Soccer

Jackson started soccer this season.  This is his first sport to play on a team.  We have done Soccer Tots before, which just teaches soccer fundamentals, but never a team sport before.  Aaron was asked to be the coach of Jackson's team and while Aaron played soccer all through middle school, he didn't know the first thing about how to teach soccer to a bunch of 3-5 year olds.  It has been a learning experience!  One of the moms volunteered to be the assistant coach and I think they complement each other well.  Marilyn does a good job with the kids as a whole and Aaron is really good with them one-on-one.  Practices have been interesting and the one game so far was crazy, but the kids are having fun and that's what counts!    

 Emme just plays in the fields while Jackson has practice.

 Here, Aaron blocked one of Jackson's shots and he got upset!

First game: Saturday, 3.24.2012

 Emme showed her Team Columbus spirit by wearing highlighter yellow as well!

 Warming up

 Warming up

 Look at him!  Really getting in there.  Love it!

 That little girl with the ribbons in her hair kicked everyone's booty!  She was really good!

 Jackson is an excellent defender!  He blocked about 4 or 5 of the other team's goals.

 We gave Sammy a shot at goal keeper and he didn't want to kick the ball back into play.  His mom tried coming out to help, but they eventually put Jackson back in as goal keeper and things got going again!

 He's ready!

 But there were times like this...

 Or like this...

 This little guy cried the whole game and didn't leave his mother's side.  She tried forcing him to play goal keeper, but eventually Jackson was back at the net!

Good game!

I don't even know what the final score was - they whipped our butts (5-1, maybe).  About 3 or 4 of our little ones either didn't play at all or kept running on & off the field to mom.  Drove Aaron crazy!  We hope that things get better and that everyone starts to feel more comfortable as time goes on.  Jackson has so much fun, so I am cool with whatever!

Day at the Park

We had a fun day at the park over Spring Break.  Jackson is at the stage where he doesn't really want to pose for pictures and Emme is all too happy to!

 Cheesy fake smile

Love them to pieces!

First Dentist Visit

Jackson & Emerson had their first dentist appointments on March 13, 2012.  Before the appointment, Emerson was saying she wouldn't be scared or cry and Jackson cried for 2 days before.  On the actual day, Jackson was cool as a cucumber, but I had to sit with Emme in the chair and hold her arms & head while the hygienist cleaned & polished her teeth and then again while the dentist examined her.  He gave a great report to both kids, commenting on how pretty their teeth were.  He did say that Jackson had an under bite right now and that if his jaw didn't grow more by the time he was 11, he would probably need orthodontics.  His x-rays looked good though, with all adult teeth visible.  Emme didn't get x-rays at this visit, but the dentist said if all remained as is, he didn't think she would need orthodontics.  Overall, I'd say the visit was a success!  Both kids were stoked about their new toothbrushes & stickers.         

 Showing off his freshly cleaned & polished pearly whites!

 Getting x-rays

 The hygienist said to "give mom a thumbs up" but this Red Raider said "nuh-uh! How about a Guns Up!"

This boy was raised right!

 His x-rays

Both kids with their bag of dental loot!

This was the only picture I could get of Emme since I was restraining her the remainder of the time.  Good grief!

Stick Horse Rodeo

The annual stick horse rodeo was on March 2nd this year.  It is one of my favorite events at the kids' school!  We had a hard time finding Emme a cute "cowgirl" outfit this year.  We went to Cavender's the night before to find something - BIG.HUGE.MISTAKE!  There were MILLIONS of people there, everything was pretty picked over and I was annoyed.  I tried a couple of outfits on Emme, but nothing really worked and at one point, Emme even said Mommy, I don't want to wear this.  I look widicuwous!  I just looked at Aaron, who replied She's right! and we busted out laughing.  I then thought screw it, we'll go to Target and find her a cute denim skirt I can countrify.  We ended up with a cute chambray dress that isn't western, but with boots and a hat, it passed.  Here are some pictures:    

This kid cracked me up!

Jackson & his sweet buddy, Andrew

 Milking a "cow"

 Bluebonnet face paint

 Driving the stage coach

 Bowling

 My sweet Chicken!