Birthdays, Basketball, Dance, & Snow

Sometimes I run out of ideas on how to title these blog posts, because in a way our years seem to repeat with similar events.  When I think, "How is it already the end of March? Where did the first 3 months of 2014 go?" These are the words that came to mind for a quick . . . no, probably long recap:  Birthdays, Basketball, Dance, & Snow. Birthdays: Ethan and Alaina celebrated their birthday parties together this year!  With Ethan turning 10 and Alaina turning 3, I never really thought we'd be able to have a party together easily, since they are 7 years apart and boy and girl.  But we found the perfect place for a combined party.  An indoor roller skating rink that also has an indoor playground for the younger kids.  Alaina invited some of her little dance friends too, but she also is good friends with all the neighborhood friends who are closer to Ethan in age.  She's kind of the neighborhood little sis'.  I think they both had a fun time roller skating and playing with their friends.

Basketball: Both boys played Upward basketball again this year, 2nd year for both of them.  Last year they were on the same team, which was nice, but this year Ethan was on older team, 4th - 6th graders, and Caleb on a 1st - 3rd grade team.  Ethan's team was the "Heat" and they won every game this season!  He learned so much, played the full court, and had great coaches and teammates.    

Ethan Scott is 10 years old!!!

Wishing my oldest son, Ethan Scott, a Happy 10th Birthday today! How can he already be in the double digits??? He has blessed us from day one and we are so proud of the young man you are becoming. A good big brother, friend, sports enthusiast, excellent student, Lego & Star Wars fan, and growing Christian. We love you so much and thank God for you!

Alaina Grace is 3 years old!

Alaina Grace is THREE!  How can that be?  Our sweet little surprise is already 3!!!  Oh, how she has completely completed our family.  She's a happy, energetic, silly little girl who will say hi to about anyone she meets, she loves baby dolls and names them all "baby" or a color (by the color of clothes they are wearing), she loves her brothers, friends, and Mommy & Daddy, & Grandmas and Grandpas, loves dance, loves exercising to exercise videos with Mommy, loves riding her scooter and bike, jumping on the trampoline, loves singing loudly and sweetly, likes to clean things, always wants to be a part of everything, doesn't want to miss anything, still cuddles and lets Mommy & Daddy rock her at bedtime, is stubborn and knows exactly what she wants and how she wants it, and brings sooooo much joy and life to our family.  We love you Alaina Grace and thank God for you!

Fall off to a full swing!

Every Fall I feel like this . . . it's off to a full swing, and I am behind!  Behind with keeping up with my blog because we are so busy.  So here's a quick recap before I get even further behind and forget things:
The boys started school.  Ethan is in 4th grade at the intermediate school and in an all boys class this year.  He has Mrs. Revan for math and science and Mrs. Fowler for Language and Social Studies.  So far he is liking his new school and new routine there and doing great.  All A's already for the first 4 1/2 weeks!

Caleb started 2nd grade and is in the elementary school in Mrs. Pepper's class.  This is the same teacher Ethan had for 2nd grade, so we are happy about that!  I love it when we get to experience a great teacher again with a different child.  Caleb is doing well being in the school without big brother, even though they both were sad that they wouldn't see each other in the halls anymore.  We also have quite an elaborate carpool/pick up schedule since both schools start and get out at the exact same time.  Thankfully I have two grandmothers that can help me out or it would be much more difficult!  Caleb is doing well so far in his class too!

Alaina's new thing this year is dance class.  She is in a Mon Cheri Bebe class of all 2 year olds - a ballet/tumbling class and she LOVES it!  That girl has music in her head, dancing, singing most of the time! For a girl with 2 older brothers, and the baby of the family, most of the time she gets dragged around to all of their events, so I'm happy she has dance just for her this year! 

Caleb had his 7th birthday . . . how is he already 7??  He celebrated with friends at a pool party.  It thankfully didn't rain that afternoon (like it had been) and he had a great time.  The pool had a diving board which was a huge hit with all the kids!

Now, soccer has started for the boys so every weekend is filled with at least 2 games.  The boys are both playing on more competitive teams this year, with AYSO, so it's both challenging and exciting for them (and for us to watch!)  They are on different teams this year because of their ages, and both are doing great!

And even though I said at the end of one of my last posts that I wasn't getting into photography again, now I am!  At least I think I am.  Some families have asked me about doing some family photo sessions again, preparing for Christmas cards I'm thinking, so I decided to start back early doing sessions in October and November, so that hopefully I won't get so burnt out this year.  We'll see what happens!  Maybe I can earn a little money towards Christmas this year.  I started back up my photography site, www.laineybugphotography.com  I love photography, just still don't have a lot of time still to spend on it.  Hopefully I can manage my time better this year, and still have time for my family!