Boys night at the Monster Truck Jam

Mom look - I made an X

BBall

Daniel is still enjoying Saturday morning basketball. There is so much to learn! Last week he made a basket (YAY) but it was in the wrong goal (BOO). He had a total meltdown, started crying and went and sat on the bench. He was totally inconsolable for awhile. I made him 'get back on the horse' and go back in the game. He didn't want to, but when he did he perked up again. Look at this sweet thang....

Then after the game, we go get breakfast. Daniel is a true southerner - he loves them grits....

A short week and a long verse

Swimming lessons

I was a total loser and didn't get Daniel into swimming lessons this summer. We just had too many things going on, so now I am trying to catch up. We are taking swimming lessons down at the University of Louisville this winter. Daniel is so excited about being a Cardinal!!

Learning to float on my back...

Verse

Basketball

Another year, another new sport. We asked Daniel if he wanted to continue learning soccer (we could sign him up for an indoor league) or if he wanted to play basketball. A big decision!! He really struggles with making decisions. I try to give him opportunities in many small ways so he can practice making up his mind. He just has such a hard time. Even when we're selecting a movie or picking out a toy, something you think he would have an opinion about - he will say, 'you pick mom'. Not all the time, but often. Anyway, I digress. So first he picked basketball and then he changed his mind to soccer and then he changed it back to basketball. So I signed him up in the program at our church. (and then when I told him we were signed up he goes, 'I thought I picked soccer.' Ha! He really cares, huh? You can't go wrong - it's all fun!) We ended up in the first session, so it is an early start time on Saturday morning! This was the first meeting. Check out this cutie....

Reflecting on 2011

What a year Daniel has had! He lost several more teeth, got a stamp in his passport, committed more of the Bible to memory, learned to ride his bike without training wheels, so many accomplishments. You haven't heard me say much lately about Daniel's behavior because it's really been going great for him! After all of those episodes last year, this year has really been a piece of cake. (knock on wood!) He has settled into 2nd grade so easily. His teacher is big on responsibility, which we love, and he's been growing and maturing so much. We've been so amazed by how much he is learning. The homework is hard and we've had more than a few meltdowns over timed math (UGH!) but for the most part - it is smooth sailing at our house.





Of course, I have always said that he seems to go through cycles. We'll have several months of a perfect angel and then it's like he needs to double check his boundaries or something and our sweet child turns into a mouthy handful for a few months. We need to re-affirm the rules and who's in charge and then he settles back into our little sweetie. So, maybe we're just in a good cycle right now but Hello 2012, things are looking sunny!





Jason and I were just reflecting on how sweet Daniel is. Maybe when he hits puberty, it will all change but these years have been great. He is so affectionate, loves to sit in my lap, give kisses and hold hands. And he LOVES to be tickled! He will come in and lift up this shirt and say, 'mom, look at my belly!' If I don't take the bait he will go, 'mom, is it tickle time?' What a hoot! He likes to snuggle up under a blanket on the couch (he will say, 'Mom, you're so cozy!'), loves for us to read to him and play games. He is such a treasure! And his prayers before bed would just make you melt! He often thanks God for our family and that we love each other. The other day (after being reminded several times that day about being respectful to mom and pop and using a respectful tone), I was talking to him about why it's import to be respectful and how the Bible tells us, 'Honor your Father and Mother'. We had a really nice dicussion about it and that night he prayed, 'thank you for mom and pop who help me follow the Bible and make good choices.' Wow!! Sometimes he just blows me away!! God has his hand on Daniel and I feel priveleged to be a part of His handiwork. To God be the glory!!