Great Grandma Marie's Birthday! She was in tears when she saw us all there and above all there for her birthday! Uncle Walt and Aunt Pat come to wish her special greetings. We all enjoyed the snacks and cake with her. Her great -grandbabies were happy to flock around her.

The youngest great grandson seemed to adore smiles by his cousin, Lexi. And Lexi loved sharing her beloved blankie with Max. I was amazed. Of course, he needed to watch himself as she grasped and pulled it back to play peek-a-boo at the gentleness of a bull in a china shop!

Nicolas and Lexi have a moment with Max on the blanket.... (note blankie of Lexi's is keeping him warm).

Great Grandma gets a special kiss in to Max.

Soc it and Hop it!

Nicolas gets a special moment to laugh with his friend, Aidan, on the sidelines of his soccer game.

Coach Marty tries to to pump Nicolas up to get in there at the game. He is still fighting himself. He plays hard and very well during practice but pulls back during games out of ... something. I am assured it is something he will work through and probably "click" one of these days.

Aaron (Lexi's cousin and Godfather... and someone she adores) came to Nicolas' game again this week. He stayed and played with her after and for a LONG time the played with this grasshopper. It was funny. I worried we would have to take it home and make it part of the family. Shew... she finally let it go to its own home.

But not before she posed with it. I give her credit because I know I would never, ever let a grasshopper rest on my shoulder for a while!

What a good Friday!

We spent the morning having fun running together at a few yard sales. The kids loved spending their $5. Then we headed to the Dino Dig with Mom & Me. Kids had fun once again! The weather finally held out for us this time.

We used the mulch this year to hide the dino treasures in. Thanks to Garden Kingdom for letting us dig in their mounds!

Nicolas found a mini dino.

Lexi hunts for treasures.



Then came home and made a treasure of her own. She put a 24 piece puzzle together by herself. Proud little girl!

A bit of drizzle and some soccer!

Yes, this is a drill and not just a rest time! Having fun at practice!

Working the ball!

Do you think this little soccer boy is having fun???

And Lexi has shown herself to be a superb little sister at all these games and practices. She has gone to each practice and each game without whining and without fail. Entertained at the sidelines (with occasional help of Godfather Aaron, Grandpa and little friend Chaise) for the entire hour each and every time (up to two times a week). Her day will come... yeah, I see ruffled socks in her soccer shoes!

Sunday Morning

Nicolas tried to be such a big boy today. He got downstairs with Lexi before Shawn and I did and decided to help her by making her bowl of cereal. What a good guy! He did a good job filling the bowl... next time he just needs to hold on to the cereal holder until it is back on the shelf! Teamwork and we cleaned up the mess in no time.

This morning Nicolas did a great job being a "big boy" but this afternoon he worked on being a big... princess? He had fun and so did Lexi!

Oh, feel the love!

Making Hamburgers!

Nicolas and Lexi get a lesson in rolling and smashing your own hamburger from Shawn. Lexi isn't too fond of the process but Nicolas gets a kick out of it. Apparently they taste better too, according to Nicolas. I'm sure we'll do this again!

The Kids Play!

The kids and I hit a yardsale on Friday. Nicolas got a Scrabble Jr. game which he is already playing over and over. And of course winning without us "letting" him!

Lexi found some old Barbies and their camper at the yardsale. She doesn't care how much it is falling apart. She has played with that frizzy hair Barbie every day since. Oh no! I thought we had at least a year before we would get into these!

Second Socccer Game Gets Some Rain

Second practice and game. Nicolas loves it more and more this year!

High Five to Daddy!

Now THAT is a happy little soccer boy!

Our team scores again and again.

The Great St. Louis Balloon Race

We went to the balloon glow at Forest Park! The kids love the TV version of hot air balloons. So we thought they might enjoy them in real life. They were very excited! They loved every minute of it until... we got close... real close. The fire freaked them out. I mean it really freaked them out. Tears, terror is more like it. Admittedly took Shawn and I a little time to realize this is more then just toddler fear. The heat of the fires really got to them. Once we got out of the main fenced in area and put a few feet between us and the balloons then enjoyed them again and wanted to stay for the fireworks. We felt awful for not "getting it" sooner. Next year we'll enjoy it from a distance. Maybe the air is a better way to see a hot air balloon!

Still a bit timid from the balloons. Getting better.

Lexi was ready to pose!

Love their daddy!!!

I'll keep him safe from the fireworks and balloons!

What a way to nap!

School started for Nicolas without a nap mat. The mat wasn't on the school supply list. So we didn't have it that first day. I went to buy one but Nicolas is taller then the mats at the store. So leave it to his mom to decide to make him one that is more comfortable, long enough and soft enough to comfort his little head at school. Took me a couple weeks to get it all together but I think he likes it!



Long enough! Yeah! Even room to grow.

Maybe he won't nap at school but he will be snuggled while he tries.

Kai Turns Three!

Our loved cousin Kai turns 3 years old! I can't believe he is already three! Nicolas and Lexi totally enjoy his birthday party. Uncle Tim and Aunt Melissa did wonders moving it last minute to Grandpa Jim's house due to the hurricane that hit our area. Yep, who knew a hurricane would make it so far inland. But it did and made an outside party at their house a bit impossible. The party was a hit and so was the memories Kai will have of his 3rd birthday.



Lexi loves her cupcakes!!! And chocolate too, wow!



Look at the wind blowing in her hair! What a speeder! Um... okay, Kai's holding the back so guess she isn't going too fast.

Nicolas is having fun, don't you think?

The big boy cousins want to push Lexi to where she wants to go instead of her "having" to drive. Our little Diva let's them cater to her! Oh no!