Soccer

First day of "parent participation" soccer down.

 

Robbie excelled at setting up the cones, kicking down the cones, spinning the ball, kicking the ball when he's supposed to be listening, running up and down the big hill, chasing the coach to hit him with a ball ...and taking a break for water. 

 

He did not excel at "sitting on his spot", not touching the ball, or any of the actual "drills". 

 

Three hour naps all around. 

 

Mom calls it a success, but cannot believe her kid is doing something so classically yuppie as soccer lessons at two years old.

 

Big Boy Bed

After a couple of accidental/purposeful leaps out of bed, we decided vacation was the perfect time to attempt the "big boy bed"

Equipped with a bed, a trundle bed, and a mattress on the floor... and a carpeted floor... it was a victory.

Kind of.

One lamp didn't make it through the transition.

There were no drawers to be emptied out, or those would've fallen victim.

We were smart enough to tie up the blinds cords.

But he did great save for the one snooze on the floor.

Full transition attempt this weekend.

9 Months

Little sister is 9 months old today...  and she's awesome.

• She's totally grown out of her grumpies unless she's over tired or spies food that she hasn't yet been given.

• Can already pull up to standing and is working on standing on her own.  She cruises aggressively.  I'm predicting now she'll be walking by sometime in October.  Yikes.  Early!

• Has been waving and clapping for a couple months now, but I keep forgetting to mention it.

• I swear she said bye bye the other day, otherwise, she babbles and squeals but hasn't done Mamamamama or dadaadadas or babababas or any of those noises.

• She knows her name, and more importantly, she knows when she's about to do something she isn't supposed to do.  Looks back with a "are they looking?" before she inevitably raids the dog bowl and splashes in the dog's water bowl.

• She's not interested in ANY baby toys, just pulling herself up on everything and anything.  And climbing.  She's going to be a climber.

• Has mastered the pincher grasp, and loves pasta, meat, and all veggies.  Hates fruit.  All of it.

• We're up to 7 and a half teeth.  Poor Annie is going to have a tooth gap.  Time to start saving for braces!

• She thinks Robbie is the funniest thing ever.  They crack each other up when riding in the car.  She mimics him, he mimics her, and they both laugh full belly laughs.

• I think I've mentioned, but they call her the "mayor" at school.  Her class is mostly younger babies.  If they are crying, she crawls to their bouncy seats, etc. and tries to rock them.

• And we're trying cry it out.  Did it three nights.  Caved last night after 20 minutes of crying at 4am that was keeping us and Robbie up. Blah.  I hate it.  I think she's having a growth spurt, personally. But that may just be rationalizing my guiltiness.  I probably need to sleep in the basement for a few days instead of hearing her and letting my guilt gnash.

Nine is divine.

So are those baby blues.

Trip of a Lifetime

Part of the reason Susann and I write these blogs is to  have a record of the things so that we can one day share with Robbie and Anna Helen as well as ourselves the things that, at least at the time, we thought were important during their childhood.

One of the things I really want them to understand is that they are a part of two amazing families.  In this blog I want to focus on the trip I took last week with my Father, Lacy Edwards.  We were able to take part in an Honor Flight from Myrtle Beach to DC.  Honor Flight is wonderful organization who's purpose is to fly World War II veterans to DC (for free) for a day to visit the service memorials and most importantly the World War II Memorial.  Time has almost caught the "Greatest Generation" (I am not crazy about that term by the way - I prefer the greatest so far) and many of them would never get a chance to see this beautiful monument that is dedicated to their service and sacrifice without the Honor Flight organization taking a hand.

We arranged for Dad to be on the flight and lead him to believe that he was going without one his family members going with him.  I was able to surprise him at the airport and spend the day honoring the man and other men who have given us our birthright as Americans.

The day was great in DC but the real highlight was when we returned to Myrtle Beach.  We got off the plane and there were a couple of folks at the gate to meet us.  The surprise was in the baggage claim area where I swear there was something like a thousand people waiting to great the returning veterans and to say thank you for their service.  We came down the elevator and turned the corner and there they were with the local Knights of Columbus in all their regalia forming a sword arch.  These veterans are not from the "dr. Spock" school of warm and fuzzy "share your feelings" moments.  Having said that many if not most were overwhelmed with emotion. 

It is truly amazing what a sincere thank you can mean.

Thank you Dad for you service to your Country and your family.  I can never repay all that you have done.  All I can do is try to do the same for Robbie and Anna Helen that you did for me.

We love you Pop.