Mason's soccer team

Mason started playing soccer last week! He LOVES it, and it is truly adorable!!!! The first video we shot was on our video camera (a mini DVD, which doesn't work in a MAC) so this is from his second meeting today. The best video was actually one where they weren't using soccer balls, although they did add them in round two where they had to pull flags while dribbling the ball. He did much better this week not using his hands. Last week, we were all laughing so hard, as he'd dribble the ball around, but as soon as it got close to a teammate or in a spot he simply didn't like, he'd pick it up, move it, then start dribbling again - HA! We worked on it at home, and talked to him about it and he didn't use his hands hardly at all this week - yay! We had also talked to him a lot about needing to listen to his coach on the field as much as he would listen to mommy and daddy. Well, he took the advise very seriously as he was never more than a foot or so behind the coach last week! He's just the cutest thing EVER!!!!! His preschool class was unfortunately full, but he's on the list for the next quarter starting after the holidays, so we're doing only soccer until then :o)

Peyton has been coming along greatly with her psychical therapy. She's getting stronger and stronger in her core, arm, and leg muscles, which is so wonderful to see! She's standing while supporting herself on stable items. She loves to dance to music, and play with anything that makes noise or is musical. She definitely has a STUBBORN streak in her - gee, wonder where that comes from? (daddy!!!) She could crawl if she wanted to, all her muscles are more than able to support and do the motion, but she simply refuses. She'd much rather stand and if there's something she wants to get to, she rolls to it - HA! I think we're pretty much in for it with her :o) We have discovered, through her therapist, that her hands have great sensitivity from keeping them closed in fists for so long, and have been working very hard with sensory and massage exercises to get them opened up and decrease the sensitivity. It's also proved very successful! With those little fists opening however, we've also found she is double jointed in both joints of her thumbs. So much so she will extend her four fingers out, and keep her thumbs in tight to the palm. The therapist explains it as her way of getting stability of the thumb. Other wise it's really loosey goosey, for lack of a better word. She can bend it almost all the way backwards, and it makes grabbing small items very difficult. We have been advised to set up a consultation with a pediatric orthopedic surgeon to have both hands evaluated and x-rayed for possible treatment solutions. This could be anything from soft splints, or neoprene braces on her hands until the muscles get strong enough to control the thumbs better, to a surgical fix. I'm obviously praying for the first and will keep you all posted once we have more information.

Peyton's MESSY face after a cereal bar!

All cleaned up and still happy!!!

The other weekend we also attended Beckett's baptism and were made the godparents of our little nephew! We celebrated after the service with a wonderful lunch at Stacy and Eric's capping off the perfect 'family' day!

Beckett isn't letting the event disrupt his nap time!

the proud parents and godparents!

Tristen, Beckett, Mason, & Me!

Last week I took the kids to Spokane for a few days to spend some time with my mom. We unfortunately had to take the next step and put my grandma (her mom) in an assisting living home. She suffers from dementia and had progressed past the capabilities my parent's and in home care could provide. It was a tough step, but one that was necessary to continue taking care of her in the special ways required. She had lived with my parents for about 18 years, but has only become sick in the last few. Having the grand babies around was a nice distraction for my momma, and one I was happy to provide!

Well, I guess that's a good update for the time being - off to bed!!!