Kyler: Headed to Ole Miss!!

Kyler graduated last week. 

From high school. 

This is not possible because he is 7...isn't he??

Note: these pics are all out of order & you are going to have to just follow along, because laziness is my friend tonight

Hilarious-he stopped for a corn dog & a drink on the way to his graduation. Yes, that is his gown crumpled up in his arm while he gingerly carries the corn dog. Love this guy.

Stop it. Just stop it.

You have just never seen a Pieces like this girl. She LOVES her some family. I mean, LOVES HER SOME FAMILY. We love our Lily, but she was not necessarily like that at this age...

Amanda did an amazing job at decorating for the party. Everything was so perfect & delicious and themed! Our entire family truly does love a theme. 

He is so grown up.

It's a little fuzzy because it was far away, but he GRADUATED! So proud of him & I can't wait to see all of the good things that are in store for him!

There were a lot of names and our kid was early on....we got a little bored.

This is what I remember. 

Amanda even had a basket of Ole Miss shirts for everyone! Anderson, true to form, loved his and insisted that I wash it nightly so he could wear it multiple days in a row. 

I can't think of better lacrosse coaches than my talented nephews!!

Whenever possible, we leave mom with all of the babies to feed/clothe/raise....we think they might actually survive their childhood when she is around!

I took this Panorama shot of the backyard & it really sums up the trip...

The Season Finale

The end of Anderson's first soccer/teeball/swim season has arrived. The last few months have been so PERFECT, in an almost shocking way, that I decided I need to reflect on what happened to our family because I have a feeling that this has been the first of many, many sport seasons to come. 

First, LOTS of practice. All of the time. I truly am impressed with his ability and desire to stay so incredibly focused on anything and everything sports related. The same kid who can't sit still for 10 minutes WANTS to dribble the basketball/play soccer/hockey/baseball/swim for hours on end. Truly, sports have become his toys. 

Does this count as practice? I think so. 

In addition to practice, he loves to watch all things sports. This is a perk since I had to cover many a Powell baseball game. Every night he will choose whatever sporting event Brandon is watching over normal 4 year old choices like cartoons. Thank goodness he is watching with Brandon because the boy has a lot of questions about the rules/scores/teams/basically all things that I don't know. 

Second, always, sitting right there trying to join in was this Mr. 

*Well, in this pic he is having a milk box thing, but he is normally trying to join in the games. 

I feel that his childhood is even more epic  because as the  2nd born, he got to attend so many activities and be loved on by many grandparents. I used to feel a bit sorry for him that he was always forced to attend so many things, but I must have been crazy because what kid* doesn't like activities and going places?

*None of my kids. It is genetic.

So beyond grateful for Anderson's cheering section! Especially when they helped entertain Max...

Tess even came to cheer him on!!

*Stay tuned for more pics of Tess in the fall because she made UT cheerleading!!! SO proud of her!

Third, watching Brandon help coach soccer & teeball might be my absolute favorite thing ever. Watching Brandon interact with Anderson speaks to patience, knowledge* and just downright adorableness. I mean, it will make my heart happy every time.

*Knowledge-how does Brandon know SO many random things about so many sports? I mean, it is crazy. Is it just genetic? Just a guy thing? I hear, "You have to dribble with your left hand, too" and " It doesn't matter how hard you swing, if your elbow isn't up." and I am just grateful that teaching our kids about sports is not left in my hands. And, I love that Brandon is so supportive by being positive, but also encouraging with teaching him about skills and the rules. I just love it.

Fourth, it turns out that Anderson's combination of physical energy, intensity, borderline aggressiveness, fearlessness & competitiveness*  make him  a pretty good athlete. He thrived on beating the runner to the base, trying to get the ball & scored quite a few goals in his soccer games.

*These same traits also translate into NEVER sleeping, stubbornness & a constant need to be on the go, preferably attacking something, so it's not entirely a win-win.

He was able to swim the entire length of the pool BY HIMSELF without any support, so he got a green necklace, which means he can go anywhere in the pool by himself. His swim teacher told us, "His endurance is incredible; he is like a 4 year old olympian."*

I am still not just trusting him in the pool as he needs a lot of practice, but I feel pretty good that he at least is on the right path. 

*Again, apparently 4 year old olympians never need sleep, so this is not something I am entirely proud of all of the time. 

And, finally, I LOVE the idea of team sports. Look at how cute these kiddos are!! I played team sports through high school & I definitely learned sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, resilience and had a lot of fun, so I want the same for my boys.

 We are so happy that  the first sport team we were on was with Jack!

Anderson & his friend Asher from his school at their Soccer swimming party.

I wish there was a way that I could have truly captured the emotion in the moment when he received his first trophy. So beyond proud.

The soccer team!

And, finally, because I was too cheap to order any of the actual professional pics, I made him pose on the field so we can have official memories. 

Looking forward to many more games!

Max: 1 year

 This Mr. turned 1 last week & Max celebrated with the grandparents by losing his pants.

Chubster acquired his first black eye earlier in the week. No worries because it does not require a patch!

 One day we will take an actual picture together.

 Trying to get a pic of one of the cute onesies from GG. Also, notice the sword fighting between Noni & Anderson in the background...

 Love this shot of these 3!

 The family, just posing in the doorway.

 How come the grandparent shots turned out so good!

Perhaps the absolute greatest blessing of my life is that all 4 of these people live so close to us.

 Massively unimpressed. Almost annoyed actually.

 Anderson opened all the gifts while Max took advantage of the empty chair.

I will never tire of the fact that he is still in a crib.

The 1 year stats! Definitely chubbier than Anderson was at 1. 

Some pics of Anderson

I love this kid.

My mom sent me this the other day. It really made me sad at his pitiful childhood. And, what is that giant mud hole? 

Pics Uncle Zack took at Easter. 

So, I have this friend named Clare. I also call her "My Hero" because she totally picked Anderson up from his school one day that I had to work late & took him home to her house with HER OWN 2 CHILDREN. She also fed him. And, entertained him. And, he loved it. And, I love her. 

And, that Goose face. I also love that Goose face. 

Speaking of, Clare planned an epic party for Jack at an awesome park and I somehow ended up with this one high quality pic. Anderson had so much fun and on the way there told me, "Jack & I are going to be best friends even when we are old." SO grateful to have these besties in our lives. 

One day this will cause great laughs. That day is not here yet. 

If he wants to dress himself, I let him. 

On the days he goes to school & takes a nap it is rough times trying to get him to go to sleep. We make him go to bed by 9, but (SINCE WE DON'T PATCH AS MUCH ANYMORE) we let him look at books or whatever until he falls asleep. I walked up to see this the other night & it just melted my heart. 

A link to the news segment that featured his school!