Waiting for Sawyer...other September pictures

 Week 3 of soccer produced some highs and lows for the Gratton family. 

The highs: Drew scored 2 goals again this week; she got really aggressive on the field; when she got knocked down she got back up and went after the ball.

The lows: Her aggressiveness actually came out as jersey pulling and pushing other girls down (I actually advised her to get tough and knock girls down to score a goal, I honestly didn't think she would do it); she fell about 12 times that day, crying after every time EXCEPT the last 2 where she got up and went after the ball; she spent much of the game crying and pouting. 

We really felt like mean parents when we told her we couldn't go to Tutti Frutti despite the 2 goals scored because of her poor attitude. But I think she got the point.

 On picture day at school, Drew tried to teach Meghan how to pose.

 This is what 40 weeks pregnant looks like. As of this post, I'm now closer to 41 weeks, cripes.

 This extreme heat has offered a lot of time in the pool at Grammy and Boppa's house. We've really improved on our handstands, underwater flips and races with Daddy.

 Even the non-swimming Nikki couldn't handle being out of the water for too long.

 Drew took a few shots with my camera, despite getting her own for her birthday. I had to delete about 9 of just the backyard.

 One must always end their photo session with a self-photo.

During a record breaking heatwave and a not-so-good start to Season 2, we were all a little trepidatious to begin week 2. Grammy pulled out the big guns and bribed Drew with frozen yogurt after the game if she a) smiled during the practice/game, b) didn't cry, c) tried hard, and d) cheered on her teammates. 

 Here, with Alyssa and Bella: "who wants to wear a bracelet?" I'm sure Landon Donovan prepares the same way.

Lo and behold the two fingers mean 2 goals scored! In the correct goal! And the scowl is her game face! Who is this goal-scorer and what did she do with Drew??? 

Have we turned a corner? Will this continue? Will we single-handedly keep Tutti Frutti in business this fall with our weekly bribes?

Soccer: Year 2, Week 1

After last year's disastrous soccer season, we thought we'd give it another try, this time with Daddy as Coach. However, we are currently in the middle of a month-long heatwave, so the odds were not in our favor. Grammy, Boppa and even Kels came down to watch the first game.

 They started with some drills...

 ...worked on some dribbling...

 ...and 15 minutes in, Drew was done.

*sigh* Here we go again?

First Day of Kindergarten!

The first day of school was Wednesday, September 5 and Drew is in Mrs. Love's class at Moulton Elementary. After a week and a half has already made some new friends. 

 And now that Drew and Meghan go to the same school (though not in the same class), they are always excited to see each other in the morning, during lunch and recess, and walking to our cars after school.

 I like this picture because it looks like it could be an ad for Gymboree!

 Holding hands whenever they were together :)

 After 1 hour of class on Day 1, her hair had already come out and she had already taken a trip to the nurse's office. She had poked her forehead with a pencil while trying to smell a scratch and sniff sticker.  Thankfully she is pretty tough and there weren't many tears. It's been an adjustment from Mission Lutheran, where she has been the last 2 years, but once she gets used to her new routine at Moulton we're sure she'll be just as happy. I wish I could say the same for her new year in soccer....

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day Weekend started off with a little barbecue at Mom and Dad's where Kat and I compared bellies again (we're due 7 days apart). And Maya, Teagen and Drew kissing Brady on his 1st birthday.

Happy Birthday Brady-Boy! 

 Brady learning to drive on the Super Coupe that had been pulled out of retirement.

 Swimming at the Jarvises....Steve going for the tennis ball, just a little out of reach.

 Chazz creating the splash zone.

 Teagen and Drew sliding together, silly girls!

 Future Luger!

 The two peas in a pod had a great time together!

New Sibling Class

 As excited as Drew has been about Sawyer's arrival, we decided to sign her up for the Sibling Class at Saddleback Hospital to reinforce that being a big sister is very important.

 

Most everyone else brought dolls to practice on but since Mommy had no idea this was part of the class, Drew borrowed a doll from the 2 nurses who ran the class.

 They worked on changing diapers....

 ...swaddling...

 and feeding and burping.

We also took a little walking tour to show the kids the type of room that Mommy, Daddy and Baby would be staying in. And we got to walk by the window and see a baby born that morning. Since we saw Lexi Murdent in the hospital only a few weeks prior, this was old news to Drew, but she still loved seeing the baby. At the end of the class, the kids all sang Happy Birthday to their future brothers and sisters and then celebrated with Angel Food Cake. I think we know Drew's favorite part of the class -- although cake did tie with seeing a newborn baby.