Down...Set...Hike

We finally took the plunge and enrolled the boys in sports. We've wanted too (if you know anything about Ryan, you would know why) for a while, but either wasn't living in a place that had organized sports, or we didn't have a second car to get them to and from practices. The planets must have aligned because we just so happen to be in the right place with a vehicle. We jumped at the first sport available. It just so happened to be football. Gulp. Kind of a big one to start with, don't you think? I would have liked to start with soccer or t-ball or something. But football it is. Can I just tell you how HUGE football is here in Texas? They practice 4 days a week for two hours a night. Is that normal? But as I'm sitting there at practices, I'm quite impressed with the coaching and all the drills that they are running with the kids. They are very organized and I hope and pray that the boys are having fun...Most of the kids on their team have at least one or two years worth of experience already under their belts. Crazy!

Here are some pictures of the boys messing around with Dad in the backyard.

Tell me again why I sit outside in 100 degree weather and watch my boys get pummled every night??? All for the sake of their manhood right? Future BYU players maybe? Oh well. They enjoy it.

Hair Cuts

I decided that Abby needed a hair cut. I'd never cut her hair, minus her bangs, and it was getting VERY long. And almost straggly. (Is that a word?) I figured that I could cut it myself. I think I'm fairly handy and resourceful...and since I was only cutting straight across her back, I figured I could manage. I think it turned out great. I took off quite a few inches. So now it's more manageable and hopefully won't get so tangled.

BEFORE

AFTER

Of course, we had the big talk about only Mommy is allowed to cut her hair. She's already cut a few pieces of her hair, luckily they blended in so you couldn't tell! It looks like she's happy and I'm happy so I think this little experiment went well.

Baby Steps

Kaden just turned 11 months yesterday and is celebrating by trying to walk. He actually does quite well just standing there keeping his balance. But the big news is that he's up to two steps! Usually after one step he falls down, but last night he took two. What a big boy! I'm guessing that by his birthday, he'll be all over the place.

This time I'm really stuck

Ok, I'll admit it. In my last post, Kaden wasn't really stuck. He eventually figured out how to duck his head under the crib bar and crawl out. However today, while grocery shopping, he really did get stuck. In the cart. You know where the two holes are for your legs to dangle out? Well, he somehow got one foot stuck into the tiny slot next to the big slot and let me tell you I couldn't get his little foot out. How he got it in there in the first place is a mystery. I twisted and pulled, slid his little leg up and down trying to get it out. Kaden didn't like it. He screamed. Great. Of course my first thoughts are that I need something slippery. Oil, butter. I presented my problem to the Wal-mart greeter and he suggested soap. Well duh! Why didn't I think of that? I wheeled my cart into the women's bathroom. I got several funny looks from people because you're not supposed to bring the cart into the restroom...of course I knew this and I asked first because I'm such a rule follower... But the soap did the trick. His footed slipped right out. Gee, what would I have done had it not come out? Would they have had to get bolt cutters and snap the bars? Not sure! But really, how often do babies get their legs stuck in the carts? Maybe I should file a complaint! :-)

Help

Help me Mommy. I'm stuck!

Yep, I lost Kaden there for a few minutes. I always check the bathroom first when it gets too quiet. I hadn't thought to look under the crib. I guess that'll get added to the list of places that Kaden likes to hide.

Pure Joy

Can I just express how much I love the internet. I was able to renew my car registration on-line! It was fabulous. I didn't have to make the 1/2 hour trip into Denton and I didn't have to bring along 4 cranky kids to wait in a long line just to pick up a stupid little sticker...Important little sticker. That sticker cost me 120 dollars a while back because I didn't have a current one. What? Little Mary breaking the law by not having her car registration up to date? Yes, unfortunately it's true. Long story short, I didn't realize it was over due...but the police man noticed. Since then, I've been very careful. Enough so that I'm (although a little grudgingly) willing to pay the registration for the measly two more months that we'll be here. Don't want to risk another run in with the law.

But all in all, I was able to pay for my little sticker in my PJ's and life is good! Pure Joy!

The Big 3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ABBY!

We made it past the terrible 2's! And onto the wretched 3's. Oh wait. There isn't such a thing! Good thing too because Abby's just a sweet little thing...most of the time. :-) She had a wonderful birthday. Complete with "brown cake" aka chocolate frosting and chocolate ice cream. (I wonder where is learned to like that kind of stuff), a plethora of presents, going out to eat and plenty of attention. I think she was in heaven.

Daddy got tuckered out during all the festivities. How is it even possible that he can sleep right there on that hard floor? Not sure, but he does it all the time.

Princess Abby

Abby sporting her new crown that she got. She has yet to put on her dress-up princess dress that we bought her. I thought that she would like that the best. That and the Barbie. She's not quite sure what to do with that either. Can you tell she's grown up with all boys. I guess I have my work cut out for me.

Some of Abby's favorite things:
*Playing "fighting" with the boys
*Watching Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go and (gulp) Sponge Bob Square Pants
*Coloring (walls and herself included)
*Singing and dancing
*Reading stories with Mom and reading stories to Kaden
*Eating chocolate. Hmmm.

Thanks for all the calls and gifts that made Abby's day so special.