GOOOOOOOOAL

We signed up for Ben to play micro-soccer at the YMCA a couple of months ago. It has felt like it would never get here. Yesterday was his first practice (technically he missed the first practice because of our Maundy Thursday Easter service, but he doesn't know that).
He had on his #19 tshirt (currently his must-have) his jersey and of course his shoes that make him run faster and jump higher by 9am! The countdown began until the 6:30pm practice. He even asked me, "Can we have dinner now?" at 9am since I had told him soccer was after dinner.
He was super enthusiastic about everything the coach had them do. He ran and kicked and squashed the ball like a pro. Well, not quite, but he is naturally very coordinated so he did well. He will have a few more practices and then they scrimmage each other. That will be quite a sight, I predict.
Nate was none too happy about big brother getting to do something without him. I even brought our own soccer ball so he could play on the sidelines and he refused it and only wanted the ones the coach had. There were many tears and many not-so-nice things said to mommy about his involvement in the game. I felt sorry for him so I was too easy on him. Hopefully, he will settle into his sidelines position with the other two younger brothers and be content. I'm not holding my breath!

The gang!

His buddies Jackson, Judah and Nadia are all on his team too!

 And little brothers Nate, Justus and Tytus are the cheering squad.

 They were to aim to hit the orange cone. Right on target!

Dribble 

 Dribble

 Dribble some more.

 Weave in and out.

The coach told them to go slow. A snail could have out-raced him until Ryan explained what she meant. He got the hang of this one easily too!

Shoot and GOOOOOOOAL.

Pure JOY! Can you see it on his face?

"Squashing" the ball.

 At the end of practice they were told to sit with the coach. Ben planted himself directly in front of a random mom. She was confused at first, while we all laughed from the sidelines. Eventually, he found the coach.

 Little brother got a chance at the goal. 

The boys were just looking through these pictures with me and Nate said "Where's me? I cried!" That boy! He remembers!

Easter 2013

The most important celebration all year...EASTER!

We began with a Maundy Thursday service will all the Christ the Victor Churches.

I was taking photos for the ministry during the service. During a prayer time, I looked over to see Nate in Tina's lap behind us. She later told me that he walked over and said "What are you doing?" loudly so she scooped him up and kept him quiet during the prayer. It takes a village!

Here is a video from our Maundy Thursday service. We are a little rough around the edges, but our commitment is firm!

On Saturday we had our second annual Christ the Victor Churches Easter egg hunt and hot dog roast. We hid 750 eggs and divided the kids into three age groups. It worked well!

The set-up crew. Nate telling Josh what to do with his big stick.

Ben went behind the adults that were hiding eggs to make sure they were closed properly and well hidden!

 

Patiently waiting to get this party started!

Over 100 people and kids from our churches showed up for the fun.

Egg hunting buddies, Ben and Judah. It was reported back to me that they shared the eggs they found between them!

When your parents are working, sometimes you just grab the hand of a friendly adult and go! At different times I saw both of my boys wandering around with friends and having a great time. They are growing up too fast. 

His new thing - all fingers in the mouth at once. Ick.

Ryan grilled 180 hot dogs and they went fast!

Comparing hot dogs after the big egg hunt.

 We also had a pinata. Nate's swing isn't very refined yet. He tapped it.

 Ben, however, had a serious swing!

My creepy photo of the pinata. 

 We are having a gorgeous Easter Sunday. The boys had a lunch picnic outside! 

Ben's Party

Happy 4th Birthday Benjamin!

 

 

 

 

 Ben has been planning this party all year - roasting hot dogs were a must!

 

 

 Singing Happy Birthday to him.

 'Decorate your own cupcake' was a hit!

 Sweet Nate couldn't get a way into the table for a cupcake.

 

 Opening presents.

 Ryan had a long week!

 Mama-D, Aunt Can Can and Cousin Abby joined us for the week of Ben's birthday. We went swimming at the Y twice and did some science experiments. 

 

Benjamin turned 4!

My dear Benjamin,

I remember so vividly the day you were born. We had not even lived in Wichita for a full year yet, everything and everyone still felt so new. I was excited and nervous, but confident! My mom and sister drove through the night to come meet you at the birth care center. I wasn't asleep anyway! I just stared at you or held you all through the night while your daddy slept on a sheet-less, broken couch bed.

These past four years have been an absolute pleasure! Being your mama is one of the greatest privileges in my life. You are a complete joy. You remind me so much of myself that it drives me crazy. You are strong willed, stubborn and always know what is best (or at least better than what I chose for you). But you are also extremely kind, always caring for others. You (usually) stop to help your brother when he falls or grab the hand of the littlest kid when you are all running and playing together.

Since you were very little your dad and I have thought you were super smart. You are so very interested in letters and words and how reading works. You ask "why" all the time and you actually remember the answers I give and call me on it if I give a half-hearted answer, usually from the back of the van which is when your mind seems to go into overdrive! You just got new shoes that you think make you run faster and jump higher and you have been showing everyone we meet. Hearing you say The Lords Prayer or a prayer of your own over dinner melts my heart. You know the stories in your Bible just by the picture on the first page. You know almost all the words to our "critter" stories we read at night (Mercer Mayer).

You are shy, but confident. Tender, but definitely willing to put up a fight. Willing to lead, but happy to follow along with others. You are an amazing son and I can't wait to see how you continue to grow!
All my love,
Mom

Click to enlarge to read.

His freckles are so sweet!

 

Carter blues.

 His laugh! It's absolutely infectious.

 Aaaaa-chooooo.

 

Super strong.

 

Quite a good baseball player!

And a few of little man, Nate.