We're back to spending most every evening outside again thankfully. For so long it was too hot but not any more. The boys especially like to pull out Benji's bow and arrow and Travis captured Peter taking this great shot the other night.
Some nights we just hang out on the front porch while the boys ride bikes. Peter also finally learned to ride his bike without training wheels! All on his own! We were so proud.
I seem to have lots of pictures of Nora. Probably because she is a goof. And a doll.
One day, I caught her running outside carrying this blanket and piglet. All she wanted to do was come sit on the wall and watch her brothers.
Sharing her snack with the kitty one day.
Moving onto the boys... After loving preschool the first week, Benji started having meltdowns every single morning when I went to drop him off. I had no idea (and still don't) what was the matter and NOTHING I could think of would fix it. It got so bad he would run screaming after me in the parking lot as I went out to the car. The teachers said he usually was fine after only a few minutes of crying but one day he got pretty grumpy and sassy with his teachers and was sent to time out and was told he could rejoin the class when he was ready to behave. Well. Benji is sooo stubborn he stayed in that chair for the ENTIRE THREE HOURS refusing to get up and play! I was pretty upset with him that night and made him write an apology card to his teacher and we talked for a looong time about acceptable behaviors.
Over the next week or so he started getting noticeably better at drop off, which was great. Some days were better than others until I had a great idea. Their preschool would be hosting a grandparents day that next week and so we started talking about it. A lot. Both sets of his grandparents live out of state, however, but we do have an amazing adopted grandma - Barbara - who agreed to come for Benji. I knew it would be devastating for our little man to be the only kid not have a grandparent come so I was so thankful she could make it. He kept asking me every day "Is Barbara coming to my preschool today?" and "Will she really stay with me?" and "She'll really stay the WHOLE time??"
Suffice to say, it did the trick. Knowing that she was coming, he started getting more and more comfortable at school until after that visit, we've never had a problem at drop off since! Thank heavens for angels in the guise of sweet friends!
A few weeks ago soccer finally started up. Benji was beyond excited to be able to play this year. He's in Jamboree - which isn't a team but a parent/child weekly practice/game scenario-thing combined.
HE LOVES IT!
Benji is already quite engaged with the sport and shows lots of drive. I'm so glad we have something that is just where we can cheer Benji on because I think he feels left out quite easily and this is perfect for him!
Peter is also playing again this year. He lucked out and wound up with his best friend Noah on his team the Jedi Knights this year and we've really enjoyed watching him so far. While not the best player (by far) you can't fault the kid his enthusiasm. I can tell he's improving but he still isn't as aggressive as the other kids which basically makes snack time his favorite part of the game.
Oh well, this is how we learn.
And this is how we will spend every Saturday from now until November.
