Philip joined his first sports team this year. Actually a 3-year-old, he began practicing with the 4- to 6-year-old Upward Basketball team in December. He played in two games and then became "official" when he turned 4 on January 22. He played another game and then at the following practice (they had practice each Monday night) told his coach he was done for the season. We told him that he could do that as we felt like it had come to that moment of either stepping down or pushing him beyond what would be good for him.
Philip gave basketball a good try and I feel that if he wants to play next year then these weeks of practice and games will provide a good jumping off point. He did warm up to his coaches and sat still during the devotion time at practice. However, his age and skill level just proved to be too much of an obstacle. Thankfully, he never saw himself as below average which he wasn't (he's just a beginner!). Unfortunately his imagination got the best of him because as he lost interest in basketball, he would enter his superhero fantasy world and begin doing his Transformer moves... yes, this was on the basketball court during a game with people lining the walls of the gym. He's gets an A+ for not having stage fright! At practice, Philip was all excited about doing the running and stretching exercises but as for the dribbling and shooting drills, he thought he didn't need that part.
We had a ball watching our baby participate in his first team sport, collect iron-on stars for attending practice and good sportsmanship during games, and gain social skills as he made new friends. Even though I'm amazed at how big he is getting, Philip is really so young still and has a whole life ahead of him. It's going to be really great watching those God-given talents emerge and him find his passion in life.
Braewyn has been going pee on her little Pooh Bear potty sporadically for a few weeks. Every time I change her diaper these days, she says, "Potty?" before I can get the new diaper on meaning she wants to go try. Sometimes her diaper had been barely wet and she'll go more on her potty. This morning, Philip was in their bathroom but Braewyn started banging on the door and said "potty!" Philip said he was done (he's beginning to get modest around her which is good) and opened the door. She went in, I helped get her diaper off, and she peed and pooped in her potty!!!! We were all so excited. I had heard girls were easier to train but I never expected she would be doing this well two months before her second birthday. I am just keeping her in diapers for the time being with our plans to move in the next few months.
And that brings me to my last subject, our upcoming move!! We'll just be moving a town over (honestly on the other side of the highway because it's the line which divides one school district from another). My mom came over last Friday and helped me overhaul our kitchen. The countertops are bare save a spice rack, a wicker basket holding apples and a knife holder. We're trudging along little by little, tackling one room after another. Aside from dusting the ficus tree in the living room and arranging some pictures, that room is done. The kitchen just needs a few more cabinets wiped off and some things taken down from on top of the cabinets. The office, master bedroom, kids' room and closets still need to be tackled, but we're making progress. I can't wait to post my before and after pictures. The kitchen ones might be up tomorrow. We're calling a realtor in March and then begin house hunting. That part is what I can't wait for... actually walking through houses instead of continually looking in the real estate books and searching the MLS number on the internet to see photos of the inside of the houses!!! I'll keep you posted.