Braedyn Starts Gymnastics!

Braedyn started gymnastics last week, but I forgot my phone in the car. So, I didn't have any pictures. I remembered my phone today, but trying to take pictures of Braedyn while also participating in the gymnatics class with him was HARD! So, the only ones that really came out were from the end of class (when I was able to sit down and take them).

Each week his coach teaches him different letters, colors, shapes, and animals. This week each child got to carry a snake around from station to station:
At the end of class the coach gives each child a sheet with all their activities on it. Then, coach puts a sticker next to two of the skills the child did very well at. Braedyn did a good job on the trampoline today!

Here is Braedyn saying "TaDa" at the end of class. He was very proud of himself (and so was I)!

Braedyn loves his coach, Nick (also Brookelyn's coach)!

Here he is right before we leave. I was trying to get him to look at me, but he was too engrossed in his skill sheet and stickers!

I will try to take better pictures next week! But, most importantly he is really enjoying himself, and I love having the one-on-one time with him!

Officially a Soccer Mom...and LOVING it!

Okay, so as of 5:30 pm yesterday, I am officially a "Dallas Soccer Mom!" But, that is okay with me because Brookelyn LOVES soccer! I wasn't sure what to expect out of a three year old soccer class, but it truly blew me away. Her coach is named Luiz--imagine a South American soccer player, and that is what Luiz looks like. Of course Brookelyn had some minor issues with her new coach, but after warm-ups were over, I was able to return to the parents cheering section (thank goodness because Braedyn was getting heavy on my hip) and sit down. Her coach was amazing with the kids (all girls and one boy) and really taught them quite a bit in just an hour. He made a great point that most parents want their kids to start playing in games right away, but this class allows each child to have their own ball (rather than only one in a game) and teaches them all the skills they will need to truly play the game of soccer with skill. Here are some pictures (not great I know because I took them with my phone while Braedyn was on my lap):

Here is Brookelyn (the last little girl in line wearing the black shirt and really cute skull legwarmers) waiting her turn at the agility course. Each child had to hop with two feet over the noodles and then kick the ball into the goal. She was so excited!

Here she is jumping. She was trying so hard to use both feet to jump over the noodles!

And, here she is scoring her first goal! It was great because after each child scored a goal, all the parents would yell and cheer. I could tell from the huge smile on Brookelyn's face that she was super proud of herself.

Coach Luiz had the kids running up and down the court so much that they had to have MANY short water (or juice) breaks. Brookelyn sucked down all her juice halfway through the class, so Mommy is going to have to bring back up drinks next time.

This was another agility exercise. Here, she had to run, weaving through the cones and score a goal. Again, she loved it.

We did have a minor problem. The kids were running after Coach Luiz with the noodles and Brookelyn busted it. She didn't catch herself because she was holding on to the noodle. On a scale of 1-10, 10 being the time we took her to the ER for hitting her head on our bed, this was probably a 7. One mom wanted to go get a teacher, but I calmly assured her that we were pros at head bumps and that the ER doctor had previously advised us that it was very difficult to injure your brain by hitting your head on the forehead. After a few kisses and a nose blow, Brookelyn was out on the court again running around with everyone else.

Next Wednesday we get to do it all over again (hopefully, minus the head injury this time)--can't wait!

San Antonio Christmas

We had such a great time at Honey and Sashi's house over Christmas! Of course we were so busy having fun that I didn't take nearly enough pictures but here are a few that I managed to capture:



The kids began opening presents almost immediately! Braedyn just wanted to launch himself off the couch--luckily Daddy caught him. In the background you can see Brookelyn's special Christmas tree.

Here's Honey handing out the gifts and Sashi helping Braedyn open one of his presents. Uncle Jonathan and Aunt Tata were taking it all in.
Here's Daddy playing trash man.

The boys loved cuddling with Sashi in his big chair! You can see Brookelyn on the side--she can't sit still long enough to cuddle!

Daddy and Braedyn helped Honey cook breakfast one morning.

And, Sashi and Brookelyn cracked eggs for the breakfast tacos (only one ended up on the counter by some miracle).

This is a terrible shot, but it had to make it in because it is a one time event; Sashi actually took all three kids to the bathroom by himself. Who knows what happened in there, but everyone made it out in one piece.

We had such a great time and an amazing Christmas! Thanks so much, and we can't wait for everyone to get together again soon!

Christmas Morning

Allen and I had spent countless hours researching, shopping, looking, and buying the "perfect" gifts for Christmas morning. We couldn't wait for them to come around the corner and see all their loot! Here are the pictures from that morning:

The first thing Brookelyn went for was the Hello Kitty gumball machine (this is the item Allen had to fight a lady for at Target on Black Friday)! As a side note: Brookelyn has not eaten a single piece of candy out of it--on the other hand, Braedyn has gobbled enough for them both!

Here is Brookelyn pulling all her stocking-stuffers out. She was amazed at all the gifts because Allen had told her that maybe if she was really good Santa would leave her three or four presents.

And, here is B-Man taking it all in with Dino (his stuffed animal). He didn't quite "get it" at first and just watched sister rip through her presents.

That is until he spotted the candy canes Allen had put on the ground leading up to the presents. Then, he was thrilled to crunch his candy and sit on the sidelines.

Allen found these online and knew the kids HAD to have them. Yes, they are huge and have metal points on the end, but the kids did love them. Once it gets a little warmer I am sure we will have great pictures of the kids in their boots with their umbrellas!

Braedyn finally got going after about five candy canes. Here he is with his rubber lizard.

What you can't see in this angelic picture is that he is sitting next to the plate of Santa's leftover cookies. Let's just say Santa's leftovers were quickly gobbled up!

And, here is Brookelyn opening her highly anticipated Dyson vacuum (that really vacuums). She loved it!

And, of course so did Brother!

Then, Braedyn found even more candy canes inside his big bulldozer!

It was an amazing Christmas morning! We are so thankful for our beautiful babies (yes we are biased) and the memories we are so blessed to make with them!