Lola's new words

Do it. 

Hug

You (she's referring to herself when she says it)

I know

No way

Hey

Let it go

Potty

Stop

Ouch

Elmo

Book (which sounds an awful lot like burp)

Soccer week 2...

Soccer week 2 can be summed up in 2 words... well for my fam any way. HOT MESS! For the coaching part - i would say it was a successful week. I had more drills and fun activities.  Even though was one upped by the field next to us who had a guy dressed light darth vadar. Not like I'm jealous or anything?! But the mask and the light saber did seem to help. lol. 

Anyway for the hot mess... this time we better prepared and brought the stroller for Lola. When we arrived and put Lola in it, Greta was mad and wanted to be in it and didnt want to walk. I knew at this moment... the practice was doomed. So I carried her part of the way and then let her walk part of the way. She cried the entire time. Oh well... I persevered on.

We get to the field and now Lola is partly crying but Greta perks up when she sees her buddy Owen from school. And even kicked the ball with him before practice started.  

Practice started... I call the kids out. And Greta participated... until another kid held my hand to keep his balance when practicing rolling the ball. She didn't like this. But I persevered on! 

Then practice when on. Kids having fun. Me having fun. Lola screaming. Greta crying. But still I persevered on. 

Then the end for Greta came after I put the comes out and she tried to pick them all up but I said no. She had an all out meltdown. I just picked her up. Put her in the chair and still I preserved on! 

The rest of the hour was spend having fun for me. Lola cried the rest until I finally held her and did the drills. Greta never stopped crying until the snack came out. She was maybe really that hungry. 

But I persevered! And conquered week 2. I have a plan for week 3 to get Greta to play.

Easter weekend

A weekend in pictures 

Happy Easter! He is risen!

Easter is one of my all time favorite days. I think it's different from Christmas because there isn't all that extra stuff that distracts us from the real reason we celebrate. 

The music at church can brighten the spirit of even the most broken.

The message is uplifting and gives reassurance of life everlasting. 

The flowers are so beautiful. 

People are genuinely happy and positive. 

Yes, there is just something so special and amazing about Easter! He is risen. He is risen indeed! Allelujiah !

This song sums up a lot of it 

https://youtu.be/j5EVIhRQzGU

Soccer mama and coach

Well I knew the day would be here that I would call myself a soccer mama, but never really thought about a soccer coach. Since I've never really played. I've never really watched it - unless you count Kahle and Karles games. But knowing me and my slightly competitive spirit - I volunteered to be an assistant. Figure that would help get my feet wet. Well when the teams didn't have enough help, I got promote... to head coach of mini kickers #7. A team of 12!!!

So first practice (no games just practice) arrives. I've studied. I've practiced. I have plans. I'm ready! Luckily a set of parents volunteered to help at practices. 

Lessons learned

1. One hour is a long time to entertain 4 year olds with a soccer ball

2. 12 kids on a tiny soccer field is chaos

3. When 11 of the 12 kids are somewhat doing what you ask, you consider it a success. Especially when the one who isn't, is yours. 

4. Preschool teachers, day care workers - you are my hero. I don't know how you do it and how you get 12 kids to listen and all do the same thing. I envy you! 

5. I have a new game plan for week #2. Splitting the kids up for half the drills. 

6. Kids genuinely want to please you. And cheer them on when they do well.

7. Smile. 

8. Let them score goals. When everything is all done, that's all they really want to do anyway. 

9. Get the parents involved. Not only does it take some time. The kids feel more comfortable on the field. 

10. Have fun. If you're having fun - they'll have fun. 

Despite the feeling of chaos, I think i did a good job our first week. Especially when I asked one of Greta's friends who is on the team if he had fun and he said yes and when do we get to play again! 

So I must have done something right! Here's to a fun week #2.

Proud mommy moment

So during church I'm Good Friday, Greta was drawing a picture on her new dry erase board. She said momma look. It's Jesus's cave. And these are the rocks they move away. And these are the 2 angels that move the rock so Jesus can get out. 

I was so happy I wanted to cry. It made me super proud that she's getting it. And it made me super happy we made the right choice for a church because I know her great Sunday school teachers have something to do with that as well. 

Look forward to celebrating Jesus tomorrow (and every day).

Traumatic day at the doctor

Greta had her 4 year check up on Tuesday. She asked several times id she had to get any shots and I didn't think she did so I kept telling her no I don't think so. 

We arrive and o check her in... and the receptionist says to me, you now it's a vaccine visit. And I say oh no! How many? 4!!! Oh boy. I said she doesn't know and then informed the nurse of this as well.

So we do the check up. She's perfect and great And then comes the news. She kept asking why we were still there. It was like she knew. But the nurse came in. And we got ready for the shots. I pinned her upper body down and held her hands down and the nurse started poking away. There was tears. Crying. Screaming. Much sadness. 

Then it was Lola's turn for 1 shot. She doesn't even really cry. Just gives you this mad, pissed off look. And then is fine.

Greta continued to cry, very loudly as we checked out. As o carried her and Lola to the car. As we drove home. 

After we got home. And for a while any time she remember. 

Luckily by evening she was better. It was a long day!

Lola 20 months

Wow time is flying. 20 months old! That's crazy. And to think by this age with Greta I was like 4 months pregnant. 

Lola has such a great personality. She's smiley and lovable but man that girl has a temper. 

1. She bites. A lot. So watch out.

2. Is talking lots more - latest and favorite phrases are "I know." "Right here." And "hey!"

4. Loves babies, especially Greta's new baby

5. Is silly and funny and quite a ham

6. Still a mama's girl

7. Can out eat me some nights

8. Is going lots ok the potty and is dry most days we are home. School will also start working on it too

9. Loves Mickey Mouse and calls the show Oh Toodles! 

10. Still has the twinkle on her eye. 

For the love of books

I'm so happy that both girls love books and to read. I catch them reading all the time and it makes me so proud. I hope their love of books continues as the grow.

Birthday Party Fun

One last day in the 3 day Greta birthday celebration... a party!  Not a big party but lots of sun and fun was had.

Lots of fun decorations

Family themed - Lion King / Lion Guard outfits

Our singing was too loud she said

Very grateful for all the gifts

Plus singing to Kahle

And to Uncle David

Thank you so much to everyone who came.  Love you!

American Girl - or bust

So Greta has had in her mind that she is getting an bitty baby for her birthday ever since she got the catalog in the mail. I figured this would be a great gift and that she would love it.

So I asked Ryan if he wanted to take a half day and drive to Columbus with us - there is a store there.  And he agreed.  So Friday morning, we woke up at hit the rode about 8 and drove the 3 hours - totally worth it!

Greta and Lola both had a great time in the store. Lola pushed a stroller around the store.  And Greta v-lined for her baby.  She then wanted everything in the store for it and we had to have a little talk about what we could get.  And in the end, everyone left happy.  Except maybe Lola - she would have pushed those babies for hours.

Then we walked to lunch.  And then stopped in a few stores to shop.  And finally capped the day off at Build-a-Bear.  I thought Lola might like something, but nope.  Nothing.  Asked several times which one she wanted and she kept saying, nope.  So nothing for her but a new Skype build-a-bear for Lola.

Then we let the girls walk and run around the sidewalks and burn off any energy left.

Then it was back in the car for the 3 hour ride back - but this time 2 sleeping girls - the entire drive!

So much fun!  And one happy girl when we got home!

 Loving on her new baby

Reading to our new baby

Lola had to read to her baby too