheduled a playdate with the Noyes family, to Ryan's DELIGHT. He absolutely ADORES these kids. Ok, and he has a not-so-secret crush on Mattie. Aren't they cute? McGrady, Julia, Morgan, Ryan and Mattie.

Say What?!

Since becoming a mom, I have realized we talk much more freely about bodily functions around here. In fact, sometimes I stop and just think "huh? how did we get to here?" Today was one of those days!

When changing Julia's diaper, I said "Julia, do you have diarrea?" because her diaper looked a bit runny. "Dia-rea?" she asked me? "Yup, Jules, that is what I said." Well, she took to the word..."Dia-Reeaa, dia-Reea!" And then continued running around singing her new word for the next hour! Nice!

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For the past few days, Ryan seems to have a small obsession with spitting. Spitting out his drink with a friend and laughing. (not funny). Spitting like crazy when we brush his teeth into the sink. And today I looked over and noticed he was sittingnext to Katy, her back was all wet, and he was wiping his mouth.
"Ry, did you throw up?"
"No."
"Ry, that is disgusting, we do NOT spit in this house. It is rude and disrespectful! Go to time-out RIGHT NOW!"

Then, from the time out chair I hear, "I DON'T CARE!"

Ohhhhh...well, lesson #1 in what not to tell your momma!

So I say "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?"
and he says, "I DON'T CARE!" while in unision Julia says, "Ry said 'I don't care!'"
While I stood there in total shock, Julia walked up to the time out chair, pointed her little finger at him shaking it saying, "Ry, Ry, you are in time out!"
Then she walked away and I can almost swear she rolled her eyes!

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On the way to school this morning, Ryan was naming all the boys in his class he was going to play with. "Charlie, and Gavin and Alex and Cole."
And I said, "Ry, do you ever play with any of the girls in your class?"
And he said, "Yeah, I play with Izzy. But not Ellery. She is mean! She hit me, and I hit her back. I will get her. Bamm. Bamm. Bamm!"
And before I can intercept here, he continues on, "And if I see her at church, I will get her! I will hit her, and I will kill her!"
I decide to jump in here! "Ryan, that isn't nice! Hitting is not nice! And Jesus tells us not to kill!"
Ry gets quiet and then says, "Where?"
"In the Bible!"
Defeated, he says, "Oh. Ok."

Anyone want to visit church with us? We promise not to kill ya! =)

Dress Up

I went to a neighborhood yard sale right down the street from our subdivision and picked up these little costumes for Julia...Ryan didn't want to miss out on the fashion show.

Ryan = Ariel
Julia = Tinkerbell

Daddy totally disapproved....but really, look at those faces!!
$6 well spent!

Note: Julia would have slept in this dress, had we allowed it. I promised her she could wear it again on Saturday when she woke up. The first thing she asked for when I picked her up out of her crib was "Tinkerbell pretty dress." Oh my. Since I am choosing to pick my battles these days, she wore this little gettup to Ry's soccer game. Isn't she lovely?!!?!?

Firefighters

This afternoon my escape artists snuck out the back door. (I have started thinking the backyard fence was the best investment ever!) When I heard the outside water spicket turn on, I peeked out back to find them like this. Julia tells me that they are firefighters, and Ryan tells me they are watering the garden. (Which, by the way, we do not have.)

Whatever they are, they are cute!

Playmates

All is calm on Wisteria Lane aka Fisher Price Grand Dollhouse...

Baby brother is learning how to crawl down the stairs...

Then the "real" big brother decides to come and play...
and the "real" baby sister isn't too happy
about this new playmate messing with her house.

...and so the domestic violence begins. =)

Ryan's Writing Milestones

He's writing his sweet little autograph all by himself now! =)

Prayer Request - Baby Henry

Can you guys please pray for Henry?  He is a sick little guy, and in ICU at St. Louis Children's Hospital tonight.  

My sister Amy and her husband Jeff were on a birthday weekend getaway with Megan and Eddie this past weekend when Meg's mom called her and told her she probably should come home early from their trip.  Things went from bad to worse when they returned.  You can read more about Henry (and his family) here.  

Maybe you could leave Meg a comment and let her know you're praying!

It's Broken

Tonight we decided to torture ourselves go shopping to buy the kids some summer shoes. Jeff told the kids if they were well behaved, meaning we make it through the mall without any major meltdowns and mommy still gets some fairly uninterrupted shopping time, we could go out for shakes.

The behavior was debatable in my opinion, although we still headed to Sonic.

When I handed Julia back her shake, and she tried to take a drink, she made a very frustrated noise and said, "Mommy, my shake is broken!" as she tried unsuccessfully to suck up the thick shake in her straw.

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On another note, Ryan had his second soccer game this morning. I think the score was like 25-1. Our team was the 1. Fortunately, they are all so young and oblivious none of the players seemed to care. Regardless, they are super cute to watch!

My Favorite People

Aunt Kathy and Great Papa sent the kids Easter cards with gift cards to their favorite place EVER to eat = MacDonalds. (And maybe secretly one of mine...I mean, who can turn down those fries without some MAJOR willpower?!) We decided to bring the kids there for dinner earlier this week and let them run around and play. Jeff was encouraging Julia to climb up in the play area, and asked Ryan to help her. As he climbed in the tunnel after her, we could hear him telling her: "Don't be scared, Jew-e-a. Just pray to Jesus and you won't be scared." Apparently, her faith faltered when she got to the VERY top of the playland and had to be rescued by momma. =)

Cutie!

Me: Julia, do you know you are a cutie pie?
Julia: Yea, I am a cutie. Mommy I am a cutie!

i heart the ice cream truck!

Small Groupies

Wednesday nights are fun around our house. For the past few years, we have hosted a small group, mostly of people from our church, to hang out. Alex keeps the kiddos entertained so we adults can have some "real" conversation without so much chaos. The kids have a fantastic time together...here are some of our kiddos with Alex...Madeline, Julia, Jake and Ryan.

Andrew enjoys squeaking Alex's nose.

Julia takes a ride....
only trouble is when she wants me to do this now.
I'm just not as flexible nor young as Alex! =)
Thanks, Alex, for serving us by caring for our kiddos!