Spring Sports

We're dabbling in spring sports. Penny started T-Ball in our township league this spring. She LOVES it. She is the kid who stands in the front and runs to get the ball almost every time it's hit a few feet off the T. She's working on her throw to first (it's a long way for little kids). And, most importantly, she's having fun. There are a few kids from daycare on her team and she's making new friends too.

In addition to T-Ball, she's running in the Health Kids Running Series races. She LOVES the 50 yard dash. She gets excited to wear her bib number and really has fun during the starting line warm up. During the first two weeks, she's placed 2nd and 3rd.  I'm so proud of her for giving it her all!

Both kids are doing swimming lessons (serious lack of photos here, because mom is usually in the water with Porter) and Penny's gearing up for her dance recital in June. I love the activities!

I love getting out to explore. And, Porter loves that there are playgrounds and rock piles near the baseball fields. He's been having a blast cheering big sister on and practicing with her in the yard at home. He has been hitting the ball off the T in our yard and we're hoping he'll be ready to play T-Ball himself next year. 

  

So thankful for spring!

Easter 2015

Before we hopped off on a little Easter getaway, we fit in a quick visit with the Bunny at Merry Mead Farm. We can't wait to spend more time at the farm this spring, summer and fall!

Oh- we also dyed some Easter eggs at home before we got on our way...the kids had fun watching the eggs change colors and Penny had fun decorating with stickers!

After Penny's last gymnastics class on Saturday (we're taking a few months off while she plays T-Ball), we hopped in the car and took Easter to Manasquan, NJ. We were able to rent a beach house for the weekend and were unexpectedly surprised with the cottage feel! The kids LOVED the claw footed tub. 

They pretty much LOVED everything about Easter this year. 

The beach was windy, but beautiful.

It's not often you see Nana & Papa on a beach :)

But lets get down to the real reason for our trip...Taylor Michael. The kids have a brand new cousin that they were itching to meet. 

Penny loved to hold him for 30 second intervals. Porter loved to touch his toes. 

It was nice to be able to spend time with our family and relax.

 

To dress up and give thanks for all our Easter blessings. And, to breathe the ocean air.  

I love seeing Nicole and Dave as parents. And my parents as grandparents again..it's just as magical for them every time. 

I love seeing my boys do boy things.

And this...it makes my heart so happy!

I read a blog post recently about how the common theme in Easter is love. For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son. This Easter was truly about love. Can't wait for more adventures with this crew!

Fiercely Independent

Porter's been walking independently for a little over a month. His confidence has grown to the point that he no longer wants or needs to hold my hand on most occasions. It's the want part that is hardest for me- this new found independence is difficult to accept...I want to hold his hand and keep him safe. I want to make sure that I'm there to catch him when he falls. I want to keep him in a bubble some days. And, he's letting me know, in the best way that he can, that it's OK for him to fall. He's not afraid. In fact, he's determined. Hands hit the ground and he immediately stands back up and motors along.

He still needs to grow stronger- he's not as steady on the downhill as he needs to be. He's going to fall, and sometimes fall hard. I need to accept that. My urge to chase him on the downhill is strong, but his willingness to try and try again is stronger.

His PT continues to challenge him with creative ways to strengthen his entire body. 

She understands his motivations- some days he wants a turn to direct his sister- to be the big helper :) She helps us challenge him. And the strength that he's developed over the past few months amazes me.  

At the same time, we're working on our listening skills. Because fierce independence in a crowd is a difficult arena for all of us to navigate. Safety is my main concern. He needs to be able to distinguish the sidewalk from the road. He wants to get the mail by himself when we get home from school, but he doesn't yet understand the stop, look, listen routine at the end of the driveway before stepping out into the road to open the mailbox. He wants to walk the mall by himself but doesn't understand that weaving between people may be easier for his three foot tall frame than it is for his taller mama. He wants freedom. We're both learning how to navigate this new space. And, for the next few months, while he's quicker and more agile than his pregnant mama, I may have to resort to using a leash. I swore I wouldn't, but I didn't anticipate that he'd become so quick so fast. 

The fun is just beginning! What seemed so far away just a few weeks ago is here. I'm looking forward to the adventures that lie ahead...our first trip to the zoo without a stroller is coming...I can feel it! And it feels really good. Keep up the good work little man!