Soccer

A few months ago two friends approached us about Sophie playing soccer with them. I played soccer as a kid and I feel like it's a good sport for kids to start with so we said yes and arranged it for her to play with all her friends. She had to play up an age group for it to work out. 

She wore her flamingo shirt to her first practice. 

I am her coach. I have a good time but she doesn't love listening to me. Last week a few teams at the soccer complex were short players so we combined teams and Sophie listened to the other coach just fine. It makes me kind of sad because I would like to be able to do things like coach her teams. I just am not sure I will next time because she doesn't listen to me very well. 

She does a great job of keeping up with the other kids though. She runs really fast and if she has the motivation can keep going. At first she seemed a little scared of kicking the ball but has gotten way better at it. Some kids have trouble with the rules (like no hands)
 but she has never had a problem. 

Halloween

Boy I am slow getting these up but we have been busy around these parts. 

Sophie was a flamingo and the day of the Hayes Halloween party she decided she needed to wear her flamingo shirt as well. She did make the cutest flamingo I've ever seen. 

Josh and I were Minnie and Mickey this year for Halloween. I had a different idea for us but I knew I wouldn't have time to get it all put together this year, as it was we were scrambling just to finish this. I didn't get my bow or Josh's shoes done like I wanted to, but it turned out fine. 

Doesn't Josh make a good Mickey. I don't know how but he looks good no matter how he is dressed up. 

Eric was a hamburger. Don't you just want to eat him up? I do. (He did too, he kept sucking on the lettuce.) 

Flamingo Break

A few days before Halloween the Zoo does an event. Josh took Sophie over in costume to meet her fellow flamingos. 

He said all the animals seems super friendly. He wasn't sure if it was the crowds, costume, or cool weather. But the otters and coyote dogs apparently loved bright pink Sophie. 

She even participated in a costume contest. She didn't win although we think she should have at least won the animal category. But then again everyone is partial to their own kid. 

Halloween dinner- jack o lantern pizza and orange cookies. 

Eric is his cute pumpkin pj's he wore when he wasn't in costume. Isn't it perfect?

Pre- Halloween Fun

This week has been crazy! But crazy the way most holiday weeks end up for us, we try and cram as much fun stuff in while we can. 

Last weekend we went to trick or treat main street in Rigby, so that was the first Sophie got dressed up although her costume wasn't 100% done. Tuesday night we carved our pumpkins.  Can you guess whose is whose? 

Wednesday Sophie was going to go to Boo at the Zoo but she ended up sick that day and she had to get better for Thursday. 

Thursday Sophie donned her full costume first thing in the morning for preschool. Instead of a pink t shirt and sparkly pink shoes she opted for jacket and boots because of the weather. 

Her school had a little parade and then sang songs for us. I was so proud of my little darling. She is growing up so fast. It's unbelievable to me. 

Can you find her in line? 

Right between two Annas and two Elsas. Surprise, surprise. She loves being unique though. 

I told her to wave. She did without looking at me. 

Eric in cute jammies break. 

Back to Sophie

She did make it to Boo at the Zoo, her great dad took her on Thursday night. I'll make another post later of the rest of our Halloween festivities. 

Eric at 2 (months)

I can't believe the time. It's speeding by. At first after we saw Eric smile we thought he just wasn't a very smiley baby because he smiled very rarely. At his two month doctor appointment a few days ago I mentioned to the doctor how unhappy Eric always seemed while eating. He started some meds for acid reflex and now he smiles all the time (he also eats better). So he really is a happy baby.

He is also super hero sleeper. For the last few weeks he was consistently sleeping six hours but this week has been moving towards a long night time. We've had 7, 7 1/2, 8, and even one night of a little over eight hours in the last week. I am a super proud momma.

It seems strange that a baby so young can have preferences to things but he totally does. Eric already has a favorite blanket, it's silky on one side and fuzzy on the other. When you put it on him he immediately grabs it and pulls it towards his face.

This months adventure was a trip to Mesa Falls with his family during general conference. Most days though are just spent running around with mom and Sophie- going to zumba, doing preschool drop off, and playing with friends.

Harder

You know, having two kids is hard sometimes. Life was pretty simple with just Sophie. She's flexible and easy to get along with. Taking her to the store was no big, out to eat with us was no problem. Pretty much she just was my buddy and went everywhere and did everything with me. 

But two kids, two kids means mom carries the baby in case the other needs to be carried later. 

It sometimes means the art museum is the last thing mom wants to be doing between baby feedings. 

Occasionally this picture will have to do because it's time to go. 

Two kids means you have to sleep anywhere, and take it when you can. 

Some store trips like this will cut short because someone has to go to the bathroom or someone needs to be fed. 

and sometimes will just be sad times. 

But you know, it is entirely worth it. All of the time. Through the tears, late nights, and frustrations it is always worth it. These little hands, bright smiles, and most importantly those sweet spirits are amazing. 

Three in our family was nice, Sophie filling our lives, but we waited a long time for four. I knew two kids would be harder than just one. But you know, one child is harder than none. That doesn't mean that it won't be the best decision in the world.

So bring on the hard hikes, the time limited excursions, quick photo shoots, car seat naps, fast store exits, and any tears that may come too, because along with them comes so many precious moments. 

Beautiful smiles, hugs and kisses, tender hand holding and thoughtful discussions, a proud sister and a brother that smiles at the sight of her. All these and more come with having two kids. Give me harder any day because along with it comes happiness. 

Eric and Sophie I love you both.