Spring has Sprung...My Heart is Full

Spring in the Midwest is finally here.  Temperatures have warmed up and instead of freak snowstorms we are getting thunderstorms and showers.  Days are getting longer and the boys' activities are filling those evenings.  Brayden's soccer and Ian's baseball are in full swing.  Our evenings and weekends are spent at one sports field or another.  Little Miss Attitude has decided that this round of sports isn't near as fun.  She doesn't like her stroller near as much as she did in the fall :-)  It is a work in progress. 

Hard to believe that this guy has been playing soccer for almost 6 years now!

He chose #4 because of Reds 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips.  He is such a sport nut!

 Spring and walking has opened a whole new world for Miss Hailey.  She seems to be looking everything with new eyes.  Birds chirping, grass, sticks, the kids playing, cars driving by, trees, etc.  Everything seems to catch her attention.  I love watching her play outside and try to chase down the older kids, which isn't too hard because they seem to stop by frequently to chat and play with her.  Each week she is also taking baby steps in her communication.  She keeps adding new signs and new spoken words.  This week, it was "E" for big brother Ian.  We all call him that.  She also has added "here" and "tank to".  Every time she hands you something she says, "here".  Sometimes she signs thank you and sometimes she says "tank to". 

Hmm...I might like this stuff

I wonder if I can sneak this in the house by hiding it in my shirt?

What me?  No, I haven't had any of the chalk near my mouth!  Blue on my face, really?

Wonder who I can find down this way?

Oh wait, guys!  I'm over here!

No mom, I'm not coming home.  I'm heading this way.

See...I can play basketball with the boys!

 Two years ago, these images were too hard to imagine.  So much of what Hailey has accomplished, I didn't know if she would do.  Her personality shines brighter than I ever imagined.  She is exhibiting so many typical 2 year old behaviors (there are a few I was okay if she skipped :-)  I'm so proud at everything she has accomplished and how hard she tries.  The funny thing is...she will never understand that.  She is just being Hailey.  She doesn't know anything else.  To her, she is just having fun, exploring her world, loving her family and friends.  She will never realize how much she has filled my heart by just being herself.