Love Languages...

Well...if you haven't heard of the book The Five Love Languages, it's really great, and I highly recommend it. For the sake of not making this post too long...I'm not going to explain it since just about everyone I know is at least a little familiar with it. I read it all the way back in college, and it has stuck with me all this time. They have a book out about the love languages for children as well, but I haven't read it yet. Anyway...all this to say, within the past few months or so, it has become very clear to Eriik and I what love languages our kids speak.

Alec is very much a "Gifts" kiddo...no this does not just mean he likes to get gifts! He LOVES to give though! He shows his love to everyone by giving special things to them. Ever since Ava was born he has run to get her one of his stuffed animals if she cried, and now he gives her his cars. He gives cars and toys to his friends all the time...sometimes he even gives them a FAVORITE toy. He will randomly say "Mommy...I want to give Carson this car...I think he would like it a lot." He loves to color pictures, make books, and draw pictures for people. He found a book that a friend had given him for Christmas and when he remembered who it was from said "That was really nice of Blake...I want to make him a book"....and he did. When he draws a picture or colors for his daddy he always wants to make it extra special by hiding it somewhere in the house and leaving clues to find it. This is really amazing to me since "gifts" is very low on my love language list, and on Eriiks as well. Maybe he will teach us a thing or two about being a giver!

As for Ava...we are thinking her love language is "words of affirmation". She is always complimenting people....although they are mostly superficial compliments...but hey she's only 2. I've even heard her talking to her doll saying "Oh...I love your dress, princess ...so pretty". When Kelsey comes over sometimes she says "I like your hair Kelsey...or "I like your shirt...it's nice". It's almost always a conversation starter for her. She comes up to me out of the blue all the time and tells me "I love you Mommy!" Just the other day, after Awanas she told me "Allison is nice!" ..that's her Sunday school teacher, and Awanas teacher. Anyway...as for now it looks like she's a "words" girl....hmmm, wonder where she get's that from??? :)

I realize all this is subject to change, but it's kind of fun to observe. I think it's helpful to know what is most important to them, so that we can show them love more effectively. Anyway...this was just on my mind and thought I would share.

Soccer in the pouring rain!

Well, today was Alec's first Soccer game. The forecast said 100% chance of rain for pretty much the whole day...so I wasn't sure we would have a game. But apparently our little "Longhorns" are tough enough to play through a downpour! We all had a lot of fun...well...Ava was a little miserable off and on...but I think she was just too wet and cold. Anyway, I don't think there is anything cuter than a bunch of little four year old soccer players. You could hear all the parent yelling "Wrong way!! Kick it the other way!" Our Longhorns played against the Dragons and we won 5-0!!! I was surprised at how well they did after only a few practices! We celebrated with a little Sonic after the game. Alec said he had a good time, but "the game was a lot longer than practice...and a lot wetter!" We are proud of our little Longhorn, and thrilled that he had a good time! I have a little video clip at the bottom....he is #3. (you can hear Ava being miserable in the background)

The soccer mom and the little sis.

He fell a couple of times...thus the wet grass all over his face and body!

First Day...

Well, today was the first day of preschool for Alec and Ava and the first day of MOPS! Ava ran into her room without so much as a glance back and started playing with the toys as the teacher shut the bottom half of the door. I gave a quick "bye lady bug" and she barely looked up as she waved. So...needless to say she was good to go! Then I dropped off Alec and he walked in the room with a slight hesitation until he saw his bud Tommy and then all was well. So, then I sped off to our church for MOPS where I am a discussion group leader. On the way there the silence hit me and I was suddenly glad that I was getting to go hang out with some friends instead of back to my quiet house. Now...don't get me wrong...I am really going to love having free time a couple days a week, it's just a little bit of a shock to my system. MOPS was fun as usual, and I am really excited about getting to know the girls at my table better.

When I picked up the kids today after school Ava was crying because Owen tried to take her blankie (oh the drama). Alec on the other hand was so excited and said in a super excited voice "Mommy, I got a penny because I was really really good and I sat really still and listened and if I get five pennies, I get to buy something from the treasure box!!!" He then proceeded to tell me about a couple boys who were not as fortunate. Ava didn't have as much to report (she just told me "I played with girls"), but the teachers told me she had fun. So...anyway, here are some pics from open house with their teachers last week.