Project: Nikita Miles Alexander Johnson

i'm a little behind on my posting, as usual, however i do want to introduce you all to a new tab i've created at the top of the blog called: "2012 photo journal".  i'm going to {attempt!} to take a picture a day of nick this year to see how he's grown, and better document what the crazy guy is up to!  i've already missed one day, but with all new year's resolutions, i think we're allowed a do-over or two early on in the game!  hope you enjoy watching the russky grow with us!

here's the direct link in case you want to save it...
http://2texansandalittlerussky.blogspot.com/p/2012-photo-journal.html

xoxo...liese :o)

Futbol Round Two

It's that time of year again...the weather's getting a little cooler.  The sun goes down earlier.  The kid's strap on their shin-guards and cleats and head to the soccer fields!  This year is really no different than last year.  Yes, Nicky is about a foot taller (man this kid grows like a weed!), and yes, the uniforms are much nicer.  However, the randomness that is our child running around like a crazy man on the field hasn't changed a bit!  

He still enjoys chasing his shadow; the chalk lines are somehow amazing to him; he can't be bothered to run for any long periods of time; and running and kicking at the same time...forget about it!  On the plus side...he does really enjoy the time he spends with the other boys on his team.  We were lucky enough to have Ethan and Jordan (twins), and Trevor on our team again this season (we also played t-ball with them this summer).  

I suppose that's the most important thing - Nicky is having fun and getting over his social anxiety somewhat and he's outside being active.  Never mind the fact that Momma has a hard time watching because he refuses to try (Daddy had a harder time with the non-t-ball playing).  Not that we want to be those parents that push their kids into various activities, but maybe if he actually tried to play, he might find that he's good at it.  Oh well...we're happy he gets out on the field and doesn't just sit on the sideline refusing to go in at all!

Pelé in the Making

Last night was Nicky's 1st attempt at soccer, and I have to say, it was not the calamity Kris and I had feared.  The kid's actually got a little bit of talent!  We've played a little bit here and there (ok, like 2 or 3 times maybe, totalling about 1 hour tops), and outlook did not look good.  However, after running around for an hour with the other little Pelé wannabes, the Russky is showing some promise.  Of course, that could all fall apart at Saturday's game, seeing that there will be a lot more people there to watch, and he doesn't like to perform in front of others.  But, who knows?  He might surprise us even more!

Here is a picture of us trying to get Nicky ready for practice.  The putting on of the socks is no easy feat (pun intended), and we laughed so hard as he looked at us like we were crazy people trying to get them over the bulky shin-guards (with no help from him I might add)!

All ready to go...

Showing off his mad skills...

Funny things heard from Nicky while getting ready and on the field:

1. what deez socks?!  (said while we were trying to put the super-tight and way too big socks on him as he sat like a limp piece of celery)
2. deez shoes fancy!!!  (after we finally got his big ol' Fred Flintstones shoved into the narrow, pointy cleats)
3. i go home watch tv?  (after 10 minutes playing BEFORE the coach even arrived)

One of the dads made the point that since we don't get to go see movies anymore, we can use soccer as our comic relief.  And that it was.  It was quite hilarious to hear the coach telling the kids to not use their hands, as they picked up the ball and moved it to a more convenient kicking spot, etc.  Each kid was given their own ball and they practiced dribbling their own ball and tried to score goals with their own ball.  Why do I keep repeating "their own ball"?  Well, because it will be interesting to see how aggressive the little guys are at the game when they find out there is only one ball to play with!  I have visions of Nicky saying "momma!  dey not sharing wif me!"  Oy vey...better spike my coffee! :)   

After one minor grass picking incident, and one "wtf?!" moment (watching Nicky standing, bent over, resting his head on the ball, looking through his legs, while waiting his turn to practice shooting goals), we strapped Nicky into his booster seat.  He asked "i do that agin sometime?".  Absolutely son, bright and early Saturday morning as a matter of fact!