Let's Play Soccer!

Soccer season has arrived! For Carolyne, it has been a long time coming. This is Carolyne's first sport and she is ready! She has been talking about playing soccer for the last two years. She has been so patient as she has watched Mary Grace play one season of soccer and two seasons of softball. She has cheered on her sister with such love and enthusiasm. But, now it is her turn! Carolyne will be playing in the U4 Socceroo division. She is on a team with one other little girl and four little boys... and Jason is the coach! They have already starting practicing and she seems to be loving every minute! Here she is pictured with her pink, polka dot soccer ball. You know Carolyne, she is still girly and sassy even while playing sports!!

Mary Grace is playing in the U6 division at Moss Wright. We were thrilled to have her placed on one of our friends' team this year. It has been a lot of fun to see Mary Grace not only become friends all of the other girls, but also learn a lot about soccer in the process. Her coach is great and is really teaching the girls so much about the game... building their skill level so that they will be able to move up and play in the older age group next year. Mary Grace is having a blast!

Mary Grace Starts Kindergarten

Well, it is official... Mary Grace is in Kindergarten. I guess I thought this day would never arrive. For the last year, we have really been looking forward to Mary Grace starting school. We have "studied" everything from phonics to math so that she would be ready and ahead of the game. We shopped for school clothes, found the perfect lunch box, and decorated her Indian Lake tote bag. We met her teacher and had a few special trips to "practice" playing on the school playground. We were ready... or so I thought. Mary Grace was ready, without a doubt. She walked to the school door on her first day and said, "Okay, I will go on in and find Mrs. Seigenthaler... see you later Mom!". Oh no... you can't just walk in school by yourself on your first day. What was she thinking?? As it turns out, SHE was ready... I was NOT! I have spent so much time in my little comfort zone... being with Mary Grace and Carolyne every day. As moms, we always want the best for our children. I have been no different. I did everything I could to prepare Mary Grace for the inevitability that one day she would start school. We read books everyday, wore out our DVD player with Baby Einstein and always tried to stay up to date with the latest and greatest Fisher-Price learning gadget. We sent her to a great preschool and signed up for lots of toddler actvity classes. But, Kindergarten still arrived much too soon. Mary Grace walked into her class, sat at her desk, and began her work. She never even looked back. Jason and I just stood there, watching and waiting. But, she did not look back... no tears, no regrets, no fear. Jason says I should take that as a sign that I did my job well. I have "raised" her for these first five years to be ready to take on this new phase of life. Again, she was ready... I was not. But, I am so proud of her! We are all so proud of her. She is a big girl now. She loves school and is ready to learn! She wakes up each day so excited and full of anticipation for what the day will bring. I guess I can be thankful that she is not hanging on my leg each morning as I drop her off. But, honestly, if I could hang on her leg, I just might do it.