Ducks and soccer…

"If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family anatidae on our hands."
-Douglas Adams

Isla had an adventure this week when a mommy duck and her ducklings somehow got into our neighbor’s pool.  One duckling, and we have no idea how it did this, ended up in our yard.  Momma duck was not happy about this, but Isla was able to get the duckling into a pot so that it could be handed over the fence.  The duckling was reunited with it’s siblings, and then the neighbor spent the next hour trying to get the ducks out of his pool.  This was the highlight of Isla’s week.

James’s soccer season is nearing it’s end, only two more games to go.  James is showing more potential as a defense player and his coach has commented on his ability to quickly pass the ball to the right player.  A lot of kids try to kick it down field as soon as they get it but James is more tactical.

A weekend of sports…

"You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy."
-Arthur Ashe

This was a weekend of sports.  It started with a soccer game at an indoor field (which was behind glass, making pictures a challenge).  James had a great game, setting up multiple plays including one that ended up with a goal.  Watching James have fun on the field never gets old, he really has a passion for playing soccer.

Ashlyn had her last meet of the season.  She was part of the largest group I’ve seen in a competition, over 20 girls were in her division alone.  This made placing more challenging, but Ashlyn had a good meet overall.  Her confidence is improving on beam and vault, so next season’s meets should be interesting.

A weekend of soccer and birthday celebrations..

"As you get older three things happen. The first is your memory goes, and I can’t remember the other two."
–Sir Norman Wisdom

Mommy’s birthday was this weekend and we wanted to celebrate all weekend instead of just on the big day.  Our friends came over on Friday, and while the kids played we made a big batch of crawfish.  Afterwards we sang happy birthday (which Mommy was very happy about) and ate some cake.  It’s a good start!

James had a soccer game on Saturday and afterwards said it was the best game he’s played.  He’s probably right, he was all over the ball and got to play multiple positions including striker.  The hard work James has been putting in is paying off, and we’re proud of the progress he’s making.

On Mommy’s actual birthday the kids gave her presents and baked a cake for her.  It wasn’t as crazy of an event as the crawfish boil, but it was still fun to celebrate our favorite person’s birthday.

Happy birthday Mommy, we love you!!

Happy Easter!

"There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate."
-Linda Grayson

Easter arrived this weekend, and as it happens every year the kids ran downstairs to see what the bunny brought them in their Easter baskets.  The combination of toys, games, and candy is always fun for the kids and it gets them awake and excited to go hunt for eggs.

After the baskets were emptied the kids went outside to start the Easter egg hunt.  This year the eggs were color coordinated for each kid so eggs could be hidden based on their ages.  This meant eggs were hidden high and low, and all but one were found.  I’m happy to report the final egg was discovered later in the afternoon, so no candy was lost.

The kids would love to spend all day hunting for eggs, but alas they were limited to only two this year (they aren’t spoiled at all, right?).  Grandma and Grandpa came over to hide some eggs, this time with a twist.  In order to get all the eggs, the kids were required to walk like a chicken, land a ball into a cup, move sand around with a spoon, and other acts.

It was another fun Easter for the kids, and we’re looking forward to one final egg hunt in a few weeks when we get the family together at Nina and Papa’s!