Kiddie Kickers

Tuttle and Gigi had their first soccer practice yesterday. We signed up through the YMCA with several families from the neighborhood and preschool. There are 10 kids on the team, and we know 8 of them. While I was not impressed with t-ball through the YMCA this summer, I was optimistic that soccer would be more organized and keep the kids' interest.

This picture makes me laugh! Tuttle does not approve of how many pictures I take!

Since no one volunteered to coach our team, the athletic director stepped up to help. We lucked out BIG TIME! Coach Bobby engaged the kids the entire time, gave clear directions, and made practice so much fun. All the parents were already impressed how organized the kids were on the field. :)
 

Maggie also loved all the room to run around the field. I can see another soccer player in our future!

 

I am always so proud of Tuttle for listening to his teachers and coaches and following directions. He is such a good boy.

 

Go Kiddie Kickers!!

Welcome Tea

This morning I took the kids to the Welcome Tea at their preschool to celebrate the start of a new year. 

The only reason these pictures were successful is because I bribed the three year olds with real stamps for their letters while they were playing post office. :)

Gigi and Tuttle are in the same class again with the same teacher. They will attend school three days a week this year. I absolutely love the lead teacher Ms. Sarah because she always challenges the students beyond what I think they are capable of learning. The new assistant teacher, Ms. Kris, is actually one of my friends from the neighborhood. I know Tuttle will have another fabulous year at OPP. 

This is Tuttle at the Welcome Tea last year. Such a baby!!

Tuttle, Maggie, and Gigi had a fun morning exploring the classroom and the playground.

Up Next: Soccer starts this afternoon for Tuttle and Gigi!

Legoland and a Datenight

We had a very fun and busy weekend. Tuttle is currently in love with Legos. His attention span while playing with them is incredible. He will play for HOURS with Legos and can create such imaginative things. He recently noticed the Legoland sign when we were driving to church, so I promised we would go soon.

Aunt Peach came over to watch Maggie Saturday, so the morning could be completely focused on Tuttle. He had the best time at Legoland!

We were all impressed with the room that had Atlanta made out of Legos. It had every important landmark you could think of from The Varsity to Stone Mountain. The Lego Turner Field had the stands filled with hundred of Lego sports fans. :)

Tuttle's favorite part was the first ride that allowed the passengers to shoot bad Lego men with laser guns. He also enjoyed the karaoke area where he sang "Old Mcdonald Had a Farm." The 4D movie scared him a little bit, but he survived!

We ended the day building with Legos. Daddy and Tuttle created a huge police car train.

Later Saturday evening Gram came over to babysit, so Jay and I could have a datenight. We ate sushi at our local spot, The One. We could not recommend the restaurant more. Their food presentation is BEAUTIFUL, and everything is always fresh. Because we had been so busy all day (Jay even woke up at 5:45  to get a new license and helped a friend move), we returned  home before 9pm! My mom was shocked that we were back so soon, but I knew we would have fallen asleep if we had gone to a movie.

Today was Promotion Sunday at church, so Tuttle and Maggie met their new teachers. I am especially excited for Tuttle because his new class is much more structured than the nursery setting, and each week they will focus on a different Bible lesson. I cannot wait to see how much he learns about God and Jesus with his sweet teachers. 

We have one more week until school starts. I think everyone is ready for the structure and fun that preschool brings!

Caught in the Act

Jay and I have come to accept that our sweet little girl is really a spit fire.

She is so full of personality, and her true colors are shining through. Maggie may only be one year old, but she will climb to the top of the playground set or fight her brother full out for a toy. While Tuttle is the rule follower, Maggie looks for things to get her in trouble! :)

One of her favorite pastimes is taking one of Tuttle's toys, sticking it in her mouth (especially Legos), and literally RUNNING away from anyone who tries to take it. She finds this game hilarious!

I may need therapy after her teenage years.

Busy, Busy, Busy

I have been trying to keep three kids very busy for the remainder of the summer. Everyone just seems much happier to be on the move and trying out fun activities. School starts in two more weeks, so we have been having a blast together despite the rain almost EVERY DAY!

Here are some of our highlights from the past few weeks:

Zoo Atlanta

The zoo recently opened a splash pad, so this past week we spent all our time at the playground, the splash pad, and the zoo rides (the train and the carousel). I love how much the zoo how to offer!

Fortunately, we have found a sunny day here or there for some time at the YMCA pool.

The kids always enjoy going to the grocery which mean a free cookie and sometimes a balloon. :) You have to get creative to seat three kids in a shopping cart!

Since meeting the police was such a hit, a small group of mommies met up Monday to visit the fire station. The firefights are always so flexible when we just show up to explore the trucks and gear. I make sure to bring cookies or doughnuts to sweeten the deal.

Tuttle and Gigi's favorite activity at home right now is taking care of the sick stuffed animals with the doctor kit. Apparently we have a lot of germs floating around the house because the "hospital" is always full of sick patients! :)

Tuttle, Maggie, and Gigi are such sweet kids, and I am lucky to spend my days with them.

Brookhaven Police Meet and Greet

Today I organized a "Meet and Greet" with the new Brookhaven police force and a group of kids in the area. I was thrilled at the turnout and even more thrilled that the rain held off! Last night I checked the weather, and there was a 50-60% chance of rain predicted for the time I had scheduled the police officers to come to the park. Luckily it was only cloudy and cool. :)

Tuttle has been OBSESSED with police officers and bad guys recently, and he was beyond excited to meet "real" police officers and check out their cars and gear.

The officers were so friendly and sweet to the kids. Tuttle and Gigi climbed in and out of the police cars multiple times!

The backseat was a favorite spot for most of the kids. They loved the bars on the windows.

Maggie got in on the action, as well. She seemed a little too happy in the backseat of a cop car. When her friend, Harper, got in the back with Maggie, Harper was crying while Maggie was rolling around and laughing. I better not see my fiesty little girl in a cop car again! :)

Maggie also loved exploring the driver's seat. She was the very impressed when she found the button to make the siren go off VERY LOUDLY! She loved it and threw a fit when I pulled her out!

I setup a craft for all of the kids to make once they were done visiting with the police officers. Each kid made their own police badge. They turned out really cute!

Thank you so much for a GREAT morning, Brookhaven Police Force!

Dear God

Yesterday I heard Tuttle pray on his own for the first time ever! :) He and Gigi were playing with Play-Doh at the kitchen bar when I looked over and saw Tuttle with his eyes closed and prayer hands in place. This was the prayer masterpiece:

Dear God,

I love you so much.

Please give me and Maggie lots of toys.

I love you so much.

Amen.

It about melted my heart.

Apparently this is how we roll at the Thorne house for dinner. The outfit is complete with a pirate hat, a superhero cape, a Christmas tshirt, and no pants (of course!).

On a side note, Maggie absolutely loves our dog. I know Bella (aka Smelly) thinks her prayers have been answered with the extra attention because she has gotten less and less as more babies have been added to our family. On the other hand, a baby that wants to ride you and reach her hand into your bowl while you are trying to eat may not be a positive thing!

Happy Hump Day!

Our Weekend

We had a pretty low key weekend which was much needed after my first week back at work. Although we stayed around the house, there is never a dull moment with my family. :)

Tuttle the Mechanic helped Daddy fix the Wagoneer.

Maggie admired her daddy while he read her a book. Such a sweet moment.

Tuttle and Maggie actually played within a foot of each other without fighting!!

 

Tuttle enjoyed a little fishing.

I successfully took a sibling picture after church today!

Daddy squeezed his head into a toddler football helmet to appease his three year old.

I wanted to remember two funny things that Tuttle said at church this week.

1. Tuttle requested to go to "Big Church" with me instead of his nursery class. As the congregation was singing from the hymnal, I looked down to find Tuttle with a hymnal open and could hear him singing something. When I leaned in closer, I could hear, "head, shoulders, knees, and toes."

2. After the service, I dropped Tuttle in his nursery class, so I could attend a meeting. When I picked him up, I asked what he did in "Little Church." He responded, "We didn't have snack, and we didn't learn about God." Apparently he was disappointed that his class went outside to play on the playground!