Motivation

After just having a baby, I am working very hard to get in shape. One of the things I am doing is sit-ups. While we were on vacation, Connor had volunteered one day to hold my feet, Sybella wanted to get in on the action, so she sat on my feet. When I would come "up" for my sit-up, Sybella would give me a kiss. It was cute and is a great motivator to have your 2-yr old daughter cheering you on, "Go Mommy, Go----Hey, Mommy kissed me!!"

Missions Team Reunion

David and I led a Missions Team to the Dominican Republic earlier this year. Our team tries to get together every couple of months to hang out and stay connected. Since Katie McFaddin, one of our teammates, is embarking on an 11-month missions project in August, we wanted to get together one more time and hang out before her departure. So, off to Baltimore and an Orioles Game we went! Dana was thrilled, as she lives in Baltimore and for once, she didn't have to drive to us. :) We missed not having Carol with us, but hopefully she can make it next time.

We sat in the first row in the upper deck, on the First Base Line. The boys got excited about several Pop-Fly Foul Balls but needed to be a few seats further down to have a chance to catch one of the balls that came our direction. Oh well, maybe next time!

***If you click on this picture, you can enlarge for a better view, note that Chad is holding Cooper and if I do say so, Chad did a great job --- he held Cooper for most of the game!

We took all the boys with us to the game even though only Colin went on the Missions Trip. It's not that we don't think Sybella would have enjoyed herself, but it was an afternoon game right in the middle of nap time, naps are important when you are 2 1/2, so we left Sybella with her Granda.

Myrtle Beach Photos

I wanted to get some more shots up from our vacation in June. We were in Myrtle Beach, SC and it was such a time of relaxation and fun. Colin and Connor love the water, Sybella got a chance to have fun in the water & sand, and little Cooper won't remember this trip but will have pictures of his first trip to the beach.
Enjoy!!
**Remember if you click on any photo in our blog, it will enlarge for better viewing.

First Orioles Game

Connor and Cooper at Cooper's First Orioles game on June 28th. They played the Nationals and lost but we still had fun!

We visited guest services and they even gave Cooper an "Most Valuable Orioles Fan" Certificate to commemorate his first game.

Thanks to our friends for sharing in the adventure with us: Katie McFaddin, Chad Riley, and Dana Frisillo! (More pictures to follow.)

Wordless Wednesday

My best friend Shauna posts blogs occasionally called "Wordless Wednesday;" they are picture posts that need no explanation. I am going to copy her----it's the HIGHEST Compliment! So, although this is not a true "Wordless Wednesday," there will be many in the future and I wanted to make sure that Shauna got the credit!

Cousins in DC

My brother and sister-in-law moved back to the DC area about 2 weeks ago. We are so excited for the opportunities that lie ahead for them but we are also excited to have more family close by; having our kids grow up together, close enough where they could actually know each other, has been a dream of mine and I am thrilled to see it unfolding! Here are the 2 of the cousins together at the soccer fields this weekend. How adorable!!

All Stars Soccer

There have been many soccer posts over the history of our blog. So, one more should not come as a surprise. :-)
Both the boys had an awesome Spring Soccer Season:

Colin scored several goals, had an opportunity to develop more in the goalie position, & performed quite well as a Middle Mid-Fielder. This was his first season playing with Coach Driver and Colin thoroughly enjoyed the experience; he looks forward to playing with Coach Driver again next spring.
Connor played primarily in the Right Wing position but also got to try his hand at goalie. He also scored several goals. Connor was in his 3rd Season with Coach Damon and we will MISS him very much as Connor moves on to Travel Soccer (see Travel Soccer Team Post). The highlight of Connor’s Season was being selected to play on the All Star Team. Two kids from each team are selected. The kids practice together for 2 weeks and then play in a final tournament against other Northern Virginia teams on Father’s Day weekend. Connor’s team did awesome. They played some very tough teams but still performed quite well…AND, they scored more goals than they gave up! Great Job guys! Connor was thrilled to be playing with his best soccer friend, Matt.

Date Night-

Every once in a while David takes Sybella on a “Date Night.” This is usually an afternoon or evening where she gets a little dressed up and goes out with Daddy for a milkshake. Their destination of choice is Baskin Robbins. It only takes about 30 minutes but it is the highlight of her week!
Sybella loves milkshakes, almost as much as she loves her daddy. This is an awesome tradition that allows them to spend some 1-on-1 time together on a regular basis and develop relationship even in toddler-hood.
Here is a picture of tonight's "Date Night."

CCH Sharks Swim Team

This year our family joined the local pool; we weren’t able to do this when we lived in Vienna because there was a waiting list for memberships. We joined Country Club Hills Pool. One of the exciting opportunities that comes with being a pool member, is that the kids had the option of joining the swim team. I swam on a team for 2 years when I was a kid and it is an experience I wouldn’t trade. Colin did not want to join the team (I understand, he would have been swimming with kids in their 5th year of competitive swimming) but Connor was interested immediately.
The CCH Sharks is a great team and they have an Awesome coaching staff. Coach Scott is the head coach; he is knowledgeable, has a great manner with the kids and parents, he keeps the focus on team spirit and learning first, and he teaches the kids about how they should conduct themselves while still competing to the best of their ability. Coach Katherine is the assistant coach and does a great job as well.

On June 15th, the CCH Sharks had their First Meet of the season. It was a “Developmental Meet” which gives all of the kids a chance to participate. During regular meets, only the top 3 swimmers get to compete—which will often leave out the new kids. At a developmental meet, each child can compete in 2 events and has the opportunity to swim for improved times, experience, and feedback on their stroke style. Connor swam the backstroke and breaststroke at this meet. He did awesome!
He has a great backstroke and a fast breaststroke (the hardest stroke technically). He will continue to work on form through the season which will invariably increase his speed as well. Above all, he had FUN. One of his good friends Will also swims on the team so they have fun no matter what.

Travel Soccer Team

We got the invitation this morning for Connor to join the Vienna Boys Rising U-9 Travel Soccer Pool. There will be 4 teams of U-9 Boys and we do not yet have a team assignment but we have accepted the invitation and will begin our travel soccer journey in August. Travel soccer is designed to be a developmental program and more competitive than Recreational or House League Soccer. There are try-outs that a player must go thru to join a team.
CONGRATULATIONS to Connor for making it through 3 rounds of try-outs. Approximately 40 boys were selected and approximately 75 tried out.
This is a great opportunity for Connor as they schedule 2 practices a week and one of those practices is run by Brazilian Trainers who can help improve the boys’ skills.

Colin did not choose to try out as he spends the fall playing American Football.