Pool play
Jake is such a great dad. I love that he gets right in the pool with the kids – despite how cold the water is! The boys love it too. He’s also doubles as their own personal jungle gym at times.
Tag: fatherhood
Taking the field
Let the fun begin! Nolan and Jake headed to the soccer field tonight for Nolan’s 1st game 🙂 It was fun to watch the kids play. You can definitely tell the difference between the 6 year olds (several who have played before) and the 4 year olds. The older kids “get” the concept of trying to kick the ball toward the opposite goal, while the younger ones just like to watch the others play and cheer them on. It’s really cute! The kids play 5 minute periods and then switch positions. The great thing about the league is that there aren’t any refs. The coaches are on the field with the kids and coach them as they play. I think it’s a great way for them to learn some of the fundamentals about the game while also having fun. It’s totally a no-pressure game.
Father’s Day and 50 years
We spent Father’s Day at my parents’ house this year. The weather was beautiful! We played in the backyard, which the kids loved. Bocce ball, hula hoops, wiffle ball, oh and of course, “water squirters!” Good times.
After dinner, we headed to Jake’s grandparents’ 50th anniversary party. 50 years! What an awesome event to celebrate! Jake had taken some of their wedding slides and scanned them, so those at the party were able to “relive” the original celebration along with Lois & Dale. (Photos taken by Jake’s cousin, Beth.)
Garbage truck assembly
Nolan received a Lego garbage truck set for his birthday from his May birthday buddy, C.
I’m not sure who had more fun putting it together – Jake or Nolan!
Soccer star
Last year, Nolan received a soccer goal from Uncle Tony for his birthday. He enjoys scoring goals in the backyard, so we asked if he wanted to give soccer a try. Once of his buddies (a little guy we met in ECFE class) was playing, so we signed him up to play on the same team. Tonight was their first soccer practice. the team is made up of 4, 5 & 6 year olds. I think that’s quite an age range difference, but I suppose it makes sense to have at least a couple of kids who “get” what the goal of the game is. (Pun intended :)) Here’s the little guy decked out in his spankin’ new shin guards and soccer socks.
Oh, and one other note. Jake is coaching Nolan’s team. He offered to help out if no other parents stepped forwards. Well, apparently no one was up for the task, so he agreed to give it a try. It should be a fun summer season!
Water toys galore!
The boys broke out Nolan’s new birthday presents and had a blast playing in the backyard. He received a beach ball sprinkler from Auntie Kari, water guns from our friends, the A’s, and a huge water squirter & squid diving toys from the F’s. Jake filled a metal bin full of water, turned on the sprinkler, and let them play till they shivered! For the record, it wasn’t cold out, but the water was definitely chilly!
The party
We celebrated Nolan’s birthday (with extended family & friends) a week later than his actual birthday. His request was to have a balloon pit, similar to the one Jake made for New Year’s Eve. He was happy to oblige, with a minor change in location. We assembled our indoor play yard fence in the porch and let the balloon blowing begin. Thanks to the air compressor, Jake, Uncle Tony, Nolan and Lincoln quickly filled the oval shaped pit with over 100 balloons and beach balls.
I took the easy way out this year and purchased a birthday cake from the grocery store. Nolan picked out WALL-E for the decorative picture. Hopefully next year I’ll feel up to putting together another homemade creation for his celebration.
The kids who joined in the fun seemed to really enjoy themselves – even the babies took part in the action 🙂 After all, who can resist that many balloons?!?
Endings and beginnings
Today was Nolan’s last day of preschool. I can hardly believe his first year of school is now finished. He has grown and changed so much over the school year. We are so proud of all that he has learned, tried, and done. I know the success of this past year is due in large part to the wonderful teachers he had. He came home with a DVD full of pictures from the year along with a memory book – such a wonderful way to get a snapshot of the year (no pun intended :))
In the evening, Jake decided to have the boys plant our garden. Once again, we’re giving it a go. We planted corn, sunflowers, cucumbers, spinach, peppers, tomatoes & pumpkins. We’ll see what pops up (and what we end up being able to eat!)
Nolan’s 4th birthday!
Today, our bigger little man turns 4! I can hardly believe it! I’ve already spent some time reflecting back on the events of the day he came into the world 4 years ago. It was pretty crazy. My water broke as I drove to work, I ended up driving myself to the hospital (something Jake made me promise would never happen again,) I couldn’t find the admitting desk at the hospital and the volunteer at the front door was no help, and Jake couldn’t find me for at least 45 minutes once I was settled in the evaluation area. However, once we were situated in our hospital room and I had my epidural, everything else was smooth sailing. Nolan arrived in the early evening and I was instantly in love. But enough with the sappy reminiscing. 🙂
It’s been a fun 4 years, Nolan! Your daddy and I love you so much and are so proud of who you are becoming!
Swimming with Daddy
Jake took the boys to the gym and went swimming. They really love the water. Lincoln especially loves splashing and Nolan is becoming quite the jumper from the edge of the pool.
