First Day of Preschool

 Today was Hayden's first day at preschool.  He was so excited for school that he was dressed and ready to go before Mom and Dad were even out of bed.  Besides having a sick sister, today was a golden day for him.  He dutifully smiled for many pictures from me.  And when he was dropped off, he is let out by a teacher at the front door, he grabbed his bag and said "Goodbye Dad, Goodbye Mommy" and was off like a flash without a look back.  As Clare realized that we were leaving Hayden behind, she got very upset.  She's not used to not having her playmate for any amount of the day gone.  She survived since I lavished her with attention this morning (a commodity she has had to share since birth.)  During the ride home he said he liked that school and he wanted to go back!  Here's to a good first day!

Summer Soccer for Hayden

 We thought we would give soccer another season since we only had 6 sessions.  It turns out, it is still like herding cats.  So officially we're taking a break from it because we can't stand another cartwheel in the field when Mom's and Dad's inner athletes are saying "Push, don't lay down, work harder".  We had to remind ourselves that yes, he is 3.  Anyway, he was actually getting the hang of it.  It is quite backward from what you teach them for all the years preceeding this moment upon entry into sports.  Don't take a ball from another kid (except for now).  Pushing isn't okay (except when you're trying to get into a huddle around a ball to get your feet on it).  Anyway, we finally got it and he actually was managing to steal the ball from other kids and to score goals (albeit there are no goalies at this age.)  Still pretty cute little guy.  Can't help taking pictures of him.

 

Baby soccer player in training.  Hanging on the coaches every drill.

Little Man Starts Soccer

Hayden is now old enough to take part in some soccer programs.  He has done gymnastics in the past and loved it and we thought we would start introducing him to the idea of a physical game with rules.  In this outdoor league for the little ones, there is a 25 minute practice and then a game following.   There is a lot of parents yelling "NO! go the other way"  and "Please stop laying on the goals".  But it does just start getting them comfortable with the idea of a game.  One ball and actually being allowed to take it from the other kid.  I mean shocking, taking the ball from someone when we've worked so hard to get them to share right?  Kind of funny.  Not only that, but you can only use your feet to take it away.  No wonder they look at us like we're crazy.  Occasionally, the more physically aggressive boys would form a dog pile on the a kid who got tired of it and laid on the ball in a fetal position.  Mainly, it was like herding cats.  One can only hope that at the end of the 8 weeks, he'll want to keep learning this game and have a basic understanding.  Its pretty precious to see this little guy in his soccer getups though!

 

Meeting his very young coach

Cutey on her dad's arm in her sun hat

Does this guy look ready?  More of a basketball pose, but still, in the zone.

Love the shinguards.  Had no idea that they made them this small.  He was worried when he got a grass stain on them. 

A little team meeting.

Running with his teammates

Getting a little bored at the game

Distracting the players and flirting a bit.

Daddy given a little end of the game encouragement

Hayden's Tractor Party

So Hayden turned 3 and before we moved we wanted to give him his own little bash with his buddies in New Mexico. He was set on a tractor themed party and as it turns out that is not the easiest thing to find. So I made some banners from tractor fabric and ordered the balloons from Amazon. We had pull back tractors in the party favors and invitations with tractors on them. If we'd been in Kansas, I would have had boatloads of people with tractors and tractor rides would have been on the docket. However, we just stuck with a bouncer this time. It burns a lot of energy off for kids and off sets the sugar they eat. We had a morning shindig and so a cinnamon roll cake was in order. Hayden loves cinnamon rolls and can eat them thanks to his Grandma B's recipe she cooked up for him. She still makes them better than I do though. We'll blame in on the altitude though. He had a fun time with his friends and it was good to have their parents who are our friends in our house to celebrate one last time.











Shocked that even with a bouncer, the kids were interested in the toy baskets.





Little man so excited to hear "Happy Birthday" being sung to him.





Getting ready to chow down.






Gave the little ones their chance in the bouncer after the bigger kids got worn out.





The action wore out the littlest ones.

Hayden's 3rd Birthday

Can't believe we've hit 3. I can't really remember what life or I was like 3 years ago because so much has changed now that its like he's always been here. But at the same time 3 years seemed a long way off when we brought him home from the hospital. I mean it's just right around the corner from kindergarten! So here he is on his actual birthday which was spent quietly at home together. We made it a fun day for him doing things he enjoys and making him cinnamon rolls that he likes. He opened his gifts (which have been unfortunately put into storage until mid February.) He has hit 3 with roaring ferocity! He is stretching his baby wings and trying to gain more independence every day. I love him so much and just when he pushes you too far, he charms you again with what is going on in that smart and sweet little mind of his. He is a great and complex little man and am excited to see what the next year brings for him!





Hayden and Daddy playing with his first Hotwheels track



Safety first, compliments of mama



For our first bicycle that is a balance bike






Taking it for a test drive. Mountains in background (tear)









Yum!

Hayden's First Day at Preschool!!!!

Our little man who we welcomed a mere 2 years, 7 months and 23 days ago (technically 24 as I am writing this because yesterday was the big day), is off to preschool. His teachers are very nice and he likes them. He didn't fuss or cry (though I never expected that from him because he's never been that kind of kiddo) and when I came to pick him up he ran from me screaming "NOOOOOOO!" Apparently home isn't providing enough stimulation these days despite my best efforts. He's been ready to strike off into the world since he could walk. Anyway, we did the pictures, celebrating the big day for him. We're so proud of him and are excited to see him grow in the next school year!