Most Improved Shark

Our {Alekzander's} first season of soccer is complete!

From March to May,

he and his team played in temperatures from 40 degrees to 80 degrees.

Goals were scored against them,

scores were miscalculated by 9 out of 11 Sharks most games,

but no one ever gave up.

This group of U8 players had first class sportsmanship

and an amazing coach who taught them well,

and played them equally and fairly.

Alekzander played all positions and claimed to love being goalie,

although he is fast, fast, fast.

While "shark like" aggression on the field is not natural for him,

Alekzander played hard and played proud.

He helped lead cheers on the sidelines :: "Go Blue Sharks!"

and mastered throw-ins and drop-kicks.

Moms {me} may have lost their voices,

brothers {Anderson} may have wandered on the fields,

and dads {Andrew} may have picked up a new skill set/new sports knowledge.

We also acquired two Size 3 soccer balls, smelly shin guards,

and a blue and black striped jersey.

What's more, we learned lessons about soccer

and got to see Alekzander interact with new friends

and respond to the directions of another adult.

Last night, Alekzander was named "Most Improved Player" 

at the post-practice pizza party,

and was commended for absorbing all of Coach's teaching,

trying all of the positions, and perfecting his spacing on the field.

We are so proud of him for trying, 

and succeeding at, his first team sport.

While it doesn't matter what sport he chooses to play in the future,

for this season, I was proud to be a soccer mom.

A Whim and a Win

Andrew is a great expectation manager, 

but a trip Uptown to try to get scalped tickets

for Alekzander's first Panthers' game

exceeded all expectations.

On a whim, Andrew decided to 

try to take Alekzander 

to the Panthers - Saints game.

It was a perfect storm of wet weather,

the Saints in town with a losing record,

an injured Drew Brees,

and a risk-taking, negotiating Daddy ...

and the big boys gained entrance

to the Panthers game for a fraction

of the face value on the tickets

and had awesome seats right in the end zone.

 Though the game was loud and a little overwhelming,

Alekzander enjoyed his first NFL game

and was especially happy to report the Panthers' win!

First Haircut

This is how Anderson felt about his first haircut...

The new experience, a stinky diaper, and no afternoon nap

were the impetus for full-out wailing

at our kiddie haircut place.

I was assured it happens all the time...

but I hoped it would never be us!

We still love Ms. Mary - who handled the tears

and tamed both boys' hair like a rockstar!

Apple of my Eye

Anderson picked his first {and only} apple...

all by himself yesterday at Sky Top Orchard. 

He was so proud,

and you better believe

he ate the whole apple down to the core.

And cried when I took it away!

Walking

...And we officially have a walker.

For close to the last two months,

Anderson has gotten stronger and braver.

He started to stand for a few seconds at a time,

then he mastered the squat-stand-squat move.

He was a professional cruiser.

He would tentatively take a few steps before 

deciding crawling was faster.

Within the last week though, 

his confidence {and balance} 

improved drastically.

He now toddles and teeters

and can walk wherever he wants to 

if he wants to.

Yesterday, we watched him stop in the middle of the floor, 

take three steps side ways, two steps backwards,

and then resumed his path

{most likely toward a ball!}.

Mama still loves to snuggle - and probably can be blamed 

for him waiting until 14.5 months to walk.

It's much easier to carry him {which he likes} and I still love the Ergo,

especially when he falls asleep in it in the middle of life happening!

I am in no hurry for Anderson to grow up.

My baby you'll always be.

Good job, big guy.

We are proud of you,

and we are so excited to watch 

you explore your world!

First Day of TK

Sweet, sweet moments this morning as we were getting 

our oldest ready for his first day of school.

Aside from not wanting to wear a button shirt at first,

Alekzander was amazingly cooperative and in a great mood.

Not a hint of uneasiness, nervousness, or fear.

He was most excited about using his new lunchbox

and eating a yummy lunch away from home.

We had talked about his teachers all weekend,

prayed for him to make friends and 

to be a light to those who might have been scared.

He is most certainly a light in our lives

{and ridiculously cute}!

On the way to school, we sang,

"Oh happy day, happy day,

Alekzander's going to TK.

Oh happy day, happy day,

it's Alekzander's first day."

{Love that Alekzander is looking up 

to make sure his brother is happy!} 

  

 Not a tear was shed this morning

except from Anderson.

We'll pretend he was sad 

knowing that his brother would be at school 

for four hours a day - to fight the tears,

Anderson and I had a dance party

so we wouldn't miss Alekzander too much!

{Photobomb by Syra}

She may have missed her little master too

or more than likely took a peaceful nap!

Thirteen Months

Man this kid is full of life

and he is such a joy.

I have started singing,

"You are my sunshine, my Ander-son-shine.

You make me happy when skies are grey.

You'll never know dear, how much I love you,

An-der-son Mad-dox."

At thirteen months,

you can sign "milk" excitedly,

throw a ball with both your right and left hand,

say a handful of words like

ball, duck, mama, dada, all done, baby, Ra-ra (for Syra), jar ...

you understand so much, 

shake your head no when you are about to do something naughty,

are getting four molars at once plus two other teeth,

tried cow's milk for the first time,

rode the light rail for the first time,

love to hear the ABC song when getting your diaper changed,

walk behind a push toy/cart,

crawl up the stairs,

throw animals out of your bed after every sleep,

pick out your own book to read before nap,

belly-laugh at your big brother,

play peek-a-boo,

rock out to music,

and so much more.

You finished Daddy's sentence tonight when he was waiting 

for his nightly train passenger;

after hearing him call "Alllll" {as in All Aboard!}, 

clear as day, you said "Done!"

You know you are cute and smart too.

When you are tired, you lay flat on the floor and put your head down.

You smile at strangers and make them smile back.

You are so proud of yourself when you share and make us proud all the time.

You are a "go with the flow" baby and you make life so rich!

We love you, big guy.

Southwick Beach :: Sand

This cutie should have been called "Sanderson" for the day ...

he loved the sand even after tasting it, throwing it, and laying in it.

Sand was everywhere, in all nooks and crannies,

even after a good dip in the lake followed by an outdoor shower,

but sandy sheets are just a rite of passage

for any true beach babe.

Southwick Beach :: Float

My sister and I used to spend hours in the water and on the beach 

playing on a black tire inner-tube/float.

We'd float down the beach with the current, 

try to flip one another out of it, 

jump off of it... the fun was endless.

Then dripping wet, we would drag the 'tire' into the sand 

and hold each others' hands trying to 

stand and balance on the unstable float.

We'd fall into the dry sand, laughing, 

and instantly become powdered sugar doughnuts.

The black float has long ago popped or dry rotted,

but the possibilities of float fun was still alive and well.

Alekzander and Anderson had their share of fun

in a retired yellow snow tube turned float.

Southwick Beach :: Joy

Southwick Beach on Lake Ontario

has not changed much in the 30 years I have been visiting.

It is peaceful and relaxing and unbelievably beautiful.

Bringing my boys back to visit my uncle's camp

{formerly my grandma's} brings me great joy.

During Anderson's first visit to Southwick, 

he shared in the joy and warmed up to the beach immediately.

The water was clear and calm and the sun was hot.

A perfect day on the beach!

Shoes and Baby Fashion

I am not the most fashion forward person myself

and probably also break all sorts of baby fashion rules.

PJs til noon, certainly.

Shoes without socks, of course.

Collared button-up onesie with no pants, why not!

Especially when you are a cool, handsome baby

and have some cute fake Converse shoes on for the first time.