Quotables: Music

Me: "Do you want to listen to some music, buddy?"
Noah: "Sure!"
Me: "What do you want to listen to?"
Noah: "Ummmm, Justin Bieber!"
Me: "Really? Um, no."
Noah: "Awww, nuts!"

Halloween Costumes

For Halloween Abby is dressing up as a jellyfish and Noah a pufferfish. For weeks they've teased each other about the injury they will cause the other on Halloween (we aren't a violent family not sure why they are saying it.) Lots of references to stinging and poking the other one. So last week we were driving in the car and I overheard this from the front.... Abby: Noah, when I'm a jellyfish, I'm going to sting you with my testicles. Me (trying not to sound alarmed): What?!?!!?! Abby:Oh wait, I think I mean my tentacles, is that it? Me: Yes, Yep, that's what she said. She never asked what a testale was so I never told her. Oh child.

What a good kid. Sometimes.....

Noah got a prize for having an accident free day.  When he was picking out of the treasure chest (mostly bite-sized candy bars) he said "me have two candy bars?"
I replied "No, you can have one candy bar."
He said "Me break this one in half?"
Me: "Why?"
Noah: "To share with Abby!"

So.  Freakin.  Adorable.  He can be a pretty cute kid when he tries....

Bobo Visit

Bobo came to visit back in August, sorry for the late post, life just gets in the way. It was a quick weekend visit and it was hot. I mean it's August in St. Louis, of course it was hot. We did get in a quick trip to the St. Louis Zoo as the awesome penguin display was about to go off display for almost two years while they construct a new polar bear display next door. It will be great when its done but in the mean time its chopping out one of our favorite things to see.

 This was right before I picked up Noah and we were peering into the tank and a penguin splashed us, sending water all over Noah's face and into my mouth. Not my favorite memory of the zoo, but one I will never forget!

 We waited and waited but the baby elephant wasn't going to come any closer.

 Bobo brought these huge helium balloons, one of which had a minor accident before it ever got in the air. They were remote controlled but not for outside, the guys tried to tie it to fish line but it didn't work very well.

 Before Bobo left Abby put her running skills to the test, racing Bobo around the circle. She thought she was so funny telling him to go one way while she went the other.

Thanks for visiting Bobo!

Disney on Ice

It's an annual event around here Disney on Ice. The kids love this stuff. This year both were excited because the show not only had many of their favorite princesses but also Buzz and Woody from Toy Story. One little man could hardly sit still when they came out on the ice.

 She did leave the hat in the car, despite wanting to bring it inside. I reminded her there was no need for it in a dark, cold ice rink.

 We only sat down about 15 minutes before the show started, people were still filling in during the first dance number, the place was packed for the show.

 This is the happy Princess during intermission. I think she could watch the skaters everyday.

Abby's First Goal!

This has been over a year in the making.  All last soccer season, Abby talked about scoring a goal.  It was a huge (pardon the pun) goal of hers.  She tried hard, but to no avail.  The other kids were just bigger than she was.  She really didn't touch the ball more than a few times a game.  She was always the kid running behind the entire pack and only if it happened to come to her did she actually touch it.  She just didn't want to get bumped around and knocked down.

This year, she's in the same league (a 3's and 4's league).  So, she's one of the big kids this year.  The first game was very hopeful.  In the first 10 minutes she had the ball A LOT.  It was crazy.  She probably touched it more in those ten minutes than the vast majority of last year.  This was mostly because the other kids didn't really know what to do.  But, she did.  In that time she got a few really good shots on goal, but none of them went in.  Then the other kids started to catch on and Abby didn't touch the ball nearly as much from them on.  I was worried she missed her shot (again, really bad pun) at getting a goal.  The rest of that game she was more reserved and didn't want to really get "in there" to get the ball.

Abby's favorite past time while the ball isn't in play:

The second game started out similar.  She had a few touches, but nothing much.  And then about halfway through the game, she had a breakaway.  She started with the ball fairly close to her goal and dribbled all the way to the goal.

I thought this was it.  

And then she shot it just wide.

That must have given her some confidence because then she just did awesome.  We had practiced "bumping" before this game and I told her it was ok to bump and maybe even fall down.  You just have to get back up and keep going.  Before this, whenever she would fall down, it lead to lots and lots of tears.  So, when we were practicing, I would purposely bump her and "fight" for the ball.  Clearly that helped.  For the next ten minutes she was doing awesome.  It helped that it was near the end of the game and the other kids were getting tired and not paying attention.

Abby was also getting better about not needing me on the field with her.  Parents are allowed to go on the field if needed.  All last season, I couldn't be more than 20 feet away or Abby would cry when she realized I wasn't there.  This season I was able to mostly stand on the sidelines and even sit down!  Crazy!  She was so brave.

Abby was in the midst of the group and got knocked down.  She got right back up without a tear!  Wow!  Who is this kid?

The other team had a goal kick on the left side of the field.  I was out there with her this time for some reason.  All the other players were just kind of standing around not paying attentions.  Seeing this as her chance, I had Abby move over in front of the goalie.

The goalie kicked it right to her.  Abby took the ball and went right to the goal.  There were no other kids around (Abby almost had goals earlier, but some of her teammates stole it from her!).

Abby was almost to the goal as the goalie was still running back to the goal.  Abby kicked it with the goalies back turned.

Just as the goalie was turning around the ball was going past her.  She didn't have time to react and the ball went just inside the post.  FINALLY!  Abby has been talking about scoring a goal for over a year!

She was sooooo excited.  It just happened that I was on the field with her and Peggy just happened to be right there taking pictures.  So cool!

Excited daddy and excited girl!

Yelling "goooooooaaaalllllll!"

The next game, she decided she was "going to score three goals!"  She didn't get a goal, but she certainly tried!

It's been really cool to see her confidence grow throughout this season.  Yes, there are still some tears and fear of not wearing her hat in the sun (this is the only time she uses sunscreen instead of a hat to cover her nose).  But, overall she's really come a long way this season.

Quotables: Buying a Car

I told the kids we're going to look at cars this morning.  Abby gets excited and asks if we're buying one today.  I said no.
Abby: "why not?"
Me: "Because they cost a lot of money.  Do you have enough money?"
Abby: "yeah.  I have like 49!"
Me: "Dollars?"
Abby: "no, 49 cents."