Soccer, soccer, soccer

Ryan and Andi had their first joint practice last Friday.  I tell ya, these kiddos are troopers for playing in such extreme heat.  They loved every minute, though, so it's all worth it.

Andi's little friend, Penny, is super excited Andi joined because she didn't want to be alone with all the boys.  I don't blame her ;)

Saturday the heat was disgusting especially at 3pm.  The kids had red faces within the first five minutes of the game.  But seriously, this is going to be an awesome season.  They played so well and they won, according to their count.  8-6 with Jackson scoring four of those.  So fun to watch!!!

Cheerleaders included mom, dad, Andi, Cole and grandma and grandpa.

Our New Life - Work, School, Soccer, Flip...

This stage of our life will require me to dig down way deep and find that nurturing, supportive, patient, loving wife part of me.  I swear it's in there, somewhere, and it's about time I pull it out.  Along with running his own business, Andrew will now also be attending school for his teaching credential and Master's degree WHILE also working on flipping a house in Acton.  Oh, my!  The fact is, we know it's all supposed to be happening so we're putting our heads down and moving forward.  Go big or go home!  I know we'll make it but even more so, I know it'll be worth it!  

The kids' favorite past time, as of late, is sneaking my phone and photographing or videotaping one another!

One minimum day last week Jenny and I took the kids (ours, Spencers and Milhoans) to the pool because the afternoons have been deathly hot and miserable.  Cole, of course, spent more time chowing down than swimming but I suppose that's to be expected.

Thursday grandma shopping came over to watch the kids while I did Back to School Night and Andrew went to his first Thursday class.  The kids were happy to have some time with her.

Fridays are awesome because we get to hang with Baby Jake.  Seriously listening and watching Cole and Jake interact is one of my very favorite things.  On the way to preschool pick-up, they watched a "Jesus movie", as they've been coined, and got into an argument, of sorts.
"Baby Jake, it's Jesus!"
"No, Cole, it's Jesus Christ"
"No, Jesus!!!"
"Nooo, Jesus Christ"
Oh my, it was awesome.
That afternoon we took home nine kids - it's a good thing their booties are still teeny.

Friday was also Ryan's first soccer practice.  He is over to moon to be able to play with Carson and Brandon especially now that they are no longer in preschool together.  And I get to visit with their fabulous mommies.  The only downfall of this league is that it's all the way in Stevenson Ranch.  It's a bummer but it was cheaper and with good friends so it's all worth it.  Oh, and to top it off, they could still use players on their team so we decided that day to sign up Andi as well.  It's perfect!

Saturday morning breakfast - why they brought the toaster into the living room I'm not quite sure, but hey, at least they weren't bugging us at 6am.

LABOR DAY

We were supposed to be at Lake Mead Labor Day weekend and I'm not gonna lie, I was quite upset about not being able to go.  Escrow has just closed on the Acton house and our funds did not arrive in time so we were stuck at home.  When we got an invite for the beach Monday, I knew we needed to go because we were all going crazy being home so much.  It was a beautiful day in Malibu although I don't think I've ever been to the beach with such a crowd.  If we ever go again on Labor Day, we will be arriving no later than 11am because after that point, it's just plain crazy.

Britney talked me into boogie boarding - it's been years and it showed.  Man I'm lame!  Aside from having my clothes stripped off of me, my hair wrapped around my head and my clip being ripped off my board, it was a rather enjoyable experience.

Because Andrew is gone so much, the kids were super stoked he was able to come home in time to join us.

Andi had fun digging and of course collecting sand crabs.  She loved playing with all her little friends and has asked me multiple times today if she can have a playdate with "one of her best buddies from preschool that she doesn't see anymore but knows his name".  Hahaha, they crack me up.

Cole also loved digging and acting like various creatures crawling around the beach.  I love that this little guy can hold his own - it's just another thing that reminds me we are out of baby world... wohooo

I would venture to say Ryan and Jackson spent about three to four hours swimming, boogey boarding or playing in the water.  It wasn't until 4:15pm that Jackson came over to me to say they were done and ready to go home.  I love that these two have one another.

And so, today, we lounged and cleaned.  I got to work in Ryan's classroom and the kids got to hang with grandma shopping.  I found Andi singing and playing with her dolls on her bed and although toys are not allowed in the sleeping room, I couldn't make her break up her party.  It was too cute.
But I'm not real sure what to make of her song lyrics:
I love you with all my heart but no one else does, no one else does....
ummm, something along those lines....
interesting.....