Getting into the new groove

Matt started night classes this past week so we see each other about 30 minutes when I get home from work before he has to leave. The kids seem to be adjusting okay although they miss his awesome bedtime stories! Nola and Papa get lots of together time during the day while Brenner is at school - so cool that they have that one on one time.

 Our joy - are we blessed or what?!

 Brenner wanting a closeup.

 We got a little surprise on Friday....Brenner said "I got kissed at school today." What?! "I was leaning back in my chair and Kelly kissed me on the forehead and I DID NOT like it. He then proceeded to run and hide from me but I still managed this guilty picture!

 While Brenner is being Romeo, Nola is getting her nails done by Papa. What an awesome Papa! He later informed me they also trimmed and file before applying the polish. It took over an hour!

 A huge thanks to Grandma Val for coming down to take the kids to spend the night last Friday. Mommy and Papa got an adult night and celebrated by drinking a 2009 Cab from Groth. Oh it was wonderful. Thank you Grandma!!!!!

 On Saturday afternoon, the kids watched Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs. They then proceeded to find all of the characters with their toys (well they were close enough although Diego was a regular tiger and Sid was a beaver instead of a sloth). Nola then decided her little people should go in my basil!

 Sunday it was hot so we broke out the pool and waited for some friends to come over for a playdate.

 Brenner used a stick to reach locust exoskeletons in the pine tree. Good problem solving buddy!

 Brenner's friend loaned him a saber so B dressed up like a crazy superhero...not sure what he called himself but it was quite the getup!

 A moment of pure joy. I love this picture!

 Brenner's class worked on writing and counting 1-5 this week. Brenner knew the numbers but hadn't worked on writing. They learn poems for each number. His favorite is "5" - short neck, round belly - put a hat on it!

 So I admit this was disturbing when I pulled it out of his folder. I know Brenner likes bacon but was he slaughtering a hog or what?! I asked and he said all the pigs had diarrhea and one was throwing up too. Ugh - nice imagination buddy!?

A note from his teacher.

Life without Brenner......

With the first week of kindergarten under his belt, Brenner is going full steam ahead. He did ask me on Thursday night "Mom, when is school out?" Not for many months buddy! Nola is adjusting to her days without Brenner relatively well. Papa can take her out to the shop and she will simply watch him or color. Brenner, well, let's just say he is a hands on kind of kiddo that needs more supervision (or more health insurance!).  Not a lot of pictures since the last post but some hilarious Brennerisms and Nolaisms!

Nola lounging...she must like the quiet too! She was playing with one of Brenner's toy viper. Nola instructed me "Mommy, don't pick up a viper. It will bite." Why doesn't it bite you sweetie? "Because I am not married." Ah, the consequences of matrimony!

 Brenner's worksheet from the first day of class. They read "The Kissing Hand" - really great book. Anyway, you might recall that Brenner doesn't like to color so I was impressed he stayed pretty much in the lines. I asked if they got to choose the color - he said he just felt like using a pencil but "I did give him an eye patch!". Aaargh, me boy, yeer Aunt Lynnie would be proud!

On Thursday, Brenner brought home this worksheet. I noted that he used color and he said "yes, but I decided to draw the Freedom Tower and Empire State Building in the bucket instead. And my family is in the corner. Nola is the littlest." Now, click on the picture and you can see the labels. I was amazing that in the busy, new school day he was recalling our trip to NYC!

Friday his class practiced cutting hearts to make this raccoon. His teacher Mrs Bishop has been giving him good reports everyday and noted that she wished everyone listened as well as Brenner. Way to go, buddy! He continues to like the bus in the mornings but was a bit disappointed that Mrs. Bishop "doesn't know anything about snakes." Ah - the world of a five year old. We are so proud of him!

A bug thank you to Rhonda for giving us this easel. The kids were playing the other day and this is what I heard....B: "Come on, Nola, let's go get our weapons!" N: "I am a mommy, I don't need weapons." You go, girl!

I found some special guests on my pillow the other night....three Ironmen -whoa! Brenner is so funny sometimes. He brought a stuffed giraffe and asked "How old is this?" Well, you got it when you were a baby so it is 5 years old. "So....it is really old then." Oh you sweet boy - I love your thought processes!

"My whole world is about to change!"

We had kindergarten open house last night and on the car ride in we were all sitting quietly (for once!) when Brenner announced "My whole world is about to change!". Matt and I laughed and agreed! Brenner went right up to his teacher Mrs. Bishop and started talking her ear off. I was put at ease during the parents meeting that all buses have security cameras - the bus is what I have been most nervous about. Brenner was up early this morning and had requested waffles but then switched to pancakes. He ate, got dressed, and continuously asked if it was time to go to the bus stop!

 Brenner didn't want to pose for a picture because he wanted to get to the bus stop, but he really was in a better mood than this picture indicates. The morning was gorgeous!

Brenner wanted to have a picture with Nola. This is priceless.

Lunch was packed - pepperoni, cheddar cheese, Armenian cucumbers, pretzels, applesauce, choc covered pomegranates (special treat), and water. Into the snakeskin lunch bag it went!

The bus is scheduled to arrive at 7:04 am. We left the house at 6:54 am to walk the hundred yards to the bus stop. It was arriving early, so we crossed the road while Brenner practically ran on. No wave or smile back at us. The bus driver seems nice and greeted him with a wave. I didn't tear up until the bus pulled away....my little boy was gone just like that!

I shed a few tears then distracted myself with other things! The school had early out so we picked Brenner up at 12:45 pm.....the wait in the parking lot was long. We came into the drive and saw Brenner sitting with the rest of his classmates that hadn't been picked up. He appeared to be talking with the boy next to us. When Brenner finally saw us, he jumped up and told Mrs. Bishop that we were there. We were greeted with a nice smile. He said it was "boring" today as there were mostly instructions to go over. His preschool buddies are in other classes but they met up at recess and that was fun. Brenner ate lunch - well he ate the special treat, applesauce, pretzels, and some cucumbers - and that was about all we got out of him! Brenner did say the bus ride was fine but "I wasn't sure it was going to my school but it eventually did so that was okay". But he did say he would be ready to go back tomorrow!

Bike riding, school supplies, birthday party, and Jesus......

What do all of these things have in common? They are just a few of the activities that we encountered this week. Matt and I also celebrated our dating anniversary (14 years!). I asked him to tell me one way I had changed. He thought for a while then said "Now don't take this the wrong way...." (Well, this ought to be good I thought) "......I have two words - less plump." Really - plump - that is what you want to say?! "You are less round - in your face, hips, and your chest." (thank you Brenner and Nola) I did laugh and say that I definitely drink less beer now so that probably helps! Seems like just yesterday - time is flying! Whoa - here is a late breaking addition to the blog....as I am working on this Nola gets out of bed and says "gotta potty, momma" so as I meet her she asks "Are we all going to die, momma?" Boy - did that spark a bit of a long conversation! She is growing - today was her first day of Sunday school so wondering if that is what prompted her to ask the question!

 Brenner surprised me night after work by riding his bike on his own. I love the clinched lips of concentration!

 Brenner and his school supplies (folders, Clorox wipes, pencils, crayons, on and on and on. And 20!!!!! glue sticks?!?!?! To the right you will see his snake skin lunch bag which he is very excited about! Can't believe this day is upon us!

 I think they will miss each other!

 On Saturday, we helped cousin Krsytee celebrate her 20th birthday! It was a lot of fun! Aunt Lynnie's peach pie was soooooo delicious!

 As Lynn put it "We have been through a lot the past 20 years!"

 Nola lounging around on Sunday morning - she does not spring out of bed like her brother!

 Jesus....at least Brenner playing Jesus at the church play.

Jesus makes a paralyzed man (his buddy Cooper) walk.

Let the celebration begin at the miracle! Brenner and all the kids did fabulous and had a lot of fun which it is all about!

Butterfly festival at Powell Gardens

What a busy week! The kids were on the run at home with Matt in between thunderstorms and then Saturday we accepted Grandma Val's invitation to Powell Garden to see the butterfly festival. Today we a little rough - Nola got stung by two red wasps while playing at the Fort. Two big stings - one on each thigh - poor thing. She is doing well but doesn't want to walk much and who could blame her! So here is a Brennerism for the week. We were walking one night and I had worn a sundress to work. Brenner came up and rubbed my tummy and said "Mommy, you look like you are pregnant." I said "Well I guess it is time to get rid of this dress." He said "No, no mommy. Don't get rid of it. I meant it makes your behind look pregnant." Geesh - that is soooo much better. It is now washed and in the donation bag. To his credit, it isn't a flattering dress and I wore it the week before Nola was born!

 Aaargh, me mateys, we gonna walk the plank! Fun with Papa who made the eye patches.

 Brenner was taking some zucchini and cucumbers to our neighbor when it started pouring. Once home he decided to play in it a bit more!

 Papa took the kids to Bass Pro and purchased another fish pillow. This one is a blue marlin like the one Papa caught and has been named "Marley". Yeah, says mommy, with extreme sarcasm. What is worse huge toys that take up a lot of room or minuscule toys with 20 pieces that are never in one place?!

Lunch on the deck one day...Nola doesn't look impressed!

 We spent Saturday at the Butterfly festival - the weather was great and the company was even better!

 Thank you Grandma Val for inviting us. Nola made a special request for Aunt Lynnie to come so she joined us with Uncle Chris and Cousin Krystee too!

 Brenner finding the caterpillars on the flowers.

 Brenner learning about the different kinds of caterpillars. He asked the staff really good questions!

 Some were HUGE!

 Brenner was so, so excited to soak it all in.

 He talked this lady's ear off for a while. We finally had to tell him to move along because other people wanted to see the caterpillars at the end!

 An atlas month. That is Brenner's hand for scale - it was huge!

 Mommy, Papa (or Popee as Nola has taken to call him), and Nola. Brenner was too busy looking for more butterflies to stop for a picture!

 He found some that he got to touch - one finger gentle on its back.

 Lunch break - thanks again Grandma - it was so much fun!

On Sunday Brenner comes pounding on the front door. I open it up and at first think he has a rat but it is a bunny. Brenner wanted to "examine" it before letting it go. Nola seems to be thinking "Oh, boy. Good luck escaping this kid. His survival rate of animals he has captured is 0% (if you don't count the two turtles that Papa let escape)! Brenner certainly does love animals and the outdoors. Very much a "little Matt"!