Late Summer 2015

1st Soccer Practice

 This magical thing has begun to happen in the Allen household. A certain man child is beginning to sleep just a teensy-weensy bit later than usual. I am so glad that we didn't try to get Jonathan to do any "sports" prior to age five, but oh how glorious it is to see all this male aggression and competitiveness channeled into something productive. And he loves it! I love watching him love it!

Mr. Jonathan scored one of only two goals in his scrimmage today and kept a point or two from being scored against his team. I think he likes playing soccer! Daddy was able to come for Jonathan's first practice. Jason also got roped into helping coach that first day and that may have been the golden key for Jonathan. I text updates to Jason during the final hour scrimmages each Friday afternoon. Another bonus? Jonathan's coach is one of his AWANA leaders.

As of two Sundays ago, Jonathan became an AWANA Spark and Melanie became an AWANA Cubbie. They really seem to be enjoying the time with friends and leaders, and they are eager to learn more about being a part of God's family.

1st gymnastics class

 Melanie has been interested in gymnastics since we picked up her friend Sydney at her gymnastics classes a couple times back in Texas. We even got to visit one of Sydney's competitions. Melanie is very limber and not at all squeamish about turning somersaults or standing on her hands. Her only issue is actually listening to her coach and following directions. We're working on that. It's a lot of fun watching her enjoy gymnastics and it does double duty as physical therapy to loosen up her tight core.

 Saturday we attended a birthday party in Falls Church. Animals and cupcakes equal very happy kids. Afterward, we stopped off at the mall at Tyson's Corner and stocked up on coffee before heading up to the play area and food court. Mama got a Five Guys fix (They are awesome about cooking up gluten-free on a separate grill, and the meat is yummy... especially when you cheat and add cheese to the order.). Daddy and the kids got some Marble Slab and a ride on the mall choo choo train.

The kids were super with the animals and were very well-behaved at the party.

It was one of those days when you feel extra confident about your parenting skills and all seems right with the world.

 This, however, was not one of those days.
Nice.

Look at this sweet girl!

These pictures were taken on a Sunday at the very end of August. We headed north to Lovettsville for a free concert at their town center. Turns out, we had the date wrong. So we went just a few miles further north and took the kids on a little hike just over the state line at the C&O Canal trail in Brunswick, Maryland. Growing up in Texas, it is still crazy to me that I can be in another state within a half hour headed one direction, and within 45 minutes going the other.

 We're kind of in that murky phase where we're feeling more settled, but things just don't quite feel normal yet. However, we're just at month four. I'm hoping we'll start to feel a little more normal within the next couple months and start feeling really home shortly after that. Our new community is warm and loving and very patient with us. I think we'll start feeling firmly at home very soon.