SSSSSSoccer!

As the first real organized sport the boys have participated in, we decided to try out soccer. It's been fun to watch. Destroy surprised us by actually wanting to participate in something. He's actually excited to play soccer. Most likely because it provides him another social opportunity where he has lots of ears to talk off. Either that, or because he gets snacks. He's quick.


But pretty small so he gets knocked down a lot.

It's fun watching the kids learn that they can't use their hands. Only on throw-ins.

Search surprised us by having a not-so-enthusiastic attitude. He was super excited for the first couple of games but then decided that he didn't like the competition so much.

At this age, there's only a couple of kids on each team that even go near the ball. All the others are too scared or not interested. Search happened to be one of the two on his team who was aggressive. But if at any point in the game, the other team showed opposition, he was done. Sometimes mommy would get out there and run with him just to get him out on the field.

He had fun too but I think we had more fun watching him. He's a bit clumsy and awkward and we'd try not to laugh. Maybe it's his big noggin that throws him off balance.

They have one more game and then they get the long-awaited trophies.

chatterbox

Our precious baby is a chatterbox. And when he talks too much... he gets the hiccups!

And this is what happens when your 4 yo gets ahold of the camera. AND your forget to take it out of video mode.

And for your viewing pleasure, I DID NOT include the video that afore-mentioned 4 yo took of his mother's behind.

For Posterity's Sake: Take 2

Okay, definitely not as cool as what BFF Gardener can do, but still cool.

Now if I could only do it without peeing my pants. Those dern kids!

Pre-K Graduation? What's next?

Destroy had pre-K graduation a couple of weeks ago.

Search's class did a couple of songs. Which were hilarious I might add because it required them to turn around and shake what their momma gave 'em at the audience. I had no idea kids could be so different in this aspect. Two just stood there, one slightly swayed side to side, one shook all he had and then Search, since he doesn't know how to shake his bum, just shakes his elbows up and down as furiously as he can while slouched over while keeping his behind completely still. Destroy's class then put on their class play after singing a whole lot of songs. Destroy was the lead frog in their "froggy play".

He was thrilled to be the lead because he got the rights from the teacher to boss the other frogs around because they (just tadpoles) had to listen to him and follow him around. The kids ONLY consented to following his instructions while on stage.

Last came the graduation ceremony. Who knew that they made caps and gowns for 4 and 5 year olds? Not me! It was a pretty big deal I guess but super cute.

While the graduation song played (I know I should know the name of it but I don't), each kid walked across the stage and received their "diploma" and a balloon. While they walked and their name was announced, a big picture of them, their name and what they wanted to be when they grow up was projected up onto the wall above them. Destroy is a "policeman in the making". Again, just another way for him to boss people around. Do you get the idea that he likes to be bossy??? We are working on this :)

After everyone was across the stage, instead of throwing their hats, they all let their balloons go at the same time. This was pretty hard for some of those little kids to do and left some of them in tears! But they all did it.

Destroy got a couple of pictures with his friends.
All his friends are girls.

Ladies' man. A bossy one, but a ladies' man.And luckily he's not too cool yet to snap a shot with his mom and pop.

This pre-K graduation was about as long as my high school graduation. No joke. But I loved every minute of it because I got to see what my kids had been working on for the last couple of months!

Costume Diaries

A few weeks ago Search and Destroy were looking through my fabric drawer. They found red and blue fabric and started making demands that I sew them police and firemen costumes. Yeah sure, I thought, I'll just whip up two costumes today. With a newborn screaming at me. I told them that it was not possible and that they'd have to come up with costumes on their own. This got Destroy started on a long spell of creative dress-ups (can I use that term with a boy?). He's been using his own clothes the past few weeks to come up with random costumes.

First they came up with the police costumes. All I had to do was make sheriff stars to put on their hats.

They've got their guns and walkie talkies (real ones; don't worry they were only $5). And no costume is complete without Napolean Dynomite moon boots.

This was white trash day at the Madsen household: cut-offs and a tank top. Put them together with a tool belt and hard hat and we've got our very own builder/fixer. Would you like to fix the plumbing next, Destroy? No outfit is complete without moon boots though so he put those on after the picture was taken.

Next up: we're going on a safari adventure. Green clothes to blend in, guns and trail maps.

Destroy made an animal science book for this one and drew and labeled all the animals.

And no ensemble is complete without moon boots.

Here we have the "fighter guy". He wouldn't have to get out the firearm to kill, that expression on his face would do the job. He's very serious about his multiple personas. He made a "Help Fighter book" to go along with this costume that demonstrates different fighting moves and techniques. Oh, and his shirt has an "army" helicopter on it. The bulge in his backpack is his bike helmet to protect against flying shrapnel. He got the idea for this costume after the boys watched Transformers. Don't even get me started on THAT: I woke up from a much needed nap and Daddy was watching it with my 4 and 5 year old.

And no ensemble is complete without moon boots.

Now we have the farmer and his cow. The cow even tried to eat some grass but decided it wasn't all that tasty. Apparently farmers wear flip flops instead of moon boots.

And didn't you know that cows can ride bikes? But they have to have a yellow helmet.

Warm days call for lifeguards. Even if there isn't any water around. Hats, red tank tops ("cause that's what you used to wear when you were a lifeguard, mom") and flip flops are what this occasion calls for.

You must also fashion a fanny pack out of your church belt and mom's old purse that has a belt loop on it.

And don't forget your shades and fold up chair to take along while you guard at different pools.

I missed the "surfer guy" day where they dressed up into swim shorts and rash guards and used the snow sled to surf. Destroy made them passports and plane tickets to get to "Fun Island" to go surfing.