BBall

Dillan has become very aware of his schedule. He understands that Mon Wed and Fri he goes to school. "So Mom, what do we do on Tuesday and Thursday?" Answers are typically laundry, cleaning, watch a movie, let Mommy take a nap, run errands. BORING stuff. He says he's ready to play soccer again.
So I started looking for something he could do during the long winter months before spring soccer starts. I was fortunate enough to find a reasonably priced, non-competitive basketball class for 3-5 year olds that meets Thursday mornings at the park.
Dillan is so excited about basketball. It is, after all, "Daddy's game."



It wasn't raining on the first day, but it was cold! He had selected his basketball attire carefully, and did not want to wear a coat. His teacher (coach) is fun and energetic and even brought treats for after class. Dillan is the only 4 year old. The rest are 3.



While it was difficult for the coach to keep everyone on task, there were runaway balls, boys gathering sticks, boys taking a break to chat with mommies, boys uninterested in playing after 3 seconds, one boy remained completely attentive and focused on the coach. Dillan. He didn't look over to me once. Even when I cheered as he scored a basket, he was in total game mode. Proud moment. He was working so hard and having so much fun.



I honestly believe that the Lord spoiled me in blessing me with the exact little boy that I always wanted. A good listener, athletic, charismatic, smart, sweet, and confident. I must have made a list of all the qualities I wanted my son to have and left it in heaven. He's perfect.


I'm not forgetting about Leah either. I don't have a picture of this special moment that happened today, but hopefully by writing it down I will preserve the memory. I don't want to forget how I feel at this moment. It may be the hormones, but every time I think of it, my eyes become wet. I feel warmth all over, and a special glow. A motherly glow.
We attended a baptism today for a boy in the ward. I went to be supportive as a member of the Primary Presidency and also volunteered to lead the music. When we took our seats, the kids were not being cooperative. Leah was tired and Dillan hungry. They flopped from chair to floor, to new chair, to my lap, to fighting over the same chair, to whining, and back again. I wasn't sure how it was supposed to work. When it was time for the opening song, I told them I would be up front waving my arm. The song started ("I am a Child of God") and I started scanning the room looking at all the faces.
Then I heard a child's voice, singing loud. I mean LOUD. The words were correct, and they were more or less on key. I look over to see the sweetest sight I've seen in a long time. My children, side by side on a chair. Dillan had his arm around Leah and they were both singing their hearts out, watching me closely. I had to hold back the tears, I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of everyone, but it was hard and I probably failed big time. She only knows the first verse, but when the chorus came, she was the loudest in the room. Pride. It wasn't the best time to pull out my camera, but I hope that image will never leave my memory bank.

Yummy

We went with some of our most favorite people to Mrs. Knott's.
Of course with all the delicious selections from the menu, all Dillan wanted was a hamburger. To his credit, he did eat the whole thing.
Leah started out the meal by bonking her head in the waiting area and earning a big bump on her forehead, which took over any desire to eat. Oh except Boysenberry sherbet.
It was a delicious meal with fun people.
Yes, not EVERYone was there to make it perfection, but maybe next time!

good times

Thanks to Dillan's soccer league in the fall, we had a free round of mini golf for the whole family. I believe the last time we took Dillan, he was in a stroller and just watched Mommy and Daddy, not really knowing what else to do.

Dillan had a lot of fun. He insisted that Daddy help him get set up each time. Daddy would patiently get his hands in the right position, then demonstrate how to hit the ball. He did very well and was having so much fun. He's been asking when we can go back and do it again. He still practices his grip, making sure he's got it right.

Both the kids loved the hole that the ball was hit into the hole and then magically popped out of a hole a few feet away to a completely different patch of green. Over and over again, Dillan was determined to figure out how this was happening. We must have returned to that spot a million times. He'd hit his ball, watch it fall in the hole, and then sprint top speed down the hill to see it come out the side of a rock. Seriously, that boy could be an engineer. A brain like his Papa's no doubt.

Daddy Kisses

Daddy has established a morning routine around here. Once he's all dressed and ready to leave, he'll announce "Kisses!" for everyone to here. When this happens, 4 pounding bare feet come racing to him.
Leah always comes first. Daddy leans over and she plants a big wet raspberry on his cheek. Sometimes the lips.
Then Daddy waits till she says, "Dillan kisses!"
Dillan shares his kisses and hugs with Daddy.
Finally, Leah shouts, "Mommy kisses!" and it's Mommy's turn for luva luv from Daddy.

She watches closely to make sure each of her commands is executed to her satisfaction. Then, as he descends the stairs, she says "OK, bye Daddy!"

Chris loves this. He lives for it every morning as he leaves for work. It's something special that he shares with his little girl.


Oh and here's the latest joke of the day my sweetheart shared with me. He had heard it from a stand-up comic.

My wife has become very lazy lately, or as she describes it: "Pregnant."
Yeah. So funny. Of course, I don't expect him or any other man to understand what its like.
And, thanks to the many male influences I've encountered in my life, I know not to take him too seriously. Ever.

more from Dillan...

I've been taking to laying in Daddy's chair quite often, just to keep the nausea down. I normally end up falling asleep, regardless of the time of day.
Dillan came over to me while I was on the chair and cuddled up next to me. Then he spoke with a quite whisper:

"Mommy, can I be a bishop when I get bigger?"

Hmmm. Not sure where that came from.

"Yes Dillan. You absolutely can be a bishop when you get bigger."

Then he smiled and walked away.

He was back just a moment later with that pensive, thoughtful face that brings a smile to my face every time.

"But Mommy, do firemen go to church?"

"Yes Dillan, firemen go to church."

I heart that boy.

With no appetite, I pulled out an old reliable friend that I've loved since forever:
an orange flavored Otter Pop. No other flavor will do.
Mmmhmm...
Seriously, who throws up an Otter Pop?

big brotherly advice

(sometime last week, 40 minutes before school starts)

Mommy: OK, time to get dressed for school!
Dillan: (arms folded, huge scowl on face) I'm not going to school EVER AGAIN!
Mommy: REALLY? Well, okay. Leah, do YOU want to go to Ms Carol's school today?
Leah: (copying big brother to a tee) NO!
Mommy: NO!? Well, that's too bad. I think you would like Ms Carol's school.
Dillan: (right on cue) Yeah Leah, you get to do lots of fun things! You get to color...
Leah: yeah, color!
Dillan: ...you get to paint! You get to write your name all by yourself! You get to sing songs! And Leah, the most important thing: you get to play outside with the toys!
Leah: toys, yeah!
Dillan: School is so much fun Leah. Ms Carol and Ms Melissa are really nice and you know what Leah? They have a potty!
Leah: yeah potty!
Mommy: OK. So Leah, do you want to go to school today?
Leah: YEAH!
Dillan: Sorry, Leah. You have to be 3. I'm the only one in our family that gets to go to school because I'm 4.
Mommy: That's true Dillan. So, are you ready to go to school today?
Dillan: Yes Yes YES!



Like the quote by the boat place says in Lake Elsinore:
"You only have 18 summers to spend with your kids! How will you spend it?"
(it's not summer, but it got me thinking about how many more years of schooling are ahead)

Little Jumper

Leah hates it when Dillan is dropped off at school. She just hates it. We decided to try and find an affordable activity she could participate in while he's at school. There's dance, but I think we'll start that when she's 3. Then I found a preschool gymnastics class through the city for 1 to 3 year olds.

Today was the first day of her class. I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew she did fine in Nursery as long as I wasn't around (hence, my banishment from that room), but this was all going to be new. I got her dressed in comfy clothes, put up her hair in pigtails and we were set.



Right when we entered the room she pulled out her pigtails, leaving a crazy mess on her head. There were so many fun things set up around the room, and she saw them all. There were a lot of kids with their mommies there, and I think that helped her feel comfortable.
Her teacher is fun and energetic. She walked right over to us and asked us our names. Then she took Leah's hand and showed her all the fun things that we were going to play with. Then the music started and we were off in our routines.



It was perfect. She was so into it. She jumped on the trampolines, walked the balance beams, climbed over the logs, rolled down the wedges, and swung on the bars. Soon she asked that her hair be put back "pretty." I only found one of the bands she had thrown out, and so put one spout on the top of her head. She ran right over to the teacher to show her her pretty hair.



At one point, the teacher wanted to demonstrate one of the bars. She took Leah to help her demonstrate. Leah climbed up the step, grabbed the bar, and the teacher helped lift her so that her stomach was over the bar. Then she let go and Leah held the position! Whoa! I didn't even know she could do that! She looked like a pro!



At the end of class the teacher stamped everyone's hands and feet with a frog stamp. She couldn't wait to show Dillan and Daddy her stamps.
So much fun!



By the way:



Although I had my suspicions, we didn't find out for sure until a few days before Christmas, once I started feeling nauseous. I didn't want to have my hopes up for a repeat of September, but there is a baby this time!
I finally got to see Dr B who was unavailable during the holidays. Proud to say he was very surprised to see me after seeing me in Sept and to see how far along I already am. You gotta think that man has seen it all!
So the baby's measuring to be born around July 23, but we'll see.

Ready to be done with being sick. However, I have found that sunflower seeds really keep the nausea away. Strange. I've stocked up and keep some in my car, my purse, and cupboards.
We're so excited.
Don't care if its a boy or girl. Just healthy!