Pigskin

Back in the fall, Luke started to take an interest in football. He watched games with Dad. He practiced kicking. He even ran around in the backyard with his football, escaping the tough (and invisible) defense chasing him. We decided it was time to sign him up for a new sport: flag football.

Today marked the first game for the 6 & 7-year-olds through the YMCA sports program. Today also decided to be a crazy windy day with 40+ mph winds. But the fans are loyal, and the team was ready ... and the game shall be played.

Grant cheering (well, not really, but doesn't it

look like he's yelling for big brother Luke?!)

Ready, set, hike!

Luke as Quarterback

The Fan Club

At this age, there aren't too many passing plays,

but here's one! Luke is in the center.

Huddled up for a pep talk with Coach Will.

"Okay, you hike it to me, and then I'll pass it to him."

The handoff.

Pure Happiness

Night on the Town

The opportunities to dress up and go out on the town are few and far between these days, so when the occasion does arise, it's oh-so-special. Last night Jami joined a group of friends in attending Fashion to the Rescue, a fundraiser for the Women's Resource Agency. The event featured a fashion show, dinner, and lots of laughs while catching up with friends.

Junior League friends at Fashion to the Rescue

Reid Reads!

One day recently Reid was hard at work attempting to sound something out while typing on the keyboard.

Buh. Ack. Ya. Rrrrr. Duh. Guh. Nuh. Sss.

(Translation: Backyardigans ... one of his kid shows.)

Interestingly enough, he was pretty close to the actual spelling. We started quizzing him on sounding out some other words ... Reid is starting to READ! At 4 1/2, he's still in the very early stages, but the fundamentals of reading are certainly there. His teacher recommended a series of books for beginner readers, so we've been tackling those more and more ... as well as our favorite Dr. Seuss book Hop on Pop.

So proud of our little bookworm!

Tour de Leahy

Our garage not only houses 2 cars, but a variety of other "wheels" as well. We have bikes of every shape and size. Mountain bike. Road bike. Little boy bikes. Tagalong bike. Bike trailer. All we need is a unicycle to round out our collection. (Just kidding ... but wouldn't that be fun?!)

With a 70+ degree day smiling down on us, we dusted off the bikes, aired up the tires, and hit the road! We achieved a major feat with Reid. Last year, we bought a tagalong bike from a friend. It hooks to the back of an adult bike, and the tagalong rider has his own handlebars and pedals but stays steady and upright while hooked to the big bike. Reid was a little too short to fully enjoy the bike last season, but the winter has stretched out his legs and now he can easily pedal along. In fact, he LOVED it and was giggling the entire ride while trailing behind Dad!

Luke is ready to roll!

Bicycle built for two.

Dad on his mountain bike.

Reid on the tagalong.

Off we go!

Sighting

Well, look who it is ...

Our friendly, neighborhood SPIDERMAN!

Zzzzzzzzz!

We're approaching another milestone ... this week Grant had 3 nights where he slept through the night! He fell asleep about 9:30 or 10 and slept until 5:30 or 6. One morning he even slept in until 6:30! Hey, baby, way to go!

Big Man on Campus

Reid recently had his preschool picture day. He is not a big fan of smiling for pictures, but Mr. Photographer worked his magic and captured a great school pic (with a smile even!!) of our little guy looking all grown up!

Reid's Preschool Photo - 2011

His Class Photo -- What Cuties!

(Reid is in the back row by the teacher.)

March Moments

This post is really nothing more than a collection of funny pictures of "moments" from the last few weeks. Enjoy!

Goodbye, front tooth! Luke lost his first upper

front tooth. He's still waiting for another tooth

to come in so he has 2 gaps in those pearly whites!

Thumbs up! He doesn't do this often,

but we have to giggle when G finds his thumb!

Dressed in his Sunday best with a smile.

Sitting in style in his new seat/activity center

from Grandma & Grandpa Keary!

Thank you ... he loves it!

Snuggle up!

Broadmoor Bound

As the grand finale to our Spring Break week, we took a little trip -- a 30 minute drive actually -- down to the Broadmoor resort for a family overnight stay. The Broadmoor had some great Spring Break rates plus we had some gift certificates so what better way to wrap up the boys' week off school than with a little getaway!

Room with a View

The boys stand on our balcony overlooking

the lake and the main Broadmoor Hotel.

We stayed in the Broadmoor West section,

which has bigger rooms ... bonus!

Look at these handsome guys!

Scott & Luke at dinner at the Tavern.

Mom, Grant & Reid

The Crew

(...And all the guys in ties!)

Kings of the Castle

S & J

Pool PARTY!

After dinner, we suited up for the pool,

which we discovered was a saltwater pool!

The boys had a blast splashing and swimming.

Big boy in his swim trunks!

Leahy Swim Team

Drying off our little ducklings.

What better way to spend a Sunday morning

at the Broadmoor than ... eating a donut, lounging

around on the bed, and reading the newspaper!

2 Months

The best way to describe the last 2 months is a time of growth. It is so endearing to watch the love of the brothers grow as they interact. Luke has become the "baby whisperer" and is always right there to calm Grant if he's fussy. Reid is always full of hugs and kisses for his sweet baby brother ... brotherly love at its best. And the feeling is mutual. Grant is always keeping a watchful eye on his brothers (perhaps he's taking notes for when he's older!!) and has a special smile reserved just for them. During this time, we've grown as parents to find a happy balance between work and play. This journey as a family of 5 is quite the adventure, and we're loving every moment of this crazy ride!

People ask us what the biggest adjustment is going from 2 to 3 children. Some days ... it's the noise factor. If all 3 boys are "talking" (read: Luke and Reid shouting and Grant crying), those are the moments we just sit back and laugh ... because really ... what else can you do?! Other days ... the greatest adjustment is just keeping up with the laundry. Gone are those weekly loads of laundry; welcome to multiple loads daily! Thankfully, if Jami washes and folds the clothes, then the Magic Laundry Elf (AKA Scott) puts the clothes away. Certainly, the transition from man-to-man parenting with 2 to zone parenting with 3 will be ever-changing, but for now, we're tag-teaming our efforts and finding humor everywhere we can.

So back to the topic of growth ... here are Grant's stats for his 2-month well-check. Such a happy, healthy little guy!

GRANT'S 2 MONTH STATS

Height: 23 3/4 inches (85th percentile)

Weight: 11 lbs. 11 oz. (65th percentile)

Head: 16 inches (60th percentile)

Grant at his 2-month doctor visit

Happy Camper

Spring Break '11

Spring Break is often a time for families to travel and enjoy a little vacation. Not for us this year. Since we live in a travel destination, we love being able to take a "break" from our normal routine to enjoy the fun that surrounds us. Here are a few highlights for Spring Break '11.

Kite-flying & a picnic lunch with Dad.

Yes, that is the amazing view at this park

near Scott's work with Pikes Peak in the background.

That view is one we never take for granted!

Pillow Pit Sleepover

What happens when you round up ALL the pillows

in the house and throw them on the family room floor?

You get two happy little boys who asked for not just

1 night sleeping here ... but 2! Guess it was comfy!

Grandpa & His Grandsons

We ventured out for a little daytrip to

Manitou Springs. On the agenda ...

lunch at Adams Mountain Cafe,

25 cent amusement rides,

and a little shopping.

Silly Boys!

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a sculpture!

On the return trip, we stopped to see

the Starr Kempf sculptures. There are about 7-10 structures

in the yard of this home. Now THAT's some yard art!

Half Funny. Half Cute.

One morning this week, Reid was entertaining Grant, and he stopped and said, "I think Grant is half funny, half cute." Quite a comical little observation from his older brother. So here are some photos of what Mr. G has been up to lately. You can decide which side of his personality is represented ... funny or cute.

While napping, Grant was making

this "pucker up" face.

Grant hit the pool for his first "swim" and LOVED it.

He didn't really get in the water (just his toes),

but he loved riding in Mom's WaterTot infant carrier.

He was happy as could be for the 45 minutes

we spent in the pool!

How about a knuckle sandwich?

Early on, Grant liked his pacifier. Nowadays ... not so much.

Sometimes he even gags when we try to give it to him!

He much prefers chomping on his fist.

Luke can always get Grant to smile and "talk."

Almost 2 months and quite the conversationalist!

Leahy Leprechauns

Top O' the Morning to You!

When St. Patty's Day rolls around, we like to celebrate the Irish heritage on Scott's branch of the family tree. Today, the Leahy leprechauns were decked out in their green!

Handsome Leahy Lads

Mama and her littlest leprechaun

Our little good luck charm!

Grand Visitors

Grandma & Grandpa Keary & the boys at the Broadmoor

Oh, what a treat to have some very special visitors this past weekend -- Grandma & Grandpa Keary from Kansas! We loved having them here for several days, which we filled with fun times like touring the Broadmoor, playing games & Legos, taking a family walk home from school one day, and dinner out. It meant so much to us to be able to share some memories with them during Grant's early days!

Dad & Luke enjoy our breakfast

at the Broadmoor coffee shop.

Mama & her boys at breakfast

Mimi Margie & Sweet Baby Grant

Going in Circles

The Junior League of Colorado Springs hosts an event each year called Kids in the Kitchen, which teaches children about healthy eating and active lifestyles. Since Jami was volunteering at the event in the morning, Scott brought the boys by the event to check it out. We made quite the discovery while there ... Luke is quite the hula hooper! (Is that the official term for one who hula hoops?!) Well, anyway, check him out!

Untitled from Jami Leahy on Vimeo.

If you're happy & you know it...

Oh-so-happy!

Boys ... Big & Little