Recent Crafting Fun

I haven't posted much in the past few weeks.  We've been keeping very busy around here.  We are having some work done in the yard at our home.  I cannot wait to show the finished products.  

So when I haven't been writing, we've been crafting/cooking around here.  I think I mentioned that Ryan is currently obsessed with My Little Pony.  He and I watched a youtube video about My Little Pony cupcakes, and after that he just had to make some.  

Ours were a little different than the ones on the video.  Ours were inspired by the pony named Rainbow Dash. (Ryan's Favorite!)

We made Rainbow cupcakes from regular white boxed mix and some food coloring.  Other than leaving us with lots of dishes to clean it was easy and fun.  

We frosted them in light blue buttercream.

Not only were they cute, but they were delicious too.  And Ryan thought it was such a special day to eat My Little Pony Cupcakes.

Since the front yard was getting a bit of a facelift around here, I decided the wreath needed an upgrade too.  I really wanted to make something, but I didn't want to spend an arm and a leg doing it.  I also wanted it to be easy.

I found this tutorial here.  It shows how to make this really easy wreath.  The wire frame was less than $4 and the fabric was $13.  If you use coupons it will be less.  You just tie the fabric around the wire frame.  It took quite a while, but it was super easy so I didn't mind taking the time to do it.  Overall, I'm happy with how it came out.  

So that's what I've been up to.  How about you?  

Soccer

Ryan had his first ever soccer game the other weekend.  He absolutely loved it.  It is so cute to watch him learning something new.  It's good for him to get his energy out and play with little friends too.  

They have little fields and play 4 V 4 for about 24 minutes each week.  It's nothing serious and just pure fun.  

 It's helping Ryan learn the rules of the game.

 So this is how he dribbles the ball down the field.

It may be the cutest thing ever.  

 I cannot help but smile when I watch him trying so hard and being so adorable.

 What a stud!

 Here he goes again.

 He looks like such a big boy here.  If he plays soccer when he's older, I am so going to have to compare this photo to one when he's a teenager.

 Can you see the little smirk on his face?  He's loving it!

So now that I posted all the photos, let me tell you two quick stories about soccer with Ryan.

The first week, Ryan (and all the kids) had a lot to learn about the basic rules of the game.  I'll never forget one of Ryan's first plays in the game.  The ball goes out of bounds over the goal line.  There is a field just behind the field we are on.  Everyone stops waiting for the referee to bring the ball back....everyone except for Ryan that is.  Ryan goes and gets the ball and starts dribbling it down the field....only it isn't the field they are playing on, it's the field behind theirs.  He dribbles it all the way down that field and shoots at the furthest net.  The poor kid was so happy.  Everyone was just looking at him.  He hadn't a clue that what he was doing wasn't the norm for the game.   He was proud and so was I, and it really was such a cute sight ;)

This past week at his second game I tried to explain to him that when the other team has the ball, you can try to take it away from them.  Ryan never tried though, even when he was the only one defending the goal.  After the game I asked him why he didn't try to take the ball away from the other team, and he said, "They're friends too, and they need to win sometimes."  I couldn't argue with that!

In Memory of Kindness

I know that everyone has heard enough of the events of last week in Boston, but I feel the need to write about what is on my heart and mind.

Yesterday was a day to honor the MIT Police Officer Sean Collier who was killed by the terrorists as they tried to continue their reign of terror over our city.  I don't want to focus on how Sean Collier died, and I certainly do not want to give any more attention to the criminals who hurt so many people.

But I cannot stop thinking about this young police officer.  He was 26 years old.  He had so much ahead of him.  His life was falling into place as he was living his dream of being a police officer.  He chose a career of service and protection to other people.  However, it wasn't just through his job in which he made his mark on our community.

The more I hear about Sean Collier, the more I realize how much the world lost the day he was taken.  Even as a young college student Sean Collier donated money to The Jimmy Fund on a regular basis.   When he saw a woman crying in a local restaurant, his first thought was that he wanted to help that woman.  I am sure you can find the heartwarming stories that his family has shared on the internet if you want to know more.

Sean lived his life making a difference in the lives of those around him.  He didn't do it for the attention though.  In fact, you would never have heard about these little acts that Sean Collier did on a regular basis if he hadn't tragically and senselessly had his life taken.  And my guess is that Sean Collier was fine that.  He just wanted to help others.

If there is one bright spot that can come from so much sadness, let it be Sean Collier setting an example for the rest of us to follow.  Let's remember how he cared for others and wanted to make positive changes.  It's sometimes the small and simple acts that we do for others that make big statements.  Sean's life is a testament to how simply caring can make a huge impact on so many other people.  I never met Sean Collier, but I want to remember him by trying spread the kindness he showed in his life everyday.  I can only hope that the darkness of all this tragedy will lead to more light shining in this world.