Just so I never forget...

Blake knows just how to push my buttons.  Sometimes I have to give myself a time out just so I can collect myself enough to not yell my head off.  But, on the flip side, Blake has THE kindest heart of anyone.  Ever.  And I adore this about my son.  Its a quality that is one of many reasons I'm so proud to be his momma.  Like when he came to a friend's aid at school, two years ago now, because another kid was picking on her.  Or when he stopped last soccer season to help up any of the kiddos that had fallen on the field.  Or how he is the first one to Brady's defense when I have to reprimand him.  If he ever feels like there is tension between others, he immediately tries to break it down.  He just wants everyone to be happy.  Always and always and he will do anything in his power to keep you that way.  Such a love.  Such a good egg this kid is.  Last night, Brad was reading bed time stories and I was finishing cleaning up the kitchen and I overheard Blake tell Brad, "When I grow up, I want to marry mama!"  And then I died from my heart bursting.  

Brad said, "Well, mama is already taken.  She's married to me."  And in turn Blake replied, "Then I'll marry grandma."  
What a love he is.

Walk in the Park

Today was a no school day for Blakers.  The weather was beautiful and a perfect day to get out of the house and soak up the sun.  So, we headed to one of our favorite parks, Frisco Commons.  The boys had an absolute blast playing on the playground for a good while, and then Blake announced he wanted to go see the ducks.  Just as an FYI, you can't see the pond from the playground.  So he only knew there were ducks because he remembered the last time we were there.  In January.  And that last visit?  Yeah, I told my boys that we couldn't feed the ducks because we were all going to die.  Okay, it wasn't that dramatic, but I did slightly fear I was scarring the boys for life, with all my totally rational fears.  (you can reminisce that story by clicking here)  
So, I told Blake, "Sure, we can go see the ducks, but we don't have bread to feed them."  Blake,  "That's okay momma, we can bring bread next time!"  Haha. Hahaha.  Ha. Isn't he cute for thinking that.  
Its a bit of a walk to the pond from the playground and the boys were super excited to see the ducks and took off running ahead.  Love them.  Love just watching them soak up the world around them.  Love seeing the world through their eyes.

And then, that crane type thing that tried to kill us last time??  IT WAS STILL THERE PEOPLE.

Teddy Thief

Someone was spotted snuggling Brady's beloved, "Teddy".

Brady's Close Up

OMG.  This boy!  This boy is just the biggest love.  I can't not squeeze him and kiss on him all.day.long.  Can you believe his third birthday is approaching??  Because I can't.  

Go Strikers!

It's that time of year again folks.  No, not back to school, not football.... SOCCER season.  Not my favorite sport, but its totally a rite of passage growing up, I think, to play.  And Blake is in love with it.  Now that Blake is a big four year old, he's old enough to play in the organized city league.  We got an e-mail asking for more parents to volunteer as coaches and Brad decided his knee was well enough to handle coaching a group of four year olds and signed up for the job.  Little did we know this league does NOT mess around.  Brad has had to undergo extensive coaching training.  And I'm not even exaggerating. 
Blake played last year in a private league and it is hard to say he was really playing soccer out there.  It was really and truly like herding cats.  The kids had no idea what they were doing or what rules to follow.  This season, our team, The Strikers, has had two practices and we didn't really know what to expect at the game.  Oh my goodness, the difference a year can make.  The kids really are starting to get the game much better and their team played so well.  (In large part to the best coach ever!)
 
 

 
 
 
Blake is having the time of his life getting to run around with other boys his age.  He is always eagerly anticipating the next practice and now the next game.  Love it.  And, happy to report all the hard work Brad has put into being a coach is totally worth it.  Brad loved coaching the game Saturday and I know its going to be so incredibly rewarding for him.
Brad is so good with kids.  He's fun and patient, which goes a long way with little ones.  After the first practice as Brad was sitting around talking to the kids, somehow the question came up, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Every.single.kid. answered, "A COACH!"  And one of the mom's told me, the morning after practice, her son excitedly said, "I LOVE soccer!  Coach Brad is so much fun! I want to be a coach just like him."  
Heart melting material right there.