Soccer Camp

Well, since Toddler Soccer went so well, we decided to try British Soccer Camp, which was every morning for an hour for a whole week. The determining factors for Brek were a) he got his own real soccer ball and b) he got a t-shirt, which he thinks is a soccer jersey, so giving up his jersey from the Y was ok.

His coach was Coach Matt, who, of all the coaches, had the thickest accent and spoke the fastest. We thought it was quite comical that they gave the hardest-to-understand coach to the youngest kids, but hey, we got through it. Ironically, whenever the kids tried to call him Coach Matt, it sounded like "Coach Mutt."

The biggest thing that Brek learned was about "small kicks" instead of huge ones across the whole field. He definitely has learned to have more control of the ball.

They played lots of different games and that made it a lot of fun. (Tho Brek still had a hard time understanding why they didn't get to kick the ball into the big goals the whole time.)

According toe Brek, falling on the ground is an important part of soccer.

At the very end of the week, Coach Matt presented each kid with a certificate and he wrote a personal note about his experience working with each child.

Coach Matt's note to Brek said: Brek is one of the happiest kids I have ever coached. Such a keen young soccer player who is already showing a lot of potential. I really hope Brek continues with soccer when he grows up. Well done!

My Sister's 30th Birthday Texts

I wanted to remember the texts my sister sent to me when I turned 30:


HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!! I love you! Throughout the day you will receive 30 texts of reasons you are awesome. From me. :)

30 things about you that are awesome, here is numero uno:
#1: Your smile spreads happiness.
#2: Your ugly cry is the most sincere expression of true faith and true emotion.
#3: You have an ugly cry. :)
#4: You love people with all your heart.
#5: You value and treasure your friendships.
#6: You are a great listener when I'm talking your ear off.
#7: You are smart, and smart about things that I'm not, or that I wouldn't think you are knowledgeable about, (like financial stuff).
#8: You're financially responsible - way more than me!
#9: It's no secret when you are angry.
#10: You took on the calling of motherhood before you were ever a mother, loving unconditionally other people's children.
#11: You sincerely share in others' joys and sorrows.
#12: You make some fantastic aprons.
#13: You have some crafty talents (see #12, cross stitching).
#14: You sweat in some odd places (which isn't unique because lots of women do), but you deal with it gracefully and vocally.
#15: You have been to and lived in Russia - holy cow!
#16: You are great at planning fun activities for your own family and for other family/friend get togethers.
#17: You truly and fully forgive me, (not always immediately, but when you take your time to forgive me, that is when I know I'm completely forgiven).
#18: You like animals - specifically mine - (but I think you like them more than you admit to).
#19: You are pretty great at agreeing with me ... and validating me when I am venting for whatever reason.
#20: You make some really delicious foods (but only few of which I've had the privilege of enjoying, sadly).
#21: You introduced me to some new foods (you deserve credit for mine AND Dustin's like for hummus, but you also get credit for our dislike of cauliflower mashed potatoes) :)
#22: You really try your best at everything you do - you may not always succeed, or feel you have succeeded, but you put your whole heart into anything you do.
#23: You break out into a rash when you're up in front of people, and that's awesome because when I notice that on other people, I think of you and miss you.
#24: You are more concerned about others than yourself. I have noticed that most when others suffer physically, the pain you deal with doesn't matter to you.
#25: You are not afraid to challenge yourself - like when you did the Bridgeport triathlon. Total respect here.
#26: You can sing in bass clef. Dude, I can't do that. Awesome.
#27: You are patient. Don't smirk, it's true. You wait out the tough times humbly, hopeful, and frugally.
#28: You are still young at heart, finding joy in jumping waves at the beach, craving Disneyland rides, and enjoying silly sitcoms on the Disney channel.
#29: We can talk about just anything (hairy boobs and itchy vaginas) while about doing just anything (taking a dump in a church bathroom and having the lights turned out on you).

Aaaaaaaannnd #30: So as I have been thinking all day about all the reasons you are awesome, nothing can beat out just how much of the space in my heart you fill. How so much of who I am is because of you. You have transformed me and inspired me to be my best self, and you do that to everyone you involve in your life. Don't thank me for the sappy dialogue, you're welcome.

So there you have it. 30 reasons why you are awesome. You can now officially be 30.

Oh but wait, I have to make a subtraction.
-1: Eating nutella on a banana is not your favorite way to eat nutella. So I guess you will just be 29 again. :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAREST SISTER!!

Mother's Day 2014

This first picture is blurry of me, but cute of him. The rest are cute and sweet. Trying to enjoy the motherhood moments.

Toddler Fashion

Brek has reached the age of dressing himself. The pictures can speak for themselves.

April

Putting Brek in soccer got him REALLY into soccer. So we spent many weekends and afternoons at the park.

I love this shot of him:

 And this action shot is just awesome!

One day we were there and as we were getting ready to leave he jumped over the edging of the play area and as he put it, "he did it wrong" and landed on his face. Showing off the owie:

And Easter: We dyed Easter eggs for the first time. I actually made the dyes myself with vinegar and food coloring. Pretty happy with how they turned out. Brek learned that it really isn't that exciting to just let eggs sit in a glass.

We let him hold one for the picture. I'm surprised he didn't pick green because he has definitely declared that to be his favorite color. He enjoyed finding them around the house the next morning.

Soccer

We put Brek in "Biddy Soccer" at the YMCA. He was #4 on Team Marshall.

Week 1:

The boy to the right is Parker, from his Primary class.

Taking a shot:

Each "game day" had about 15-20 minutes of team practice, and then a little match between another team. The first opposing team was rather aggressive.

 Week 2: Lining up with the other team.

He eventually found his own team.

Team huddle

Week 3:

Can't experience Toddler soccer without playing IN the net:

During the "game" of Week 3, Brek and coach's son Behr became really good friends. They spent the majority of the game playing on the bumpers, falling on the ground, and telling each other "to get the ball." (Tho neither one of them actually went to get the ball, even when it passed close to them. They were in their own little world and it was hilarious to watch.) They had fun, so that is what is important.

Running and sliding into the bumpers was also a favorite past time.

I apparently didn't take any pictures of weeks 4 or 5. Oh well. Brek had a wonderful time playing soccer, and was very sad when he had to give his jersey back. We're glad he had a great time. We really worked to emphasize the importance of being a good friend and having fun, and he did a great job being mindful of those things. Third on the list was only using feet with the ball, and he did better than most. Maybe we have a future soccer star in our house?

March

So the most exciting event in the month of March was a visit we received from Uncle Adam and our friend Jim. Adam stayed 3 nights with us, and Jim stayed just one, since he lives only a few hours away. They hung out at Joe's school and did an assembly, and Adam worked with Joe's high school band. We enjoyed a night of talking together. And then we went to their concert in Sidney. Brek did great and is still talking about it. Of course the only picture I took of their visit is Adam trying to teach Brek to arm wrestle. I am always so appreciative of how grown men will play with my son. We're hoping they'll come back to visit again soon (and maybe bring the whole family).

The day after they left, Brek was sad that they were gone, so he colored this picture for them. He has only recently begun to enjoy coloring and drawing, and we're pretty dang impressed that his coloring stays mostly within the lines. I'm not sure I had even a grasp of that concept at his age.

Just wanted to make sure I captured this view on camera:

A few weeks ago, Brek came to me and asked how to write his name. So I drew dots and had him connect them to write the letters. He practiced a bit that day, I think, but the next morning, I watched him actually try and write his name all by himself for the first time. It's harder to capture the picture off of a mirror, but I think this worked. He mastered the E quickly. He has since learned how to do the letter B. Rs and Ks are still his "tricky" letters, as he calls them, but I've actually printed off tracing sheets, so he gets more practice and he's getting better.

As I mentioned above, Brek has gotten into drawing and coloring lately. He first titled these as "Two Boys," and he made sure to include in his drawing what physically made them boys. :)

Sure don't want to forget the things he says and does that just make us laugh.