Holiday Season 2021

The holiday season is so fun--especially with the boys being at the ages they are. They still believe and everything is magical.  Although COVID was still present this year, it felt a little more back to normal which was nice.  I wanted to make sure to capture all the fun memories on here via photos.

We wasted no time getting into the Christmas spirit--even cheating a bit and starting it before the Thanksgiving holiday with a visit to Molbaks.  And then it was non-stop from there doing all the fun traditions with some surprises thrown in like Zoo Lanterns and the winter break snowstorm.

Annual Visit to Molbaks

Zoo Lanterns with Cousins

Getting the Christmas Tree (Keith & Scott Tree Farm)

Santa Visit and Snowflake Lane with grandparents

Nate Choir Concert & Snoqualmie Tree Lighting

Decorating Gingerbread Houses with Gramma

Christmas Cookies with Nana & Pops & Cousins

Santa Train

Nutcracker with grandparents

Christmas Eve

Christmas Morning

Christmas Day

Winter Break Snowstorm

It's been a couple months now since the holiday season and it's so fun to go through all the photos and relive it all again!  Such a special year and so many memories to be grateful for.  Can't wait for next year!

Soccer

This past fall both boys got to play soccer....finally!  After much of Nathan's season getting cancelled last year and Cameron's season being non-existent, it was so nice for both boys to have a full soccer experience this year.  And what a wonderful time for it because the skill level, coordination, and excitement for the sport grew exponentially in both boys this year!

Nathan's team was the Strikers with Coach Chad and Matt.  It was a mix of kids from all the local elementary schools so it was fun for Nathan to get to meet some new friends while also having some friends on the team he already knew.  Chad and Matt have been coaching together for a couple years so we came in to a very organized and engaged team situation.  Chad was on it as a coach and put a lot of time, effort and care into coaching the boys which we were so grateful for.  Nate played a lot of midfield, forward and defense and really enjoyed all three types of positions, but we think he's the best at midfield because he's pretty fast.  This year the boys played on a larger field and played 7 vs. 7 with a goalie.  It was the first year Nate started learning about staying in your position on the field, passing more to teammates and being strategic about how to play together rather than everyone just going for the ball at the same time.  And Nate's team was really good.  I'm not sure what their final record was, but I think they maybe lost only 1 time?  They did awesome in the finals weekend too, but heartbreakingly missed the finals by 1 point.  It was a great season though.  And more than anything Nate loved it, worked hard, learned a lot, got better, and made a lot of new, fun friends.  Crossing our fingers he ends up on the same team next year!

Cameron's team was the Striking Cobras.  It was made up of friends all from his elementary school including our next door neighbor Kellen which was fun.  He was coached by Annelle, a mom of one of the boys on the team.  Many of us parents helped her out too.  In fact I got to coach one practice this past season when Annelle was out of town which was pretty fun!  Cameron's age still plays on a smaller field and plays 4 vs 4.  Cameron was by far one of the more skilled players on the field.  It helped that he played 2 years ago and for many of the boys this was their first year. Plus Cam just kind of has natural coordination and sports skills. He's pretty competitive so he wants to always be better and improve his skills.  Cam did a great job this year though building up his teammates, giving them a chance to take the ball, and helping them to get better.  And Cam scored a lot of goals for his team!  It was really fun to watch.  He definitely loves soccer and was sad when the season ended.  At Nathan's age the season is longer and Cam was definitely jealous of that.  He was sad when the season ended!

I'm realizing that one of my greatest joys as a mom is watching my kids in their activities--their growth and skill development, learning about themselves, discovering what they love and don't love, experiencing victory and defeat, etc....I'm here for it all.  Can't wait for soccer next fall!

Cameron's 7th Birthday

James and I continually say to each other how we feel like our kids are at golden ages right now.  We are really enjoying this elementary school time in our kids lives.  They are fun, funny, developing their personalities, still want to hang out with us and seem content to just be themselves.  It feels a bit like the calm before the storm of adolescence.   

Before we get too far away from his birthday I wanted to make sure to capture how we celebrated Cam this year and what he is like at age 7.  

Cam has such a fun birthday timeframe because it's the end of the summer which means good weather usually and lots of options for doing fun parties outside. This year he did a joint birthday party with his friend Vander again and we just did it at a park up the street near Vander's house. The theme was Pokemon. We just did snacks and doughnuts and the kids played at the park, had a water balloon fight and did a Pikachu pinata.  Simple and so much fun.  

I just can't believe that our baby is 7!!  Luckily he still loves to snuggle like he always has.  Here is what we want to remember about Cameron at this age:

• Cameron brings a wonderful sensitivity and empathy to our family.  He feels things deeply and is good at expressing his emotion and letting us know how he feels. I really appreciate this about him as I think it's important especially for boys to feel comfortable doing this. His area for growth is in managing those emotions in healthy ways which we're always trying to help teach him. We love his sensitive heart.
• He is an amazing artist! If we can't find Cameron or he is being really quiet, chances are he is drawing. He will spend hours on Art for Kids hub following along to make wonderful little pictures of things.  Or he'll just look at a picture and be able to replicate it so well on his own! His teacher is constantly telling us how amazed she is at his artistic ability. He has really nice handwriting as well.
• Cam is our little fashionista. He loves putting outfits together and being intentional about looking nice. Whether its a sporty, casual, or dressy outfit, Cameron always looks cool and put together.  He loves to add a special touch too with either suspenders, a tie, a vest, a hat or sunglasses. We're constantly asking him for advice about our own outfits!
• It is becoming quickly clear that Cameron is a natural athlete. We loved watching him play soccer this fall.  He is fast, coordinated, and focused.  It was also great to watch him become a leader on the field and support the development of his teammates by passing to them or letting them take the lead.  His next sports venture will be baseball in the spring.  He constantly wants to play catch with the football and has become quite the mini quarterback.  We're amazed at how far he can throw the ball and in a perfect spiral! For his birthday we got him a basketball hoop and it's been fun to watch him pick up those skills as well.
• Cameron's favorite activities or interests are playing catch, playing sports, trying his skateboard, drawing, playing with Nathan or friends, Madden football video game, Legos, Bay Blades, dancing to music, Pokemon, and pop-its or little trinkets/treasures
• He learned to swim and tie his shoes in the past year!
• He just started piano lessons this fall and just like with sports, Cameron seems to be a natural music maker. He is loving piano so far and barely even needs to look at the music.  He's like James in that he can memorize or just hear the correct notes to play.  
• Cameron's close friends right now are Devin, Leiff, Jackson, Archer, Willa, Vander, Kellen, and Warner.
• He is loving first grade especially with school being in-person this year.  He has the same first grade teacher as Nathan (Ms. Heinz) who we love and is really enjoying her class.  His favorite subjects are art and math.  
• Cameron is challenged by being the younger brother sometimes.  He loves his brother and wants to be like him and do things with him.  But he is also constantly trying to make his own way as well and be his own person. Cameron in general likes to be unique, different and not just go along with what everyone in the family is doing. It has challenged us as parents in how to balance celebrating his uniqueness and helping him cultivate that, but also managing when he becomes defiant or disrespectful in not wanting to go along with things.  
• Cam is an introvert and a processor. I so appreciate his thoughtfulness and his quiet contentment.  He prefers a calm and peaceful morning and needs time to get away to have some recharge time.
• He is such a sweet, thoughtful boy.  He gives the nicest compliments and notices things that most people wouldn't.  He has a wonderful empathy about him where can just kind of sense what you're feeling and give you a hug just when you need it.

Happy 7th Birthday, Cam!  We love you so much buddy and thanks for all the joy you bring to our lives!