Carter + Soccer = FUN!

We are officially sport parents.  And I don't think Adam will mind when I speak for him and say we both LOVE it!  Carter had his first soccer game on Saturday and I am not sure who had more fun.  I was a little concerned that he might score on the wrong goal...which would totally be ok...or that he wouldn't be aggressive enough to go after the ball...again, no big deal.  But Carter did great!  He scored several goals...and was always right near the ball trying to get a kick in. 

I snapped way too many pictures...but here are my favorites.









Carter's fan club...



Doesn't he look like a natural?



Water break:



I forgot to mention that Ben will NOT leave the house on practice days or game days without a pair of soccer socks on! They are so big that I can never get shoes on him so he just runs all over the field sock footed. Silly boy! Thankful those soccer socks game in a 2-pack...they have helped us avoid many tears!



And here is a video of some of the game. 
#9 from the dark blue team will be an excellent goalie one day...he really enjoyed picking up the ball.


C 1st Soccer Game 9.12 from Tracy Lovelady on Vimeo.

Ben Birthday

Ben turned 2 on August 30!!! Really can't believe that two years have gone by since he was born. Our little baby is now a big boy. Truthfully, I think he was determined from day one to not be "little" in any way, shape, or form. He put on the pounds very quickly...he tries to keep up with big brother in everything he does...and he is expressing himself with simple but impressive sentences which is so fun to see.

I love this collage that shows how he has changed in the last 12 months!



Here is a rundown of how we celebrated his special day!

We had a quick birthday celebration in the morning at our apartment...



He opened one present from mom and dad...



And the boys put on quite a show!

That morning I took the boys to the mall because Carter asked to give Ben a "build-a-bear" for his birthday. (I think Carter wanted another excuse to enjoy the "build-a-bear" experience...but still, it was sweet!





Daddy met us for lunch at Chick-fil-A...





And we had green icing cookies for dessert...Ben's choice. :)



That afternoon we went over to our new house to open presents from the grandparents and cousins! Carter made the banner for Ben.



And our sweet new neighbor made a cake for Ben!



Ben (and Carter) enjoyed opening all of the presents...



And then it was playtime!







Brothers on scooters...look out neighborhood!



That weekend, we enjoyed a visit from Poppa & Nana...and we decided to continue the celebration at Pullen Park with cupcakes,a choo choo ride and a carousel ride!







It was a wonderful day/weekend celebrating our little B...

And here is a video of some of the celebration...

Gram's Birthday

We enjoyed having Gram in town for her birthday this year! 

Carter woke her with a sweet Happy Birthday hug...then Gram and Ben got to open a birthday present.  (Ben has been ready for his birthday since Carter's birthday in June and Gram really wanted to be there when Ben opened his present from her...so they had a dual celebration on Sunday morning!)



They boys gave her flowers. ($ store flowers since her cat likes to eat the real version!)



Ben dancing to his musical birthday card..



We had cake...and some interesting math to use the 4 candle...the only one we still had unpacked.



It was a fun day and we enjoyed celebrating with Gram! She does so much for us...and even on this day she kept the boys so Adam and I could get some work done on the new house...so thanks, Gram and Happy Birthday!

The First Day of School

The boys have officially started their new preschool! 

Ready to go...



Actually...Ben was ready yesterday! Luckily, I found both backpacks post move. When Ben saw his, he immediately put it on and started saying "Ben go school, Ben ready school." Then I had to tell him that school was tomorrow, not today. Ben's next thought? "Ben, go night night" I told you he was ready!

A quick brother hug before the ride to school...



Carter running to get to his classroom...Ben stopping to check out every single plant along the path. Very typical of their personalities!



Carter with one of his teachers...



Ben wasted no time getting to work...



I tried to get a picture of him with one of his teachers...but he was too busy!



The preschool at this church is set up on the lower level and we park and come in at the upper level. The downstairs hallway is a little narrow, so they have the parents pick the kids up at the upper level. The kids come up the elevator as a class. Here is what I saw when Ben's class came up...



And he ran straight to me and gave me a great big hug! I was still busy hearing all about Ben's day when Carter's class came up the elevator...but I will get an elevator shot of him the next time.

It was a great first day! Both boys had a good time...and the teachers gave good reports.

Yay!