Scholarships, science, and seafood

We got some big news this week - Matt won a scholarship! Woohoo - way to go Papa! The scholarship will help him purchase some additional tools as he continues to work his way to becoming a gunsmith.

 The scholarship required him to send a picture...so I thought it should go on the blog as well!

 Brenner has been sick this week with stuffy nose and congestion. No fever thank goodness! They both love to hear "This Old Man" at bedtime. Nola insisted on praying for baby unicorns several times this week - too funny!

 We were going back to Brenner's class on Friday to do some science experiments - making a volcano and slime. Here Nola is helping to make homemade play-doh for construction of the volcano.

 She was also our helper in the classroom. The volcano is to the right and the colored cups are the slime. The kids loved it but we ran a little late causing the buses to have to wait in his class - opps :) I have a video of the volcano but it is too big to put on the blog :(

 Saturday morning - Brenner wanted to lay on Papa's chest like he did as a baby.

 Nola with her "purse". She told me that she was going to dance class.

 Saturday afternoon, we went to the library and Brenner got a ton of Star Wars books. We have had our fill of Star Wars discussion - luckily I haven't seen one movie so he knows not to ask me. Anyway, here he is reading one while eating bacon with dinner. Matt thought he was in "bacon zen". Also on Saturday afternoon, we went to the Katy Trail with Emi. The kids wanted to hold her leash - fighting over it really. Nola fell, dropped the leash - as it started to retract, Brenner scrambled to get it with no luck and it managed to get back to Emi just as she started peeing.....right on the leash. I busted up laughing - we couldn't have planned that if we had wanted to!

 Brenner's class learned about penguins this week. Brenner's picture says "Penguins can swim."

 Brenner's picture on the left is him in the military fighting bad guys (sigh) and to the left is skateboarding.

 Another good report!

After church we headed to meet up with my family for a Christmas dinner that just hadn't come to fruition until now! Grandpa Hilbrenner always got us together during Christmas so we have kept up the traditions since his passing. We ate at one of his favorite Cajun places. Brenner ordered alligator and loved it! Everyone was there but Colten - we missed him though!

A few days with Grammy

We had a special treat this week with Grammy Vo staying with us while Papa went to the Shot Show in Las Vegas. Brenner, Nola, and Mommy loved spending time with Grammy and really appreciated her company :) Matt spent a few days at the massive gun show and a good time but was glad to get home to the regular chaos that is our life. Brenner had some notable quotes this week. Brenner and Nola were playing "Spy Barbies" when Brenner announced "This is evil Barbie." How do you know, buddy? "She has too much stuff on her eyes." So any girls wanting to impress Brenner, go easy on the eye makeup! We also watched US figure skating - mostly freestyle. Brenner was amazed at the jumps and twirls. There was a couple skating to "Save a horse, Ride a cowboy" (by Big and Rich I think) - ugh. Well he then asked "This is a love song, isn't it?" I about busted up laughing but controlled it. If he only knew (and thank goodness he doesn't!).

 Grammy getting some love from Brenner and Nola before she left of Friday afternoon.

 Nola being silly one morning. But look, Grandma Val, she FINALLY wore the jammies you got her at Christmas (granted all the others were dirty). Once she got them on, she loved them!

 Nola being silly at bath time.

 A great note from Brenner's teacher.

 Brenner class is back into math - working on writing, adding, and subtracting the numbers 10 through 20.

 Brenner can ease through some reading books now and his writing is generally good. If it is too sloppy, I make him redo it. Bad mommy - so cruel :) Brenner is also cutting along lines very well.

 Brenner's drawing of "Water snakes can swim" and a nice note from his teacher.

 The following day Brenner drew "Sharks like to eat fish.". We have also been talking a lot about Martin Luther King Day. Brenner is quite astute and listened intently while we described how there used to be segregated bathrooms, schools, etc. Brenner's response was that God made us all. Quite right, buddy, quite right.

 Matt standing in front of a 4 shotgun set for $350,000. The hand etching took 5 years to complete. No worries - he didn't buy them but did bring home about 10 ball caps. Ugh.....I despise his hat collection.....

 One minute it is fighting like cats and dogs and then it is lovey dovey. These two simultaneously drive me nuts and make my heart fill with love and pride.

 Despite the wind and rain on Saturday we went to a local park. No - it isn't outside of a jail (that is the water treatment plant). It was m-u-d-d-y but they had a good time for a while before it started raining. So we headed back to the car for a snack of trail mix. Brenner was munching when he asked "How do babies come out of tummies?" I paused and thought finally responding "The babies know when it is time to come out and they let the mommy know." Brenner then asked "Is there a lot of blood?" I said "God made mommy's tummies to have babies. There is a bit of blood but the mommy is so happy to hold her baby." That seemed to satisfy him....at least for now!

 Nola got worn out at the park. This is what I turned around to see once she got quiet on the ride home. What a silly girl.

Team work on our Sunday afternoon walk!

Back to school

After a few extra days thanks to snow and below zero temps, Brenner headed back to school. We were very pleased with his report card - all "S" (satisfactory) - way to go Brenner!!!!! He was funny tonight and asked me "Why don't you and Papa have to follow any rules." Oh buddy, yes we do! Nola is doing great these days being a charmer and doing her homework too. Papa has been working on her letter recognition - she named 20 of the 26 letters today all on her own! Pictures are a little slim this week - I was gone for work and Matt only took pictures with his phone :(

 Brenner has read over 300 books which earned him a t-shirt. He was very excited :)

 On Saturday, we headed to a birthday party for 7 year old twins. The theme was a science lab so we fit right in! Here Ms. Diedra is helping Brenner and Nola make elephant toothpaste. They also dissected real owl pellets - Brenner's had three mouse skulls!

 Nola blowing up her balloon using vinegar and baking soda.

 But I think the favorite was the homemade slime!!!!

 Some of Brenner's great schoolwork.

 I loved the detail in this drawing.

This one is for Grandpa Hilbrenner. The instructions said to color the tractor green (John Deere like) which Brenner knew was incorrect because we have red tractors (Farmall). So he refused to color it.

Hello 2014!

We had another fun-filled week of vacation with the kids. Unfortunately on Monday, Matt and I both got very sick - the kind of sick where you can't get up and cannot be around food. The kids were great doctors for us and Grandma Val was a lifesaver coming over to help (and make delicious chicken noodle soup!). No big plans to ring in the new year but Grandma and Brenner had a special day together on January 1. More details on that below. We thought it would be back to reality tomorrow, but school is already cancelled as 6 inches of snow are blowing around and wind chills are close to -30. I was suppose to travel to DC this week, but my flight is cancelled for today...may have better luck tomorrow? If not, more time with Matt and the kids which is a blessing.

 I think I mentioned in the post last week that Nola was in her first wedding. I only have some phone pics but hope to have better ones from the photographer in the future. Nola posed and smiled, and posed and smiled - she made everyone laugh. And to make it even better the other flower girl was her bestie Morgan. They were simply lovely.

 Our wonderful children that took care of us on Monday!

From their day together, Grandma and Brenner went to Union Station in KC. There was a pirate exhibit, science city, and watching "Walking with Dinosaurs" on an IMAX screen. Brenner was so excited to tell us that he had gotten us each special gifts, ate popcorn, and twizzlers :)

 Brenner told Grandma the best part of the day was spending time with her. That's exactly right, buddy! He also liked the big t-rex she bought him :)

 And the pirate ship and skull/crossbone ring.

 While Brenner was with Grandma, we played lots of games with Nola. Here we are playing Sequence for kids - very fun!

 Nest up was the Sneaking Squirrel game.

 Nola also felt the need to pose (with pink headband) in from of her new bookcase that she got from Grandma and PawPaw for Christmas.

Brenner and I put together a 100 piece puzzle of a grasshopper. He did great and was very proud of his accomplishment!