Max is playing Basketball!

Max decided in the fall he wanted to play basketball. We signed him up for a skills camp with his buddy next door. It started slowly with one session in December and a big break. None the less, I think Max is really enjoying it. I see so much improvement from the first time he was asked to dribble a ball down the court. Each week they are learning something new, rules, a jump shot, a layup, more dribbling. It's really fantastic to watch. He has fun here too. A couple of his friends from his first grade class are in the session along with Henry.

I'm proud of Max for trying basketball. I hope he continues to enjoy it. It's so fun to watch him play and have fun with sports!

Clair finally gets her chance at sports!

Clair has been watching Mommy coach Ellie in Softball since she was less then 1 year old. She is good at sports and has an inclination for it. She has been asking to play soccer for a while. I finally decided to sign her up for one of those all around sport sessions where she gets a chance to try different sports for a few weeks in a gym in a structured way. We started in a couple of weeks ago.

She only wanted to play soccer when we went the first week. Luckily, we did start there. But she says, "Soccer is hard Mommy." (And I can't help but agree with her)

Luckily, we also did basketball that night. She was really excited about basketball. Max is also playing basketball too and they play it in the basement. She's pretty good at it for a 3 year old. She makes almost all her baskets. She's a tall girl too!

We've had 3 sessions so far and she takes it seriously and has fun too. She did great as tball this past week. She's quite a hitter. She enjoys running with the coach and the other kids. I enjoy the chance to play the sports with her and spend the time together. It's a really nice experience. I'm glad we did it. I think my girl will enjoy sports for many years to come.

A big project accomplished - Kids new swingset

For Christmas, we designed and David built an amazing new swing-set for the kids at the new yard. We tried to think about what would each kid really appreciate the most. We incorporated monkey bars, slide, gymnastic bar, lots of swings and a fun platform swing. David even added a pirates steering wheel at the end. It's been about 2 months in the making. The kids have been patient and excited.

There were squeals of delight when I told them they could go run and play on this! I'm proud of David and excited for the kids. It's great to have this as an anchor as we build out the new back yard.

Happy Girls and boys !

Taking Mommy too seriously

I've been a bit slack on the return of approval to participate in this year's valentines day party. My delay was merely limited by getting a hold of the 6 one dollar bills needed to pay their way. None the less, as the kids started to pressure me about this, I decided to joke with them that I wasn't going to approve their participation this year.  I thought of course they knew I was joking, as there's no reason not to participate. Apparently, however, Max thought I was serious. He asked his teacher what happens if my Mommy won't approve me participating. He came home from school all upset that he would have to spend the time sitting in the office. He was distraught.

Poor boy, I need to joke with them more often. This is my mommy lesson learned!

Clair's fear of death

A couple times a month Clair will come out with some deep statements showing she's so worried about dying. I'm really not sure where this comes from; perhaps after dealing with my Grandpa's death.

Yesterday at breakfast she proclaims to her brother and sister, "When Mommy and Daddy die, Max and Ellie, you will take care of me, right?"

Max and Ellie were both shocked by this and taken back.

I quickly stepped in to remind them all they would be very old grown ups before this happened. Clair still wanted assurance from Max and Ellie they would take care of her, tears welling up in her eyes.

I gave her a big hug and told them all to always take care of each other and quickly tried to change the subject.  Poor girl, I wish she didn't worry about this so much.

Hanging out with Ellie

I try to spend time with each kid doing special things. I had this idea that we should do date nights with each kid. I have been doing okay with it I guess. I wish David was able to find more one on one time with each kid. I hope that gets easier soon for him.

Tonight Ellie and I went out with a plan to paint a water and food bowl at the pottery place for Lady Grey. We also managed to sneak in some frozen yogurt and quick shopping for socks. It was a nice evening.

The painting was most of the evening. Ellie decided to take on the water bowl and attempt to paint a dolphin swimming in water. That is hard and takes lots of details. She was mostly patient and only a little frustrated once. She loves art and it's fun to watch her design and use colors.

My bowl was fun. I enjoy the relaxation of creating things as well. I look forward to picking them up in a couple weeks and having them as a reminder of time together always.

We chatted some about school and life, but mostly focused on our art. I hope we managed to do this more often. She's an awesome girl with a kind heart who wants to do good in the world. I love my Ellie Grey!

Oh Peppa

Clair is fascinated with Peppa Pig these days. It's really amazing. She watches Peppa and she plays Peppa all the time in her doll house, zoo, barn and make believe. I'm not sure what it is she loves about Peppa, but she loves it.

I'm sitting here watching her admire and enjoy the show on TV. She is obsessed. She watches the same 12 episodes daily! Luckily they are quite short. It's a bit much TV time in my opinion. But she surely is persistent!

I just asked Clair why she likes Peppa pig. She responded by saying exactly what they are doing on the show at this very moment. That they go to the Dentist. That Peppa says, "Waiting is boring" So, apparently, she's very in the moment with Peppa. Oh to be 3!