Unicorns, Tigers, & Tsunami's . . . Oh My!!!

Amazingly, Fall Soccer began last Saturday for our family.  With the addition of one Madeline Grace Brooks to the Four Year Old roster, we have to be fed, dressed, and on the soccer field by 9:00 a.m.-- woo hoo!

Hannah has enjoyed two weeks of practice with her new team, the Unicorns, and Coach Wayne.  He seems to be an awesome coach with tons of enthusiasm; and, Hannah has really learned a lot in three short practices.  The Unicorns played the Tigers in their first game on Saturday.  Hannah is back on the field (out of the goal), and Coach Wayne is even using her as a forward (in addition to playing defense). But, our Hannah is a defender and team player through and through.  She loves to boot the ball; and, she loves to find a good pass in order to set another team member up for a goal.

The Four Year Old Soccer Program began with an orientation/meet your coach and practice this past Saturday.  Madeline was delighted to meet her coach (Coach Joey) and the rest of her teammates (boys and girls)--officially called the Tsunami.  She was also beside herself to find that her jersey was blue!  She immediately donned her jersey and dove right into practice.  Boo Bear's first game (30 minute scrimmage) will be this coming Saturday (the four year olds practice for 30 minutes and play for 30 minutes each Saturday).

It's A . . . .?

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Shocked though we may be . . . we are all, of course, very excited.  We were especially happy to see and hear that baby and mommy are very healthy and doing well.  I am measuring right at 17 weeks, so February 22nd is still the "guess date" for Baby Boy's approximate arrival.

As they say . . . a picture is worth a thousand words.  And, I would have to say that this ultrasound pic looks quite different than what we are accustomed to!

 


Thanking God for a healthy baby and praying that He continues to bless this pregnancy!


Be sure to check out my post from earlier today below -- I am trying desperately to recap the summer so we can move forward.

Annual Summer Vacation To Grammy's House; Fish!

These are our three little cuties:  Madeline (4.5), Emerson (22 months), and Hannah (6.5).  Collectively, they are FISH!!!!  Between swimming lessons, our annual summer trip to Grammy's house, and playing with friends at the pool, we spend most of our summer break in the water.  My girls could not be happier!  They love swimming.  

Emerson, who is completely fearless when it comes to water (. . . or climbing tall ladders, or jumping off of high objects, or swinging from things, etc.) reminds me of Hannah at the same age.  She doesn't want you to catch her (because, naturally, she thinks she can swim); and, she never tires of jumping in and "swimming" underwater. Being at the pool with Emerson requires constant vigilance and completely wears me out!


During our visit to Grammy's house, Hannah decided to brave the "high dive" (that's 3 meters or 9.8 feet).  I have jumped off this very board more times than I can count; but, watching my baby climb the never ending ladder and carefully walk to the end of the board sent my stomach into my throat.  The first jump was a little timid.  However, there were countless successive jumps--each with a little more gusto!

Madeline, who conquered the huge twisty slide last year, decided it was time to take on the 1 meter diving board.  This meant she had to jump in and swim to the side all by herself (parents aren't allowed to swim out and meet their kiddos--though Daddy is always on the side ready to spring into action).  She was a pro!

Here are some more photos of my fish at play:

"Grammy Cam" photos:

Annual Summer Vacation To Grammy's House; Chopping The Hair

My Mom was an art teacher. When my sister and I came along, she made the decision to stay home with us. Now, she is a hairstylist-- this career choice saves me loads of money! Thanks Mom!!! We get regular trims, but it has become a fairly annual tradition for us ladies (me, Hannah, and Madeline) to have Grammy lop off our lovely, long locks each summer. We may have stringy, thin, lifeless hair; but, it sure does grow fast! Anyhow, it had actually been two years for me-- the longest I think I've ever gone without a short hairdo.  I was able to send somewhere between 10-11 inches of my hair to Locks of Love, so I was super excited.  Mom said that she thinks she actually cut around 14 inches off my hair.  I had no idea my hair had gotten so long . . . easy there Rapunzel!

Annual Summer Vacation To Grammy's House; Stretching Our Legs & First Pool Day

In June we took our annual summer trip to my Mom's house in Florida.  Sadly, my sister returned from Florida yesterday and has already posted. Shamed thought I am, thus begins the recap of our visit to Grammy's . . . 3 months late.

After the rather lengthy car ride, the girls are always anxious to stretch their legs.  Grammy always has fun outdoor "tivities" (as Madeline calls them) ready for the girls' enjoyment.

We were blessed with a super sunny week during our stay in Florida.   Most of the week was spent frequenting the pools in Mom's development.  Our first pool day was spent at the Waterfront Park-- a kid centered pool with tons of sprinklers and fountains.  I remember life guarding at the Waterfront Park as a college student and thinking it would be so much fun to play with my own future children there . . . now I can tell you, IT IS!!!

Let The Games Begin!

The girls had a lot of fun cheering for the first Carolina game of the season.  They donned their Carolina cheerleading uniforms (a gift from Poppy and GiGi) and cheered the Gamecocks to victory . . . well, it was more like cheered the Gamecocks to half time--then it was off to bed.  But, they were very excited to hear of the Gamecock victory the next morning!