Soccer Camp

I was able to find a soccer camp through our local rec program that would allow both Mulu & Aaliyah to participate at the same time. In two separate groups of coarse - which I had to continue to explain to Mulu who was worried he was going to be on the same team with his little sister "sometimes she picks up the soccer ball with hands" he whispered to me. So Mulu played with the older kids from 9-1130 and Aaliyah was there from 9-10 with the little ones.

On paper, this looked like an opportunity to have an hour with just Aria, but that's not really how it worked out. Aaliyah spent much of the time on the blanket with me & the baby watching her soccer camp, rather than participating, but had a good time none the less. The little kids were pretty darn cute - one big mob running after the ball during their "games" and not worrying about staying within the lines of the field.

And Mulu was a running fool - not always the right direction and not always towards the ball, but he loved to be with the bigger kids (he was the youngest in his age group) and he improved a lot over the week. He seemed to become a favorite with the camp counselors and got some pretty dandy foot action with the soccer ball by the end.

Below are some photos and videos of the camp week. Sorry for the sideways videos - I keep forgetting that I, for some reason, can't rotate it once it is on the computer.

Here are Mulu & Aaliyah before their camp (Mulu trying to hurry it up so he could ditch his Mom & sisters)



They had flags for each team & during a water break the kids put on a parade - here Mulu is representing Germany.



A chance to get in at the ball

Fighting his way through





Video of Mulu playing - he does well with the ball & then decides he wants to hang out with the goalies - pretty cute.

Aaliyah's turn - waiting for warmup to begin

Playing goalie - luckily the ball never made it down on her end of the field (I can't see her getting charged at by a group of kids going well - she is kind of a fragile soul these days)

Picking flowers with some other girls - not during a breaktime mind you (hense the ball shooting through the photo too)


Aaliyah practicing dribbling - (just tilt your head to enjoy)

Summer 2008 - part 2

Ok - catching up with our busy summer again. We have been swimming, biking, and going to parks like crazy. We usually have one adventure a day and still have a lot of things we want to do before the summer is over. We are all tired (including me) by the end of the day and love our flexible schedule. I was a bit nervous going into the summer having all three kiddos with no real structure - but it has been nothing but fabulous. It is so fun having Mulu home with us & doing fun things will all my kiddos. I think I found a good balance between scheduled/structured activities and days we can be laid back and lazy.


Here is Aaliyah looking fab in her summer best (actually Auntie Shoosha's)















For Father's day we got Grandpa tickets to go see Matt Kenseth race - so here are the Johnson boys (Daddy, Uncle Dave, Grandpa & Mulu) before going to the race. (note Mulu's pose)
























At the race (again . . . another pose - the boy is not shy in front of the camera)




















There were many of our friends in town for a big drum corps show - so we had a picnic at our place to get together - here is a shot of some friends and the kids table.



















Aaliyah and I got to go see one of my cousin's daughters in a mini version of the musical Annie (which has long been one of Aaliyah's favorite videos to watch) - here is her and I before our special night




















and Aaliyah posing with Annie herself!
























and baby Aria on the 1st day of her swimming lessons. She has turned out to be a total water lover! In fact she tries to jump out of our arms when we walk by the hot tub, or a pool, or even just the kitchen sink (where I often give her a bath). She loves to splash, doesn't mind getting her head wet & loves floating around amongst the kids.

Daddy's Birthday!

on June 26th Brian had another birthday - wow, is the Johnson Kiddos' Daddy getting old.

Here are some picture with our families celebrating him!

We love you Daddy!

This is the fun group we had for his birthday dinner (minus Baby Aria who is hidden behind Brian in the highchair, and me who is taking the photo)



















Daddy waiting to blow out his candles - wooooeee - that is a lot of candles!
























Baby Aria had to get into at least one picture!



















The kids getting a chance to blow out the candles - and eager to dig into Grandma's pudding cake!

Summer 2008 - part 1

So - a couple weeks in and we are having an awesome summer - keeping really busy and doing lots of adventures together. Its really been great to have all three Johnson kiddos home together - having our own schedule and playing together as a family.

Here are some of the things we have done so far:

lots of hot tubbing - we keep the temp low enough to be kid friendly - and have definitely taken advantage of it this summer. Mulu & Aaliyah love to float, and have under water contests and play lifeguard - while are is more than content floating around all the action in her little tube.
























Here is Mulu & Aaliyah sharing a tube - this seemed like a fun idea until they had to get themselves out of it




















We enjoyed some live music one evening - here is Mulu enjoying some popcorn (Brian & the baby are in the background)



























Brian, Aria & Aaliyah groovin' to the music.




















We took a road trip to a jumping gym with Aaliyah's best friend. Here are the two girls jumping off some of that extra energy!




























Mulu, Aaliyah and their friend enjoying a light snack.






















Baby Aria taking a nap a the jumper place.




















Mulu & Aaliyah helping Uncle Dave dig holes for the posts for their new deck





















and the babies (Aria and Cousin Charlie) helping too!

Aria - 9 month update

Aria Theresa is now 9 months old. She is 29 inches long, 19 pounds and full of cuteness and spunk.

She:

• can scoot along the floor (almost crawling)
• smiles all the time
  
• can say "dada" & "mama" and means it!
• has 5 teeth
• waves hello & goodbye
• laughs at her siblings often
• likes to be outside - especially in her swing or in our hot tub
  
• gives kisses
• gives high fives
• do raspberry noises and "cluck" her tongue
  
• and is now crawling (as of June 29th - so a bit over her 9 month birthday)

Basically - she is just a fabulous brilliant baby and we are so lucky that she is a part of our family