Soccer and More

 Lila is playing soccer for the first time this year and guess who's her coach? Her Mamma! I honestly did not know the first thing about soccer (and still don't know much) before her first game, but I am giving it a try anyway. The league was having a shortage of coaches for her age group and so I decided to volunteer. We are the Queens and it is a very fitting name for my girls. So far we have had 3 games and it really is great fun seeing all of my little ladies running up and down the field chasing the ball.  I'm not sure if soccer will be something Lila will pursue in the future, but for now we are having a "ball"!

We spent last week going to the park, the zoo, and doing fun things before both kids started school this week. It was a beautiful day at the zoo. James was fascinated with all of the animals but loved the elephants the best.  Lila and a grizzly bear connected and had a marvelous conversation.  I was a little worried about the strength of the glass between the two of them though. Both Lila and the grizzly seem entranced with the other, cool to watch but a little unnerving.  

 I loved feeding the birds! James and Lila were both very in awe of having such beautiful creatures within reach. They did really great though and were very gentle and sweet with them.

 James felt like such a big boy riding the carosel.  He has ridden before, but in my lap so this was big stuff for him. I can't believe my baby is going to be 2 next week.

 I met a lady at the park that has started a "Mom's and Tot's group here in Oxford and I am really looking forward to going to those events. She has great things scheduled such as a fire station tour, a hayride, and many others.  It is nice to stay busy and visit with other mom's when you have a little one at home.

James goes to Occupational Therapy every other week in Tupelo. After each session he gets a few minutes to play in the ball pit.  Over the summer Lila has been going with us to therapy and they both love playing with the balls.

 Last Thursday was James' first day at school.  Well, it's really only Mother's Morning Out at our church two half-days a week, but  still... the morning of his first day I woke him up and held him tight for a long time, tears creeping up. It's hard to believe that he is big enough for this. 


I have been worrying how he would do at MMO for about 6 months (since he had been accepted into the program). Would he be able to communicate with the teachers? His classmates?  Would he be able to do the activities, play with the other kids appropriately?  Because of this worry I had planned for his 2 early intervention therapists to go to his MMO to aid him in the activities that they do during the day. His speech therapist and special instructor were going to be there to help him for 2 hours on Tuesday and 1 hour on Thursdays. I had it all figured out. James' great MMO teacher wanted to let him come for the first two weeks alone, just to see how he managed, and so his classmates could get adjusted too.


I met with his teacher and the director of the MMO today and they said James was doing terrific! He was the only one who didn't cry, he was socializing with the other kids, and communicating with everyone just fine. His teacher suggested we let him be "like everyone else" and come on his own.  I know this won't always be the response I am given, but  for now it is a great feeling. I am such a proud Momma.  I called his early intervention therapists and they were proud too.  My baby is growing up, and I am cheering him all along the way.

 Big sister had her first day of school last Friday.  She was excited but a pro at this school stuff now so, I happily waved to her as she skipped inside with the teacher. My four-year-old little sweetheart. She is soaking stuff up like a sponge, and there are definitely times when she asks things that I don't have an answer for (thank goodness for google!).  She is growing up fast too, and I have to remind myself to cherish every last sassy moment.