Gymnastics

Lauren LOVES gymnastics. We go every Wednesday after we drop Will off at school. We have so much fun together and she's really learning a lot!!! After a warm up we do various obstacle courses. Lauren does a beam obstacle course, a bar obstacle course, and a floor obstacle course. She is the youngest in the class - by about a year. Most of the kids are 2 1/2 to 3 years old. We start out with a little circle time. This is great for Lauren to learn to sit and listen. We do some stretching and a little warm up.
This is Lauren during the floor obstacle course. We work on forward rolls, backward rolls, cartwheels, handstands, and balance. Here, Lauren is working with the teacher on her cartwheel.
This is the balance beam obstacle course. Lauren LOVES to walk on the balance beam. They are supposed to walk forwards, backwards, on tippie toes, etc., but Lauren usually walks forwards. It's hard to get a 19 month old to walk backwards on the balance beam.
During "free time" Lauren wanted to walk on the big girl's balance beam. She walked the entire way without falling and we jumped off at the end.
Our favorite thing.... the trampolines. Lauren really enjoys jumping on the trampolines.

Little Lauren

Will has gone to school 4 times now and Lauren has cried every time. She whines while he's gone and she's starting to drive me a little nuts. Boy, she really loves her big brother! Joe and I talked about it this weekend and we decided to sign her up for a mommy and me class. I did a lot of these with Will, but life is a little busier with two and money is tighter! Will gets to go to preschool and he plays soccer, but Lauren wasn't doing anything. We looked up the three things that 19 month olds can actually participate in - Gymboree, Gymnastics, and Swimming. I did swimming with Will and I have done it some with Lauren, too. I decided to do something different. Gymnastics was cheaper than Gymboree, so Lauren got signed up for Gymnastics today. The session has already started, so I expected to be signing up for the next session (in October), but they pro-rated the price and she starts on Wednesday. I asked the girl what most of the kids wear, and she told me that they wear leotards. I debated this one and called Joe. I figured Lauren would feel very special in a leotard and we went in search for a tiny one. I searched the mall (which was exhausting) and finally called Regina (she has two girls) and asked where one would find a small leotard. She told me about Dance Biz and we found the cutest little gymnastics leotard.

On a Will note, he learned how to write the letter A today. Way to go, Will!!!

Will's first soccer game

Go Will!!!!
Warming up with Coach Jeff.
Meeting the other team and saying a prayer before the game.
Waiting for a kick-off.
Get that ball Will!!!

Will had his first soccer game this morning at 9:00. Nonnie and Tina came to watch!!! That was such a special treat for Will!!! Will did great in his first game. The concept of playing soccer is difficult for a four year old. He got in there a little more than he did at practice, but he still enjoyed hanging back and observing. He was very proud that he didn't fall down. I guess he noticed some of the other kids falling down. He also kicked the ball a couple of times. We are so proud of Will and he is happy about his game. Enjoy the pictures and the videos below.

Soccer Videos

Will's soccer videos - Will is number 5

School Carnival

Will's preschool has a little carnival every year. He was very prepared for it this year and he was really looking forward to going down the bounce house slide. We had a great time seeing Will's friends and teachers (both past and present) and playing the little carnival games. Lauren even had a great time playing the games. It's neat to see how much she can do now. Will going down the bounce house slide.
Will and his buddy Carson.
Will playing golf!
Lauren doing the dinosaur toss.

A Big Day

(Will ready for his first day of school)

Today has been a big day for Will, but I want to mention a little about our weekend first. I drove the kids down to Knoxville this weekend to help Nathan celebrate his 5th birthday. I can't believe Nathan is 5! WOW! The kids did great on the drive up and down - with very little sleeping, but very little whining or crying! We just sang and talked the whole way and I think they even enjoyed it a little bit!

(Will on his way to school with his circle time seat)

Back to today.... Will had his first day of Nursery School (4 year old Preschool). He woke up so excited to go to school and it was hard to calm him down to get him to eat his pancakes this morning! After he got dressed, brushed his teeth, and made his bed, Joe took him off to school. I thought Joe might enjoy taking him this year since he was out of town for his first day last year. Will had a great first day and he learned about patterns today during calendar time. They also sang a silly song about a boa constrictor (Will: "A boa constrictor is a big snake, mommy. It has spots.) and did apple stamping (we all remember the apple painting). The most fascinating thing about the apple painting to a four year old boy was..... "They used a REAL knife to cut the apple!" and "It made a star in the middle!"

(Will with his teacher, Ms. Marsha)
I am so excited about his school year this year. He is required to learn all of his letters and sounds this year (though, he already knows them....) and they are learning sight words, too. He is also working on handwriting through a program called Handwriting without tears. They actually write the letters on paper, but they also make the letters with different shaped pieces, play-doh, magnetic boards (like a magna doodle), etc. This really excites me!!! I just love his little preschool and I am so excited about his year. He learned so much last year and I'm excited to see him learn a ton this year. His school is so organized and well run - it's wonderful. I love to go in there and see how organized everything is.... as a former teacher, I can really appreciate the thought that goes into the program.

(Will hanging out on the field before practice. It was HOT today.)
Another big moment for Will is that he had his first soccer practice today. He loved to play soccer with all the other kids. He is almost the smallest kid on the team. When he gets around all the other 4-5 year olds I realize how little he really is! He learned to kick and run today. He was a member of the pack that followed the ball around the field. He was able to stop the ball from going the opposite direction that his team needed it go and he kicked it in the right direction. Way to go Will!

(Will kicking the ball into the goal)
One of my favorite moments was when a little boy fell down and he stopped and asked him if he was okay. That's my sweet boy! Another great moment was when the littlest boy told his mommy that the other boys were being mean to him and she told him to go stand next to the boy in the yellow shirt because he won't be mean.

(A kicking drill)

(In a team huddle after practice)

(A kicking drill)

Banana Bread

Just wanted to post a cute picture of the kids helping me make banana bread this morning. They each helped put the ingredients in the bowl and they had a great time. Lauren has just started getting interested in helping me cook and bake.Both kids got to flour their own pan. It was fun watching them shake them and get flour everywhere.

Labor Day

Yesterday the Hicks Family came to spend Labor Day with us! We had a great time just hanging out and having fun. Lauren and Heidi are becoming good little friends and Lauren gets so excited to see Heidi! It's fun to watch the girls play baby dolls together. They just play differently than the boys - it's neat to experience a little girl friendship.Heidi and Lauren with their babies. Jackson and Will climbing the furniture. Will had to wear his shades....

Greek Festival

Last weekend we met Nonnie and Tina at the Greek Festival. The kids had a great time eating food and watching the bigger kids play on the attractions. Will and Lauren loved watching the Greek dancers, too. Lauren was dancing in her seat. Lauren loved the green beans (WOW) and will ate a lot of lamb and chicken. We had a great time!Lauren looking cute in her piggies. Will having a time of prayer... well, he's just actually acting silly. He is very difficult to photograph these days.
At the dinner table with Nonnie.