hi

kick

As parents, if we see a glimmer of interest from our kids in any sport, we want to give them every opportunity to involve them in the sport early on in their lives to foster its growth. Tiger Woods' Dad started coaching Tiger in golf at age 2 or 3. Eli's interest is in any sport, but one of his favorite is soccer. So as an early birthday present to him, we enrolled him in a 10 week soccer camp on Saturday mornings.

When we woke up for his first day, he was excited to go play soccer. You can see the excitement on his face in the above picture. He wanted to bring his soccer ball even though we told him there would be many there.

When we first walked in the doors of the United Sports Training Center, we were floored! We have never been before and it was HUGE! Immediately Eli saw the little soccer dudes and dudettes kicking their balls around. He ran over and excitedly to tried to join in on the fun. Once there, we was a soccer goal shooting maniac!

They had little kid goals that Eli loved shooting the balls into. Proud Mommy Moment: he made so many goals, even from far away! This kid has a gift, people. He cannot even eat with a spoon very well yet, but give him a ball and a goal and he is like Pele! :)

I cannot be sure what he is doing here, but it looks to me like he is dancing with the ball. He does love to dance.

They also had different activities other than soccer goal shooting, like the above parachute. At first Eli wanted nothing to do with the parachute. Every other kid was holding onto it and having fun, but Eli was still shooting goals.....very dedicated to his craft. :)

But then when he realized balloons were involved, he ran over and wanted to kick the balloons like a soccer ball.

Look at that height! That form! That concentrated face! We will be taking calls from scouts now. Act early because this kid is going places! :)

celebration

My sister Michelle's wedding was yesterday night. It was supposed to be an outside affair, at my parents' house, under a tent. Tropical Storm Hanna changed those plans very last minute. The last few days before the wedding consisted of Michelle and my Dad scrambling to find an indoor venue to have the wedding and reception. Friday, they found one! Friday!!!! The wedding was Saturday! I would not wish that stress on my worst enemy. So her wedding was held at the Inn at Chester Springs. They were MORE than accommodating and the coordinator, Katherine Burnes, was phenomenal! They had to call people from home to help set up! So if you are ever in need a venue for anything at all, I highly recommend the Inn at Chester Springs. :)

The wedding was wonderful! My sister looked AMAZING! Eli was the ring bearer. I have no pictures of that, unfortunately, because I was in the wedding and couldn't be snapping pictures when I am supposed to be standing and looking professional. :) But he did SO WELL! He was very efficient because he RAN down the aisle, gave me the pillow and RAN back up the aisle, saying "Daddy, lost!". So cute!

Anyway, here are some more pictures from the day. Now all of us kids are all married and I think my parents are experiencing a sigh of relief! :)

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE AND MATT!

buddies

airborne

change

Sometimes, when one is on the cusp of change, it propels one forward.

Change is good....supposedly. Since I am a first born, I dislike change. I thrive on predictability and knowing what comes next. It is comfortable and helps me to trust.

But change is coming and it has made Chad and I get into our battle stations and ready ourselves for what we are about to accomplish: Eli is in a big boy bed.

We gave him the full bed from our spare room and it is now in his room, bed rails and everything.

Last night was the first night for Eli in his big boy bed. Daddy crawled into bed with him and laid with him until he fell asleep, which took about an hour and a half. But maybe that was because Pop Pop gave him so many M&M's, a treat they share and bond with, just the two of them. Maybe Eli was too excited about his big boy bed because he started out climbing all over Daddy's head! Whatever it was, once he calmed down, Eli did great with going to sleep.

I will keep you updated on the progress of actually staying asleep.....at least most of the night would be nice. :)

raisins

The other day, Eli pointed at what he thought was a picture of me:

Kids say the darnest things, don't they?