Extra-Curricular Happenins

It's almost May already...Spring is in full force.  Chloë has her final gymnastics class tomorrow morning...only final because we are just not continuing in the month of May.  She's been going weekly for the past three months and really seems to enjoy it but we've moved on to...soccer!  She is being groomed to be the next Mia Hamm!  Just wait!   Well, we'll see.  This past Saturday was her first practice/game.  So it was a bit overwhelming for her I think.  We all piled in the car and rushed over to the local middle school where the YMCA holds their games.  It WAS PACKED...we could barely find a parking spot and then we finally did we unloaded and walked quite a ways to where the field was.  We got there, signed her in, found her new team, met the coach, got her soccer jersey and then it was time for their "practice".  The first half of the hour is practice and the second half is the game against another 4-year-old team.  Coach Scott is really nice and was very welcoming to all the kids as they arrived to Chloë felt at ease right away, which was great.  He started the practice with having them dribble the balls around the field.  We look up and see all the kids dribbling the balls around with their feet...except Chloë who is dribbling the ball like a basketball!  She is so focused on dribbling the soccer ball in this manner, bouncing it hard on the grass that she is completely oblivious that she's doing it wrong.  Hey, he did say "dribble the ball" and that's the only dribble she knew.  It was so cute- wish we had it on video!  By the way, this girl can dribble!  She's always been great with the basketball..maybe we'll have to sign her up for that one day as it's something she's always been really interested in.  But anyways, back to soccer and my future Mia Hamm (one step at a time!).

Coach Scott giving a pep talk (Chloë is #5)

The whole thing was really fun to watch.  We were soccer-parents to the fullest.  Yelling on the sidelines, snapping pictures and talking videos on our phones.  Chloë ran after the ball and was really into it for awhile but then she just hit a wall about 45 minutes into the hour.  She was done!  She came and laid down by us and rested and didn't go in again.  She was tired out...and I think a bit disappointed that it was so hard to get the ball.  We'll see how next time goes!  She does love her new jersey though and has worn it everyday since.  Go Blue Whales!

Chloë and our next-door-neighbor, Shane

The Hines Crew-  aka Chloë's cheering committee

Heading back to the car post-game

On another note, Myke & I got to go on another date night this past Saturday.  We have to set up date nights so we are able to actually talk without being interrupted.   However, once we get out on the date we start enjoying the silence so much we don't even want to talk to each other.  I kid, I kid...kind of. 

Oh, and of course Ella comes with us on the dates at this point.  She has yet to be introduced to the bottle so she goes where Mommy goes for now.  However, she's a great third wheel if you have to have one.  She's just the sweetest little baby.   

Napping on Myke's lap at dinner

Ella's first sunset

The long trail down to the water

(we only walked down part way)

Cheese!

Another reason we didn't re-sign up for gymnastics for Chloë for May is that it's due time that Owen & Eli got a chance to do a class or have something be FOR THEM.  I'm trying to make sure they get some outings that aren't just tagging along to Chloë's play dates or Chloë's classes.  It's a challenge with two the same age.  Classes aren't cheap.  However, I just thought it would be good for them socially to get out and about and try some new activities.  I found a children's resale shop nearby that has all sorts of classes for all ages.  They offer a Mommy & Me preschool-like class that meets on Tuesday mornings for 45 minutes.  I happen to have a nanny come help out on Tuesday & Thursday mornings so I thought this would work out perfect.  This past Tuesday I had Katrina (the nanny) take Chloë to gymnastics and I took the boys (and Ella) to the preschool class to try it out (It's so fun to pay a babysitter and I STILL end up with 3 kids!).  Anyways, the class consists of some free-play, a short circle time, a snack, an art project, more free play and then a closing circle time.  The boys really enjoyed it.  Eli refused to come join the circle time, but Owen sat with me for most of it.  Overall, they did great and I'm thinking I'll sign them up for May.  

Free play!

Stamp art project

snack time!