Kate the Little Tree Climber!!

Invincible Kate thinks she can climb trees now.. She tells me she is very careful and she isn't going to fall, but mom is not as confident and just about had a heart attack when she looked out her bedroom window to see Kate about halfway up the tree for the first time. I asked her how she got up there, to which I was informed that Ella (her adorable friend) gave her a boost. How very nice of her! No matter how much Bryan and I tell her that is dangerous she insists that she is very careful and she will not fall. Good to know don't you think!! If only we could all be so confident as a 4 yr. old.

Kate about midway up the tree, looking mighty, mighty happy!

Ella and Kate- how precious is that!!

Jam Glorious Jam!!

I know! I know! You are all thinking I am crazy blogging about my jam, but I have to because I absolutely love it. Believe me- once you can your own jam you can never return to the horrible jam they sell at the store, there is absolutely no comparison. I am grateful to have a wonderful canning friend (along with our two wonderful husbands, who so willingly assist) who makes it so much fun. Thanks Michele!!
This year we canned an obscene amount of jam- over 60 jars, but I needed to make enough to supply my sweet mom and dad with a years supply also. Yes, they absolutely love it also and it is my own fault for getting them hooked on it in the first place. My mom likes to tease me about how domestic I am compared to her (Cooking and canning not her thing) , but it is because of her I am willing to try new things that at first seem difficult but then turn out to be fun and rewarding all at once. So thanks mom!
I enjoy my jam almost daily with my fix of peanut butter and enjoy the little reminder of childhood it gives me. So cheers to homemade jam- it is the very best!

It's a Birdcracker?

Bryan came home from Nicklas' soccer practice earlier this week with the cutest Kate story.

Kate came up to Bryan with this little stick she had found in the grass. The stick had two little holes in it and Bryan asked her who she thought made those holes in the stick.
Kate replied, "maybe a Birdcracker?"
Bryan was thinking what in the world is a birdcracker, finally he thought maybe she meant a woodpecker, so her asked her.
Kate said, "Yeah. A Woodpecker!"

I can just picture Kate's little face during this discussion and it just brings a smile to mine!

Let Soccer Season Begin!!

This past Saturday, April 17th marked the official beginning of our kids soccer seasons. We had games at 9:00, 11:00 and 2:30. Yes, that means we are a little crazy. I have to admit it was wonderful. I have always loved watching my boys play sports and this year Kate joins in the mix.

Nicklas' game started the day, and yes I am his mother, but he really is an awesome soccer player and I love watching him. He even scored a goal and his team won 4-0. Great Game Nick!

Kate's game was next and boy was that fun to watch, our little Kate getting in the mix of all those little 3-4 years olds kicking their legs everywhere. She played very well, (thanks to all the times Nick makes her practice with him) and unlike our last pre-K soccer experience with Nick- she didn't insist on holding the coaches hand the entire time. Way to go Kate!

Alex had the afternoon game and played his little heart out, as always. He is a very hard worker and tends to put it all out there when he plays. His team played a very talented team and lost
4-0, but they played them tough and it was fun to watch. Alex's footwork has improved so much since he started playing on his competition league and it has been lots of fun to watch him progress so much in the sport. Great playing Alex!

We are all excited for the season and look forward to the next 7 weeks of craziness. Practices every night of the week and games all day Saturdays. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Go REAL Salt Lake!!

My Handsome Sons!!

This year we are REAL Salt Lake Soccer season ticket holders. We are very excited about it and have made it through our first game on Apr. 10th and can't wait for the next one. The boys absolutely love it. They are both so into soccer right now that they think going to the Major League Soccer is a blast and I have to admit it is pretty darn fun now that I understand the game a lot better. 4 yr. old Kate even made it through the entire game though I am certain we won't take her to every one of them- she could probably enjoy a few more if I invested in a pair of pom-poms for the occasion. I hope the boys continue to enjoy it and it is quality family time.

Twinkle Toes!!

I have to share a very adorable story about my very adorable Kate. For several months, possibly close to a year now, my sweet daughter has been asking for these adorable shoes called "Twinkle Toes". Now, I have to admit it- "I am cheap". I rarely pay $40 for a pair of shoes for myself - let alone my 4 yr. old. SO... needless to say I had managed to hold her off by saying they did not come in her size, ( which originally was true)- next I tried the honesty approach by just stating they were too expensive. Well- they went on sale at Kohl's and I had a 30% off coupon so I broke down and purchased them with a little pressure from Nicklas in the mix also.

My sweet Kate is in heaven and thinks they are the most beautiful shoes and they even light up ( which I have managed to avoid light up shoes for 9 yrs. now- it figures the little girl would be able to wear me down on this one). Now I just have to hope her size 7 feet stay that size for at least a few more months. The upside is she enjoys walking on her own more so she can see them light up! Yeah for mom and dad!

Pure Delight!!

Look at those pretty Shoes!

Oh. Kate, Kate Kate!!

My sweet little Kate cracks me up. Last week I took Kate over to her friend Ella's house. As she was getting out of the car she says to me "How long do I get to stay?"
I said " I will be back to get you in about an hour."
She turns to me and says, " I can walk home."
To which I reply, " no, you are 4 and I will pick you up."
Kate then says, "But I really want to walk home."
Needless to say of course I picked her up, but I will never forget the look on her face when she told me she would walk home. I think Kate is 4 trying to skip ahead to 12.