Silly rabbit, soccer's for kids!

Yesterday Clayton had his second soccer game. Oh my word, I think that it was even funnier than the first game! Those kiddos were cracking me up - I don't remember the last time that I laughed so hard.

Those of you who know me, know that I don't have a competitive bone in my body. I never played a single sport, in fact, I always did my darndest to get out of P.E. I have never cared anything about sports. Until now, that is. I LOVE me some 3 year old soccer! It is 5 v. 5. There is no goalie. They don't keep score. The main goal is just to get the ball to the right end of the field in the correct goal. Now that is my kind of sport. As an added bonus, the kids look stinkin' cute in their uniforms and run off some of their energy.

Apparently, the mother standing to my left didn't feel the same way that I do about preschool soccer. This woman was serious! She literally had her face pressed against the net the entire game, screaming her little lungs out, and pacing. Yes, you heard me right, pacing. What in the world?!?! She was screaming things like, "Defense, T! Defense!" and "Get the ball, son!" I wanted to remind her that these kids are 3 and perhaps she was putting a bit too much pressure on her little guy, but I held my tongue. (It was difficult, but luckily the games are only 40 minutes.)

Anyway, a good time was had by all. :)

My sister came in town this weekend to love on our boys.

Clayton LOVED having her there to cheer him on at his game.

They got their jerseys this week, and the coach had sweatbands made for all of the kids. Doesn't he look so old???? (sniff, sniff)

The kids watching the game intently waiting for their turn

Clayton chose to be #0

A pep talk that I'm sure went a little something like this, "Okay team, which way is the goal? Good job! Break!"
My, is this boy ever dramatic? He even runs with his whole body. :)

Note to self, do not buy soccer shorts with pockets. They are a BIG distraction!

This was one of Clayton's goals. He scored 4 this week!!! He obviously did not get his athletic abilities from his Mama. That's for sure.

Running to give his Mommy & Daddy some high 5's after

a goal. He was so proud of himself! (I wish I had my big lens on the camera - this picture is too grainy to do the moment justice.) A mid-game shoe tying emergency.

My Brain Hurts...

Clayton asks A LOT of questions. Our days are filled with lots of "Why?" "How does this work?" and "What happens when?" I love that he is so inquisitive, but it sure does make my brain tired trying to think of how to answer his questions on an age appropriate level. Some of today's topics were:

* Recycling (Mommy, what happens to the stuff we put in the recycling bin?)
* Cancer (Mommy, when is Ms. T (his preschool teacher) going to come back to school?)
* Agricultural Zoning (Mommy, when Sydney goes to heaven can me and Daddy get a cow?)
* Traffic Laws (Mommy, why is that policeman sitting in the parking lot?)
* Water Treatment Facilities (A conversation that started with Clayton asking about a water tower which progressed into him asking about how they "get all the poop out of the water and make it clean again.")
* And last, but not least, The Holy Trinity (Mommy, how are God and Jesus the same person?)

Tomorrow I'm sure that we will end up discussing a bull market vs. a bear market and the Pythagorean theorem! Better go do some research...

After both boys woke up from their afternoon naps, we went to the park because if I had to answer one more deep question my brain may explode it was a beautiful afternoon. :)

Drew loved basking in the sun...

then he took a nap in his carseat. He was swaddled tight and cozy warm. What a life!

Clayton rode his big wheel to the park and burned off some serious energy (somehow I managed to escape discussing calories and the Kreb's cycle!). :)

Superhero Day & Chewbacca Impression

In the month of January, they have been studying "Superheroes of the Bible" in chapel at Clayton's preschool. Clayton has LOVED this unit, of course. He asks with great enthusiasm about who is the "bad guy" and who is the "good guy" in certain Bible stories (Jonah, Daniel, Noah, Elijah, etc.). As usual, superhero talk is the way to his heart. :)

Today they talked about the Ultimate Superhero, Jesus Christ. All the kids were supposed to dress like superheroes. Clayton was all over that!

Here's a picture of Drew from today, too - just for good measure. :)

Every night after Clayton goes to bed, Wade & I try to spend a little one-on-one time with Drew. Drew loves talking to his Daddy! And Wade, of course, eats that up. :) He started making that noise that Chewbacca from Star Wars makes. Drew started mimicking it. So funny!

Things that I had forgotten...

There are so many things about having a new baby that I had forgotten in the 3 1/2 years between Baby Clayton and Baby Drew. I had forgotten:

1. how quickly you fall in love with your baby. How your heart swells so BIG when you see your baby for the first time, that you feel like you may not be able to contain it within your body. It's amazing how instantly you feel that intense love.

2. the ridiculous amounts of diapers that babies go throw. Holy toledo!!! I once figured out exactly how much diapers cost - roughly 20 cents. Sometimes Drew goes through 3 in a matter of minutes. I try to tell him that he isn't being very "cost effective," but, so far, my scoldings are met with a gummy grin that makes it totally worth the 60 cents that he just cost me.

3. the way that a new baby smells. Seriously, is that not the best scent in the entire universe?!?!? If only there was a way to bottle the "new baby" scent and release it into the atmosphere, I am certain that there would be no more war, no more terrorism, no more fighting. I'm pretty sure that "new baby" scent is the answer to world peace. How can you not feel all warm & fuzzy inside when you smell a new baby's sweet little head?!?!

4. the massive amounts of laundry that babies create. How is it possible that, with clothes so tiny, Drew makes 2-3 loads of laundry a week all by himself??? Between the onesies, the burpies, the socks, the blankets, etc. I feel like our washer and dryer are running nonstop.

5. how razor sharp those tiny little fingernails are. Oh my goodness, those suckers can really scratch you! Drew looks like a prize fighter with all the gashes he has across his little face. Thank goodness for Photoshop, right?

6. that terrifying feeling that you have when you wake up in the middle of the night scared to death that your baby has stopped breathing. Isn't that the worst feeling in the world? I have made a mad dash to the crib to put my hands on Drew's chest just feel him take a few breaths.

7. how you feel that ooey-gooey first love feeling when your baby smiles at you for the first time. That feeling that your child recognizes you and somehow appreciates you giving him life. It makes all the misery of pregnancy worth it.

I love everything about babies.... I love them even more when they are mine. :)

Clayton's first "organized" sport

Today was our first experience with "organized" sports (I use quotation marks because there is really nothing organized about throwing 10 three year-olds out on a field with a soccer ball). Clayton had his very first soccer game! That's right folks, I'm just a minivan away from being a full blown soccer mom. :)

We decided to start Clayton's athletic career (or lack thereof) with soccer. We found an indoor field that had an under 4 soccer league. I have to admit that I was a little sad that Clayton wouldn't be playing outside. I just knew that he would be the kid that spent most of the game picking flowers for his Mama. HA! But, the indoor league means that we don't have to take Drew out in the cold and there are no games that are cancelled for the weather. It is definitely the best option for us right now.

Clayton had his first practice on Thursday and his first game today. So far, he LOVES it! He and Wade have been practicing outside and doing "drills." (Wade bought little orange cones for them to dribble around. What a good Daddy!) Apparently, all of their hard work paid off. Clayton scored 2 goals today! (He was so stinkin' fast that I couldn't capture them on video.) There were several other near goals where he just couldn't quite get the ball into the net.

Here are some pictures and a short video from the game. The lighting was not kind to my camera. I'll try to get better pictutes next week. Also, they had some problems with the jerseys, so Clayton will get his official jersey next week. He, however, was pleased as punch with his plain white tee shirt. He said that it made him look like a stormtrooper. :)

Kicking his second goal

Blocking his teammate. Ooops! :)

He was so excited about his shin guards and cleats.

Video of a goal that he almost had. So close!