Spell Check

Soph is a good speller.  She likes to write and is pretty good at sounding out her words.  So, it was a little surprising that she had trouble with her Father's Day picture for Erik.  The week before, both kids were hard at work creating pictures for him.  Sophia proudly showed me hers when she was done and while the picture itself was very cute and well-drawn, I couldn't help but start laughing when I read what she had written at the top.  In fact, I laughed so much that I started crying.  This was not good because when I pointed out to Sophia why I was laughing, she started crying too (but of course not for the same reason I was).  I'll let the picture speak for itself but do admire how well she drew herself and Erik playing soccer, complete with the yellow soccer jerseys her team had this season. 

Let's Play Ball!

Andrew is doing the Eden Prairie Rookie Camp this month, an introduction to t-ball for 4-5 year olds.  I've heard t-ball is tricky at this age because they don't have the attention span for it so this camp has been great.  They start each Saturday morning (at 8:30 in our case) by singing the national anthem.  Then they rotate through 4 stations and end with singing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.  Each week they also get something special-a baseball, water bottle, pennant and medal. 

This last week was particularly entertaining because two of his stations were playing an inning of a game.  Andrew was second up to bat.  He waited patiently for his turn, watching the first batter.  As soon as that batter hit the ball, Andrew took off running full speed ahead for first base.  I'm not sure why-maybe the coach has said that as soon as the ball was hit, he should take off running and he didn't understand that the coach meant the ball HE (Andrew) hit.  In any case, it was pretty cute.  After his team batted, he got to play second base.  He has a pretty good swing and hits the ball well.  During camp, he's improved on throwing and this last week, successfully aimed and threw several balls into a fishing net that was staked into the ground.

Sleepless Nights

Last night Sophia and Andrew decided to have a sleepover.  Both kids were tucked in and off to the Land of Nod.  When I went up to check on them before I went to bed, Sophia's light was on but both kids were sacked out.  The only difference is that Sophia was no longer in her pjs.  Instead, she was sound asleep in a jean skirt and soccer jersey.  We have no idea why or when she changed clothes and when she got up this morning, she was back in her pjs.

Andrew cried out for Erik a little after midnight.  When Erik went in to see what was going on, Andrew cried out in distress that his pillow (with a train on it) wouldn't transform.  Erik explained that his pillow wasn't a transformer and that he should go back to sleep.  Andrew's response was to say 'ok' and promptly pass out again. 

Sometimes It's Just Hard to Stay Mad

Yesterday was Tuesday, which is bootcamp night in our family.  I haven't been there in several weeks, due to soccer games and just not feeling up to it.  Last night Andrew was hoping to join Sophia in KidsFit instead of the childcare area.  Unfortunately, they were full.  This did not sit well with Andrew and he refused to go to the childcare area, despite the fact that we'd already paid.  I took the calm approach and said I'd sit with him until he was ready.  He made it very clear that he wasn't going to be ready anytime in the next hour so I then explained to him that if I wasn't going to get to exercise at the gym, I was going to do it outside and he'd need to walk around the lake with me.  Instead of complaining that he'd get too tired, he took my hand and off we went.  Andrew held my hand the entire walk and chatted the entire time. We saw mounds of snow outside the Community Center from the ice rink, talked about what makes a forest a forest, watched the bugs swarm by the trees and flowers and found a stray baseball.  It may not have been what we'd planned for that hour, but it was perfect!

Today I tried (unsuccessfully) to get the kids to take a rest in the afternoon.  We spent the morning at Como Zoo and came home for a late lunch.  We've been so busy lately that Andrew has missed out on his nap and I figured they might be tired from the morning (and a little nap of my own sounded good).  Of course they didn't nap and ended up just playing together upstairs.  Andrew sang in his room for awhile and I thought he'd fall asleep but that was short-lived.  I went up to find Sophia on the computer and when I saw what she was doing, it reminded me of Sophia's sweet side.  Here's what she had typed on the computer (in Microsoft Word-she's becoming quite savvy on the computer).  Yes-there are spelling mistakes-this is her exact letter.

Dear the best mom in the world!  You think of us all the time.  I just wanted to say thank you.
Below you will see 7 things we will do for you.  We love you so much love Sophia!  Sorry Andrew didn't do it.

1.  5 hugs
2.  coffe
3.  berfast in bed
4.  10 kisses
5.  a party
6.  date
7.  reading together 

Spring Soccer

Spring soccer started several weeks ago and of course the weather hasn't exactly cooperated.  Week one was cold and rainy.  The next weekend was rainy.  Finally, this weekend was 80+ degrees and sunny.  We are so proud of our two soccer stars.  Andrew scored 4 goals Friday night and also scored his team's only goal on Saturday.  Sophia followed suit and scored her team's only goal on Saturday.  She has really picked up on the skills from her winter training camp.  Now, if she only had some teammates that helped her out.

UPDATE:  Sophia and Andrew continue to score.  Grandma is going to go broke with her $1/goal tradition if they keep it up.

I Get a Kick Out of You

Dear Baby,
You are now 15 weeks away from being born, give or take a few days.  Since Sophia and Andrew didn't come early, I expect that you'll take your time making an entrance too.  However, unlike your brother, I hope you don't make your entrance TOO quickly once you decide you are ready.  You are a lot more active now and have been getting some good jabs in.  Your favorite time to kick?  Oh, right around 10:30/11:00 at night.  This is usually when I am climbing into bed and you seem to like it when I am stretched out.  You are big enough now that my stomach moves as you do and this still fascinates me, even though I've experienced it twice before. 

Last night we were shopping for your brother and sister and came across the perfect outfit for you-a navy blue onesie with a train on it and the words "Little Brother."  Perfect that is, if you are a boy.  As much as I wanted to buy it for you, I held off.  It can't be returned three months from now and I figured that if you are a girl, you wouldn't appreciate it nearly as much-even if it does have your brother's favorite mode of transportation on it.

You are now a little over 12 inches long and my belly is pretty big.  It's hard to believe there is room for you to grow another 9 or so inches and gain another 6 pounds.