Madisyn's last soccer practice was today. She did wonderfully well again! She even got to go out to ice cream with Daddy afterwards :)
"Are you sad that it's done?"
"Yes, but I can go next Tuesday."
Made my heart melt... she was actually starting to enjoy it!
Better yet...
"What was your favorite part of soccer?"
"Um... running."
Maybe I should start up cross country for pre-schoolers :)
So Madisyn hasn't really, how do I say this... enjoyed soccer. She talks about it and says that she's excited to go, but when we get there, she'd rather play with the net, walk along creases in the carpet (it's indoors) or whine and sit on the sidelines (and it's gotten increasingly worse). Once in while I've gotten her to participate if I'm holding her hand. Not sure what it's all about, but after last week, we decided that the last two (of six) "lessons" were not worth the stress that it put us or her through.
I gave her the option if she wanted to go or not today, and she opted not to. Then, all of a sudden (with minutes to spare) she decided that we were going to go. Off to soccer we went. For no reason apparent to me, she started doing everything without me (I then went outside of the field, where all of the other parents were hanging out). She played the entire night smiling and waving at me occasionally. The only main issue now is that when they were scrimmaging and the ball came to her, she ran away from it... guess we'll have to work on that :)
Rob took this picture while I was outlet mall shopping all day on Saturday, I just love it! I can't believe how old they look!
A friend of mine from high school (who I also ran cross with) ran in the Olympics for the second time last night. He did remarkably well (and it was only his third marathon ever!), finishing 9th overall and 1st for the USA.
I dug up a few old photos of us from high school (I apologize for the poor scanning quality).
(l to r: Kyle, Dathan, Seth, Andrew, Phil)
Us showing off our pop bellies (I think Ryan on the left won by a fair margin)
During college at a cross reunion
Dathan dressed up in my brother and sisters puppy-dog sleeping bag
Madisyn and I get to play soccer together Tuesday nights for six weeks! I may enjoy it more than she does, but I'm sure she looks cuter!
Playing goalie, and not so focused on the game. Yes, she got scored on.
And posing during the game
We finally celebrated Elliot's bday (my brother) Sunday. His birthday was June 28th, so we were a little late. None-the-less, we were lucky enough to have my aunt and uncle join us as well and my uncle took some fantastic pictures of the kiddo's.
I love this picture!
Landon likes planing IN his toy box (Madisyn did the same thing at his age!)
Madisyn and Grandma Grandia
Seriously, I think she looks so old here! (minus the cheesy smile, of course)
Don't mind the naked diaper photo.
Loving Daddy
Loving Aunt Shell
Loving Landon (and cheesy posed smile)
Still enjoying the swingset!
Our wonderful vacation has come to a close. Rob and I stayed at a campground in Bellaire, MI (near Shanty Creek) in a cute little cabin. Five days was a very long time for me to be away from the kids! I probably annoyed the sitters calling all of the time to talk to them :) None-the-less, everyone lived :D
Rob and I spent the majority of our days boating on the "chain-of-lakes" and our evenings having campfires (or attempting to do so). We launched at various public launches and found our way from one lake to another until evening. It was fantastic! We had gorgeous weather, were able to spend a lot of quality time together, and even sleep in! I was absolutely amazed at how beautiful some of the lakes were, especially Torch Lake! The water was crystal clear, turquoise in color, and it had the most silky sandy bottom! If you haven't gone there, you need to!
I apologize to the few of you who read our blog :) I have been delinquent in posting lately and now Rob and I are on vacation up north ("camping" and boating) for the week. Note: our first time on vacation alone (since kids) for longer than a long weekend! I promise to give updates when we return! Hope you're all well!
Thank you to Mom (and Dad) Grandia, Mom (and Dad) Dykema, Rachelle and Kate for helping with the kids this week!
(for now, here's our crazy daughter eating a tomato, and loving every minute of it)
We had a nice weekend at the cottage filled with family, friends, water, boat rides, food, and late-night campfires.
Our little princess (who insists on getting bigger, although we ask her not to) decided that she wanted to swim to the raft this weekend and was SO proud of herself!
Jumping to Daddy
Swimming with her cottage buddy Meghan
The three eldest grandchildren taking a bath - Landon (1), Joshua (2), Madisyn (3)
Landon loving on Levi (2 months old) - Whenever Levi was around, Landon wanted to "hug" (smother) and kiss him :)
Our little peanut with his pale white tummy!
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