This past weekend we road tripped to Fergus Falls to attend Uncle Javonte's confirmation.
It was really awesome to hear how much he and his classmates have memorized and how they proclaimed the truth of the Bible by memory to the congregation on Sunday.
Javonte is the handsome guy in the bright blue shirt, standing next to the gal in the flowered dress
Javonte did a great job answering his questions and reciting his verses.
I think my favorite part was watching Summer's face during the service - she was riveted on every word they said, listening to every Bible verse with utmost attention! So adorable. Colton...well...he made it through the service reasonably quiet and a little wiggly :). Larkyn happily chattered in the back with Daddy so as not to disturb the confirm-ants! We all went back to Grandma and Grandpa T's house for a cookout lunch and enjoyed hanging out with various family members who all came to support Javonte.
On Saturday we went to the zoo, had 4 wheeler rides with Grandpa, and played with all of Grandma's fun toys. Colton especially loved digging in the sandpile with the construction vehicles and Summer loved Grandma's play kitchen. Here is a picture of the carousal the kids rode on at the zoo - all 3 kids had perma-smiles the entire ride! Larkyn's face was ADORABLE to watch! As she rode up and down and all around she looked at all the lights and people and literally loved it!
Larkyn's first carousal ride at the zoo
Grandpa T took some other pictures, so check back as I will add them when I get them :)
Summer is ECSTATIC to be on a soccer team this year! She and Daddy have practiced a bit in the yard and went out together to pick out her size 3 ball, cleats, and shin guards :). Summer is playing in the preschool league for Valley Athletic Association (VAA), which is a 2 month season running from May through the beginning of July. She has practice on Monday nights and games on Wednesday nights. She also happens to have the most handsome and fun coach ever... Coach Daddy :). Daddy played, reffed, and coached soccer all growing up and is now embracing the new challenge of coaching preschool - which is definitely a different sort of coaching! It is so fun to watch him do all sorts of creative games with the kids as well as watch Summer love EVERY minute! I am so in love with both of them ;). Here are a few pictures from their first practice. They don't have their T-shirts yet, but when they do, I will post a picture! Her first game is next week Wednesday.
My big girl!
Listening to coach Daddy
Practicing with Coach Daddy
Larkyn hanging out at the fields
Colton driving his alligator truck along the field
"Mommy, take a picture of my alligator"
Mommy/Son "Summer fan club"
Ready for first scrimmage
Summer touched the ball a few times in the scrimmage :) She is very fast but not very aggressive when it comes to taking the ball away from other kids :)
Summer (far left) running after the ball
Water break! I am so proud of her attitude, obedience to "Coach", and the joy she exudes on the field. She not only said she loved it, she also LOOKED like she enjoyed every moment!
And here starts a new era...I am now officially...a soccer mom...with a minivan... :-)
****A little sad sidenote***
After a year and a half full of many infection/healing cycles of Summer's pierced ears, we had to take out her earrings. The kids are not allowed to play soccer with earrings in, and when we took them out tonight, we knew that since they were not yet healed and were infected yet again, they wouldn't be able to heal again if we took her earrings out and put them in twice a week for the next two months. :( I wouldn't be surprised if, with her love of jewelry and accessories, someday when she is older she will choose to try and get them pierced again, but in the meantime, I am sure she will make up for her lack of ear jewelry with all of her other accessories!
We just got back into town from a wonderful trip to Fergus Falls to celebrate Uncle Javonte's confirmation (more on that later), and I have a bit of blogging to catch up on! Our littlest is now 10 months old already! Here is a little about out Larkyn at 10 months...
Larkyn rolls around and plays in her crib now, which means she falls asleep in a variety of different positions :). She sleeps roughly 8pm - 7am, takes a morning nap around 9am, and an afternoon nap around 1pm.
Larkyn finished her first year at BSF this past week! She had wonderful teachers who told her Bible stories and sang to her!
Larkyn's loves bath time and had her first "big tub" bath :)
Larkyn is the process of getting her first tooth (her bottom right)! Daddy spotted it 5 days ago, and it still hasn't fully popped through, although I can feel it with my finger.
Larkyn has officially dropped to 1 nursing a day - just when she wakes up in the morning. She continues to eat the pureed version of everything we eat like a champ. Bananas and potroast are least favorite foods while anything Italian or chicken seems to be a favorite. Her favorite snack is Cinnamon Maple puffed snacks, and will never turn them down! She is doing well with a sippy cup, figuring out how to drink out of it, but still needs help getting it "tipped" right for the liquid to come out.
Larkyn is much more interactive this month, which the kids and I both love! She can (when she chooses to!) clap, wave, blow kisses, say DaDa, reach her hands up for "How big is Larkyn, SO big", blink, mimic actions, and make her silly face. She still remains so easy going and smiley. I love her giggles!
Larkyn still moves by rolling everywhere! No sign of crawling yet...but she can get wherever she wants to!
Boppin to the Music
Larkyn had her first bout with stomach flu this month. That, combined with teething, made for a "slightly" fussy Larkyn (she was still pretty happy in comparison, but just fussy compared to herself). Daddy figured out that a particular Kids Bop CD almost always cheered her up, and she loves to bop to the music.
Morning Nap Routine
Larkyn goes down for her morning nap at 9, and my big breakfast eaters (seriously they each eat yogurt, toast, oatmeal, eggs, and several bowls of cereal!) are usually still at the breakfast table at that point. After I get Larkyn all cleaned up from her breakfast, the older two love saying, "Goodnight Larkyn, we love you!" as well as throwing in silly things like "Goodnight little honeycomb" or whatever silly phrases they choose for that day. LArkyn always gives them a huge smile and waves as we head to naptime and it is so cute! There was really no way to get a good video of this, but I tried just so I could remember it!
Easy Going
The kids both LOVE playing with Larkyn! Both of them love smothering her with kisses, talking to her, playing with her, etc. They don't always know how to be gentle or play with her, but they try various things and love making her laugh. Thankfully Larkyn is very easy going and loves all their attention. Here is a little video of Summer trying to play with her little sister...and shows how easy going Larkyn is!
