team green giants

Back in January, we signed Brooke up for another season of soccer through Walnut Ridge Baptist Church.  I love that they have a practice-then-play schedule, which means it's a Saturday only commitment. She seemed really excited, but was a little disappointed when an email from the coach stated that their team color would be kelly green. She informed me that she was hoping for yellow (Team Shine) like last year. 

The morning started with the breakfast of champions, haha. I had to take a picture because she has been obsessed with waffles for months now. She loves them with jam or syrup as well, but when we're running late, butter it is!

Her coach's name was Jacob, and although he was a really nice guy, Kevin and I weren't a huge fan of his "coaching."  They didn't do many actual drills, and it seemed like he had a hard time getting the kids to work together as a team. Kevin's least favorite part of practice was a game called "hit the coach", where they all tried to hit the ball at him, and when they did, the kid would pick an animal sound.  I have no idea what the point of that was, but it seemed like a big waste of time. Maybe we were just expecting a lot, I don't know? 

Brooke seemed to have fun at practice, and through some parent scheming, she was on the same team as her friends Avery and Elias from church.  An added surprise was when a boy from Brooke's preschool class was also on the team!

After practice, the team would sit together for a snack and devotional.  I love that they did this :)  On the first day, they also picked their team name.  Brooke had the idea of being the green giants, and during their team pow-wow, she turned to me and shouted, "We are going to be the Green Giants, I told you!"  I loved that she voiced her suggestion and that she was so confident in herself.  She talked a lot to the coach, and was so sweet about encouraging the other kids on her team.  One girl in particular would not listen to the coach and didn't run to the other side of the field with the team.  On her own accord, Brooke ran back to the other side and tried to get the girl to run with her.  Made my Mama heart extremely proud.

Colby wanted in on all the action as well!  We had our work cut out for us to keep this one entertained (and off the field) during practices and games.

Week #2 (It's a good thing I did a different hairstyle each week so I could keep all the pictures straight.)

I absolutely adore this picture of her with those cute rope twists and foot on her soccer ball.  Looks like a soccer girl to me.

Colby had a way of getting snacks and drinks from Miss Rachel (E's mom) every week!

Sweet friends: Elias, Brooke and Avery.

Grandma and Papa were babysitting Kinley and Aubrey for the weekend, and brought them to the game as well.  Brooke LOVED having them there!

Week #3...

Totally candid moment when Brooke put her arm around Avery.  Brooke really is such a sweet girl to her friends, and was always the first one to cheer or congratulate her teammates on a job well done. 

I just love her!

Team Devotional and our week for snacks...

Funny story I want to remember:  After devotional that first week, the Coach said a prayer and used wording that was a bit different than what Brooke is used to hearing. As soon as he finished, Brooke started telling him things like "we start by saying dear heavenly father", and "at the end, we say in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."  He was polite, and just thanked her.  The next week, as he was about to start, he looked at Brooke and asked how he was supposed to say it.  Although I did talk to Brooke about how people are allowed to pray however they want, I was proud of her for sticking up for what she thought was the correct way to pray.  In her defense, it does sound weird to just start a prayer with "God", but I think it's because we usually say Heavenly Father rather than God.  But either way, I love that they can incorporate religion into soccer.

Another thing I love about this league is the way they hold hands and pray at the end of each game!

Colby was eager to play once the actual game was over, and he wanted Sissy to try to steal the ball from him. 

Grandma and Papa have been all-star supporters at the games.  My favorite was when a little boy asked Jerry if he played soccer as well, haha.  I'm guessing he thought the leg brace was some sort of shin guard. 

Week #4...

Brooke was on fire during practice, but the game was another story, haha!  I think part of it was due to the heat (noon game), but she just wan't into it.  She was skipping more than running, and was not actually trying to get to the ball.  The competitive side of me was frustrated, but I eventually toned it down and realized that no amount of cheering or shouting to get the ball was gonna do a darn thing.

Week #5: We had a crazy turn in weather and temps were in the 40's!  They cancelled practice and just opted for games so the kids didn't get too cold. Brooke was bummed, but had the idea to "practice on our own at the field by our house."  We bundled her up, but as we stepped out of the garage and the wind chill hit her, she changed her mind.  Then she decided that she actually didn't want to go to soccer.  Oh, dear!  I had to do lots of pep talks about how she could be the team leader and encourage everyone to be good sports despite the cold.  She finally decided that she could do it, and she did awesome at her game.  She even scored her first goal, which we were SO thrilled about. When I asked how she did it, she simply replied, "I did little kicks, and then a big kick, and it just went in."  I was so happy for my little girl.  

 Trying to stay warm during the game...

She kept her hands in her pockets as she ran to keep them toasty :)

 Caught this picture as she went through the team tunnel, and I was dying laughing as I looked at it closely.  She is most definitely licking the snot dripping from her cold nose, haha!

Had to document that first goal!!

 Colby wanted his OWN picture with Daddy.

 Week #6: Cancelled, 5 minutes before we were going to leave the house!  It had been raining through the night, and just prior to practice time, it started raining again.  Brooke was so disappointed, but stayed in her soccer uniform for the majority of the day.

 Week #7: Kevin and I had been on a weekend adventure, so Grandma and Papa took Brooke to practice and we showed up for the game. 

I love my sweet boys, and I'm excited that Colby will get the chance to play next Spring.

It was a perfectly beautiful day to end the season...

 The team huddled up to receive their medals, and take a group picture.  Thanks for a fun season, Green Giants!

 Brooke was excited to go upstairs and compare this medal to her last one :)  She commented about how she wanted to earn 100 medals, so we have lots of soccer in our future.

little hearts graduation

She is just the cutest thing ever!!  Unbeknownst to me, they took these cap and gown pictures on picture day, and my heart melted when I saw Brooke's! I gladly paid the $35 for the digital image of my sweet, sweet girl. She has grown and changed so much this year, and we have both loved all aspects of her experience at Little Hearts Preschool. 

The graduation took place on a Sunday evening and was such a beautiful evening.  They had a sweet program, then had the students walk in to Pomp and Circumstance.  Seeing all those sweet children walk up on stage was a tender moment.  Then the singing began, and I started crying as I tried to NOT appear to be crying since Brooke was looking right at us. When "Class of 2031" came on, I wanted to laugh!  That sounds SO far away, but I hope the time does pass a little more slowly than the last 5 years have.

They spotlighted each student, stating something about their family, where they are going to Kindergarten, and what they want to be when they grow up.  Mrs. Angela announced Brooke, that she was the daughter of Kevin and Katie Meador, is going to Daulton Elementary, and wants to be a builder and a Mama when she grows up :)  She had already informed us on the drive over that she doesn't want to be a builder, but that they wouldn't let her change it. I'm sure they didn't want to deal with the constant changes from 4 year olds, so I assured her that she could be whatever she wanted to be. 

Pictured below is Mrs. Ashley, the school's director. I loved her so much, and was sad when she announced that she was stepping down as director for next year.  She wanted more time with her family, which I think is great, but she will be missed!

We are so proud of our girl, and are excited for what the future holds.

Grandma and Papa were able to come as well, and Brooke loved having them there.

We had to take a picture with Ms. Danielle, another one of Brooke's favorite people at Little Hearts.  She taught Bible class, and had the most amazing relationship with Brooke.  Some of the teachers and staff would stand outside each morning and greet the children, and Ms. Danielle was always the recipient of Brooke's big hugs. This woman radiated love, and Brooke definitely felt it. 

And last, but not least, was Brooke's teacher, Mrs. Angela.  I could not have asked for a better teacher for Brooke as we introduced her to the school environment.  She was patient, kind, and loving to our little girl.  I recently had a conversation with a friend (Danielle) who said that when her daughter started school, she was worried that her teachers wouldn't know how special she was.  I could totally relate, because I wanted someone who knew what I see in my daughter.  I truly felt like Mrs. Angela loved Brooke and would send me notes about how my girl was precious, and a total sweetheart. She even sent her a note the week before Kindergarten that said "Hi Brooke, I hope you've had an amazing summer.  I'm praying for you as you start school next week.  You're a precious girl with a huge heart. Keep using that brilliant mind God has given you to make good choices and learn new things. You're going to be great in Kindergarten!  Hugs. Love you, Mrs. Angela"  I read that sweet note a million times, and Kevin made a comment about how sound her advice was.  

When Brooke returned her cap and gown, she was given her own children's bible with her name inside the cover. It was such a nice parting gift, and although the book has like 300 pages, we've already read through it twice as we do scripture time as a family each night.  The kids have loved the stories, and I have learned a ton, haha!

I am excited for Colby to attend Little heart in a year :)  The new director is the woman who taught music before, so hopefully the experience will continue to be an amazing one. Little Hearts is truly a gem.

lynn creek park

It's pretty amazing when your friend doubles as your personal photographer! We spent a beautiful morning at the lake with friends, and Danielle captured these sweet pictures of my kids. 

I love watching my kids play at the beach!  Brooke especially loves it, and would play in the sand for hours if we had no schedule to keep. This particular day, she played a ton with Brandt and they worked hard at hollowing out a hole in the sand to then fill with water.

The water was freezing, but they still wanted to take a quick dip.  I know the temperatures will be HOT in a matter of weeks, so i'm trying to soak up these beautiful spring days while they last!

Not my best side, but I am grateful that Danielle took some pictures of me playing with the kids.  I love playdates because they allow me to have time with my friends while the kids play with theirs, but sometimes it's hard when the kids are wanting more attention than i'm giving.  Colby is especially needy at the beach, but I have to remind myself that the days of him wanting to hold my hand and be near him aren't going to last forever. And I hope that he'll have happy memories of Mama playing with him :)