So Much Happening- July 2011

Rya had her first soccer practice today! It's more of a skills clinic, but she had fun and did really well. They played some games that helped with dribbling and kicking.

This is when she told the teacher, "I'm super fast!" She sure is- gets that from Daddy.
There was some confusion on Rya's part about why she couldn't use her hands to place the ball where she wanted.


She needed her "soccer hair" for practice!
Rya got new goggles (thanks, Grandma Linda!) and has worn them the majority of the time since. There are a number of friends who can attest to her love of these pink goggles.
Swim time with the cousins and a new hat from Grandma Linda's trip to San Diego.
Fourth of July family photo.
It seemed safe at the time to light fireworks in the backyard. Max loved the fireworks!
Max and Rya!

Ready for the parade!
The banner Rya and I made for Jason to welcome him home after surgery. It kept falling off the wall, so we took the picture on the floor.
Getting a new roof! Woo-hoo!

Jason's incision with 13 staples.
The month isn't even half over, so stay tuned for more summer fun photos!

Rya- Future Soccer Star

Today Rya got her first pair of soccer cleats, shin guards, and socks. The shoes are black with pink stripes and the other two items are pink (not shocking if you have been around Rya lately- it must all be pink!). Since Rya doesn't do well without a lot of prepping, Jason got out his gear this morning and put it on to show Rya what to expect. She has been telling us over and over again that she loves soccer and is ready to start in a few weeks. We hope she likes it as much as she thinks she will! She is getting ready for bed now with her shin guards and cleats on and she napped in her cleats today.

Rya is not old enough to be on a team yet, but she is taking a Kidz Love Soccer class (a parent participation class) starting in a few Saturdays. Hopefully Jason will be able to attend by then (after his back surgery) because I'm at the same level as Rya when it comes to soccer skills!

Garage Remodel

The breezeway (space between our house and garage) will be gone very soon! That space will become our third car garage and we will have a double garage door on the front of the existing garage. In addition, we are having the power line that now goes over our yard to the house put under ground (how else can Jason properly play basketball?) and getting a new roof. So far, we have a new driveway, a giant trench in the backyard (for the conduit and wire), and our existing garage is down to its frame. The project should be done mid-July!

The trench is about 4 feet deep. I'm glad I didn't have to dig it!

The old driveway is gone!

The framing for the new driveway!

New driveway is done!

The garage is down to the frame!

Look like Mommy?

I'm starting to believe everyone who says Rya looks like me. What do you think?

Rya- 28 months

Melanie- 20 months

Preschool Performance

Rya had her first preschool performance tonight. We had to bribe her with ice cream, but she stood up on "stage" (the blacktop) with her classmates and sometimes sang along.

Here they come... marching out from "backstage". Rya is the one crying and trying to go back in the building. Awesome.

Rya had many admirers come to see her. Both grandmas were there and Grandpa Lazar came, too!
Here's the program!


I guess it pays to be an Allen when things are alphabetical! Rya is first on the list!

Our little rose!

You Are My Sunshine
Flowers!

Teacher Diana is a saint!

This is when we ran out of battery in the camera. What wasn't pictured was the "show" Rya gave everyone at the end. The whole time she barely moved around, but when she thought it was over she started doing all sorts of tricks like downward facing dog with one leg lifted. The audience got a kick out of it and we thought it was pretty cute as well.

Go, Jason!

Jason, First Place (Overall)

Max, Second Place (Overall)

(This charming young man was not third place, but the guy who won that title asked the boy to stand in his place. The boy did run, but not that fast. Third place overall was a 12 year old girl!)

Today Jason competed in a 2.3 mile "fun run" and won first place overall. The race cost $5 and he won an iPod dock worth far more than that. Pretty good prize for a 12:48 minute race! I was teasing him before the start about a very fast-looking 12 year old girl (who, if you read above, came in third with about 6:00 minute miles!) and made sure he knew that if she beat him he wouldn't live it down. Jason ran 5:33 minute miles without much training. It was a bittersweet finish knowing that he still has his speed, but will have to once again go under the knife for his back this June- just one day after the 11th anniversary of his first surgery. This surgery is far less invasive, but will still keep him from working out or lifting anything (even Rya) for at least a month.

Congratulations to my awesome husband! I'm insanely jealous and will continue to live vicariously through his victories!

Shortstop

It's not the end of the world (though some crazies predicted today would be) even though I've posted three times this week and we got a pet. Welcome our newest member of the family, Shortstop. Our tiny tortoise is the perfect pet. He eats very little, doesn't shed, is pretty content to hang out in the sun, and will live a LONG time. Come over and visit!