Our Lil' Kicker

About two months ago, we signed Jack up for a soccer class - Lil' Kicker's. It is an indoor soccer league for kids. Perfect for the cold winter months, with the added bonus that they run the kids up and down and all around the soccer field. It is his first activity that does not involve parent participation. I thought that we might be banished from the class at first, but he has made tremendous strides since the first class.

You see, the kids form a circle in the beginning of each class to do their stretches (he's doing wonderful at this point, loving the stretches and playing with his friends). Well the coach tried to explain to the kids that the parents were not going to be participating in the class, but his choice of words send Jack over the edge. The coach said that the parents were going to leave, as in leave the field to watch from the bleachers. Jack thought he meant that the parents were leaving the building and it sent him into a horrible crying fit. Once I got him to stop crying, he was able to convince me that the only way he could play soccer was if I was on the field with him AND holding his hand the entire time. Yes, I was the only parent participating in the kids only class and feeling rather foolish. I don't know how those kids have so much energy! I was pooped after that class.

Now he runs out onto the field and doesn't even look back to see if we are watching. It is so much fun to watch these kiddos running around out there playing soccer. I was finally able to take some pictures. Enjoy!

Stretching and warming up.

Jack is in navy blue to the left of the girl in the pink outfit - that's Chloe, his best friend.

Playing red light, green light ;with his buddies Griffin & Brecken.

Run, run, run and then run some more.

Jack & Griffin listening very carefully to Coach Billy. This is a rare thing. These two boys are normally a couple of hooligans, running all around playing grab ass instead of soccer. Kind of makes me laugh a little because I got in trouble for the same thing on the softball field. I still remember trying so hard not to laugh at Coach Silver while he yelled at me for playing grab ass my senior year of high school. Oh well, Jack comes by it naturally.....

Learning to stand

Ben is learning to pull himself up to the standing position. He has even let go and stood on his own for a few seconds at a time. It's so cute... he will stand up and hold onto the table, then look down at his feet as if trying to figure out how to make them move. He thinks he's such hot stuff - this picture says it all.

Playing in the cupboards

Since the weather has been so cold and we've had some snow the past few days, we have had to get a little creative to keep the boys entertained. One of their favorite things to do lately is clean out the bottom shelf of the cupboard and climb into it (okay, Ben had some help).

In case you are wondering why Jack is wearing his pajamas, it is because he is obsessed with these Lightning McQueen jammies that he got for Christmas. He wants to wear them ALL the time. I keep waiting for the day that I have to explain to him that even though some of the people who shop at Wal-Mart wear their pajamas and slippers to the store, it is NOT okay! Seriously, every time I go to the Wal-Mart near our house I see at least one grown woman wearing slippers and I have to shake my head. I don't know how I got off on such a tangent there, sorry about that.

Playing a little game of peek-a-boo. Ben thinks this so funny.
Ben likes to help Daddy play x-box.

Fire Station Tour

On Tuesday this week, Jack's preschool class took a field trip to the downtown Sparks fire station. Wayne and Keith (Jack's friend Chloe's dad) work together on the same shift and gave the tour for the class on their day off. Jack and Chloe seemed pretty unimpressed, but the other kids had a blast.

Here they are in the engine bay- looking up at the fire pole in amazement.

Here's Wayne sliding down the pole.

Learning about Stop, Drop and Roll. Jack and Chloe were the only 2 kids who didn't want to try it.

Inside the lobby of the fire station.