So I'm a Soccer Mom, Now! (Lots of Pics!)

Donovan joined a Bitty Soccer league with the local YMCA. They gave him a jersey and a ball. He threw his ball into the air right before this shot.

His team's name is the Dinos.

He's learning a bunch of soccer skills. And life skills - like waiting his turn.

But of course, this is one of this favorite things:

GOOOOOOO #6!!!

The children had a few races to the goal while dribbling their balls. Donovan won the first one! I was so proud of him. Especially when I learned that he's the youngest on the team by almost a year.

Here's the beginnings of team spirit. He has so much fun with them! Of course, he's still gentle and loving with Lillian. They're like best friends already. But since she slept through his first soccer practice, she joined us outside for our fun little drills at home.

We started out on the sidewalk, using cups as cones and an empty box as the goal.
Lily enjoyed the sunshine and the sporting.
Donovan kept grabbing the ball with his hands, so I had him hold cups in each of his hands to remind him to keep his hands off the ball. It worked really well.

But playing on the sidewalk was a little tricky with a bit of a slope to the one side.

And sometimes he took not using his hands a little too seriously. lolSo we moved it into the grass - he does play in the grass, after all.
And of course he had to wear his jersey to practice!
He's an expert kicker!
But of course, the greatest benefit to the sport is how well it wears him out.

Nice Day for a Nature Walk

We went for a nature walk the other day at a local lake.

I had to strap Lily to me because I knew the stroller wouldn't do well on the trail.

Donovan took this picture.

Donovan found all sorts of cool stuff to explore and learn about.
He got to lead the way. (Of course, don't burst his bubble by pointing out that there really was only one way to go.)
Lily enjoyed the fresh air.
Donovan threw stones into the water.

We walked all the way to the end of the path, where we found this spider.

Donovan decided to go play in the grassy area, instead.

He pretended to make a campfire.

And then he pretended to roast marshmallows on the fire.

He had almost as much fun looking at the rocks in the parking lot.

Lily just watched while her brother played.

Donovan insisted he saw the #3 in the clouds.

Donovan got tired of me taking pictures and said he was done. He stomped off back to the truck.

When he got to the truck, I hadn't unlocked it yet because I was still taking pictures. lol

This is one of my favorites.