Soccer, Stitches, and Safety Helmets

I am about 2 weeks behind...

Well, I got the boys into soccer!! We started a bit late, but I think it will soothe the savage beasts (and help them to forget that mom missed the original cut-off!)    Ben is giving it his all and I think with some more practice he will get more "fluid" in his movements.  They won his 1st game and he was really exited!  

Matthew is thrilled to be able to start.  He has been watching Ben for the past 2 years and has been asking when he gets to play.  I thought he was going to pass-out from excitment when he learned he actually got to keep his jersey!  

On the 14th, Caitee wanted to "help" me make pancakes and eggs for breakfast.  She pulled a kitchen chair over to the counter and started to pull things out.  She tried to open a drawer that was directly in front of her.  She leaned back and the chair tipped backwards,  knocking her to the floor.  Then the seat rocked all the way over and smashed her in the face!  I watched the whole thing in slow motion, and yet it happened so fast I couldn't stop it.  The chair had put a nasty looking gash in her chin.  The blood was deep red.  Not a sight for the faint of heart!  I surprised myself with my very calm, "Spencer, you are going to have to take Cait in for stitches."

Sure enough my dirty, little princess received 4 stitches in her chin.  

You might think this was her 1st set.  But Oh, NO!  This is her 2nd set!  I think she has some personal goal to have one set for every year of her life.  Believe me you DO NOT want to tumble with this girly!  She is one tough little cookie!!  

We try to get together for playdates with families from our ward (church).  The weather has been unbelievable perfect, so we have been to the park quite a few times...anyway it was decided to meet up for a bike ride.  The older kids did not have school that day, so I was more than ready not to be at home.

Matthew had gotten a bike for his birthday back in April.  Caitlyn had her tricycle.  Ben did not have a bike.  The reason for this is because he would literally freak out when we tried to teach him how to ride a bike.  It was too much for Spencer and I's patience!!  We gave up a few years ago on that one...I digress.

I was feeling bad that he would be the only one without anything to ride, although he does have a scooter, it just isn't the same!  I wanted to get him a bike.  So on Thursday, we loaded up and headed to (quickly becoming my least favorite place...) Wally-World.  Taking 3 children into any retail store is another post all together!  

Long story short (oh! sorry, too late...)  Ben AND Caitlyn ended up with a new bike.  Because as I have mentioned before Cait can and will do anything before, better, and faster than her brothers!!  

I do not know if it because this area is so dang friendly or if everyone will experience this phenomenon. There is something magical in getting your 1st bike.  Everyone and I do mean everyone stopped and talk to us and we headed to the checkout.  People smile at you and give you thumbs up and are very excited for you to get to ride your new bike.  The kids basked in the limelight from the back of the store all the way to the parking lot.  It was like something you would see in a movie.  I don't even know if I am getting the feeling across, but I will never forget the way it felt - well, magical!  

Spencer taught Ben to ride his bike!!!!  It only took 1 night!!!  I am so proud of him for overcoming his fears!  (I am sure that there was some pressure of being the only 8 year old with training wheels!!)  He loves it!  She loves it!  They love it! Everyday the kids want to go out and ride.  And now I have a marvelous, wonderful new thing to hold over their heads if their rooms aren't clean!  (picture me wringing my hands in menace) Mwhahah!! 

I am going to post pics when Spencer gets home and reminds me how to get them off the camera and into this blog!!  (I would never survive without my techie husband.)