Off to school!

A huge week at our house with Brenner going into 1st grade and Nola starting preschool. They both had great weeks. Matt also started classes and we had cross country practice. Whew - busy!

 It was a foggy morning on Monday when Brenner got ready for school. What do you think of his outfit? He loves this shirt and shorts - but this is the first time he put them on together :) He also wanted a messenger type bag for school - hence the cross strap look of his backpack. Too funny! This morning as we were eating breakfast, Brenner asked "Mommy, when can you retire so I can see you more?" Tough question from the little guy. I pointed out that we all have our duties and that we have to make the most of the time that we do have together!

 Nola on her first day of preschool Tuesday morning. Pretty in pink :) I asked why she wanted to wear Brenner's old shoes and she said "Because they are the fastest!".

 Love these kiddos :)

 Watch out world, here come the Parkers!

 The best looking students around!

 Mommy and Nola walking into school. Nola looks likes she is on a mission!

 Nola rushed right into preschool - not scared one little bit! Here she is waiting for her friend Morgan.

 Morgan was a bit more apprehensive than Nola. But the reports at the end of the day was that they both did great! Even helping a little boy who was a bit sad by asking him if he wanted to play and checking on him throughout the day! Way to go, girls!

 Morgan came to our house after school. Matt did a fabulous job entertaining them!

 Our watermelon eater!

 Some of Brenner's school work. They have been working on writing. We are in the process of learning all of his classmate's names. We learn more and more each day. His teacher Mrs. Rapp has a hamster Gloria which is a real hoot for the kids!

 Some busy work but perhaps to judge where all of the students are. Brenner did great doing this on his own. They have also been doing some math that Brenner described as "easy-peesy" on Wednesday. On Thursday I asked him if the math was easy-peesy again. Brenner gave me a look and said "It wasn't complicated, mom." Glad to hear it!

 Is spelling words for this week. We practice every day and the test is on Friday!

 Nola the schoolbus driver :)

 Nola had this Barbie party going on in her room one evening.

Brenner making his own video game.

Bye bye summer!

Wow - this week was so amazingly busy. As we prepare for school to start, there were a few other things that inched into our week!

 We signed Brenner up for the cross country team at the local YMCA. Some of Brenner's friends area also joining - the first practice was quite funny. We are hoping this helps Brenner burn some energy and encourage personal discipline. And frankly, Matt and I like the idea of a more non-traditional sport!

I have been pondering repainting our hallways. I picked out some intense colors a few years ago that made me think of Tuscany. Now I want a spa like retreat with cool calm colors. So we lightened it up considerably. For those of you who don't know, Matt hates to paint. I mean REALLY hates to paint but he was a good sport. He patched and I cut in and rolled. Matt also rolled the high spots - love you babe!

 The original owners had slopped on the paint and there were areas that had to be sanded. We made a dust cloud! Matt commented that they had a dark blue and who would have that?! I laughed and said someday someone will sand and ask - ugh - gold - who wold have that :)

 Totally changed the look - we love it. Still have to hang the pictures and touch up some trim - but not bad for a few days work! Nola also managed to step in the paint tray, fell out of it, slopped paint all over the floor.....we didn't take a picture but wish we would have!

 Thursday night was orientation at school. Brenner was beaming when his 1st grade teacher commented on how tall he was. This is his first year to have a locker - he was excited!

 On Friday, we had a date night with friends. So a neighbor girl babysat - she was awesome. Here the kids are eating before she arrived.

 On Saturday, Grandma Val made a surprise visit. We had a nice time watching a movie and playing Quirkle (and finished painting). Cousin Krystee and Austin also came over - they were killing time before having their baby (she was a couple days past due - more on that below)!

 Austin and Matt got to talking about shooting their bows which prompted Brenner to get his out.

 Like father like son.

My sweet Nola - she looks so grown up in this picture.

 On Saturday, I also took the ALS bucket challenge thanks to my friend Rhonda. I challenged a few people including Brenner!

 Brenner was excited to do it and challenged his former teachers and some friends. Check out facebook for some videos!

 On Sunday, we got word that Krystee went into labor so we knew we would make that trip after our other activities for the day were completed. Brenner decided to donate all of his piggy bank to church. I heard him ask "Nola, do you want to help? Empty your too. We can help God save the world!" Love that boy!

 Sunday afternoon we had orientation at Nola's preschool. She had been there so much with Brenner that she felt right at home! Like her outfit? She is such a hoot in her style!

 Nest we drove to meet Gannon Austin Hedgpeth - what a cutie! Way to go, Krystee and Austin!

 Matt had some time to reminisce!

Brenner was cute talking to him saying "You are such a little cutie." God is good!

Brother and Sister time and the State Fair

Brenner and Nola have been creating crazy games together lately. Makes me wonder what it will be like next week (yikes) when school starts and they amigos aren't around each other. On Saturday, we headed to state fair which was a lot of fun! Corn dogs, funnel cakes, ice cream, pig races, old time pictures, and bull riding. It was a full day! Trying to squeeze every little last bit of summer in before it disappears!

Brenner and Nola playing a favorite these days - players include Merida, various Star Wars characters, the Bat Cave, and My Little Ponies :)

I need her flexibility in my yoga class!!!!

A little bit of Twister on Friday night!

Even I got into it. Brenner took forever between spins because he was too busy eating a pear!

 Nola and Brenner getting ready for the fair on Saturday morning. Brenner insisted on wearing his cowboy boots. We couldn't wait to meet up with Grammy Vo!

The Department of Conservation has an awesome fish display. Here we are checking out the paddlefish.

Right away the kids complained about the smell of the fair. We told them this is what a farm smells - but come on - it's not like we never go into the country!!!! Brenner couldn't stand the smell of the chicken house and let us know it.....I still think Nola's feet smell worse on a daily basis :) (That would the Parker Stink foot!)

Brenner wanted a "Jumbo corn dog" not just a "corn dog". Mission accomplished.

There was also a petting zoo. Here they are feeding an alpaca, but also saw a zebra, kangaroo, and tortoise.

 The pig races. Our view stunk (figuratively) but we still had a good time watching the pigs race for the oreos!

Pose funnel cake bliss with Grammy!

Grammy wanted to take an old time photo. The kids were super excited.....mostly at the prospect of getting to hold a gun. Brenner dressed up as a Union soldier - yes they changed the hat prior to the picture. I love his grin....priceless!

Nola being pretty in pink. You might see the bruise on her left cheek. She face planted at the swimming pool on Wednesday - poor girl! But as usual, Nola was a trooper!

Grr...couldn't get this picture to rotate - but it turned out soooo good! What a fun time. And, we only got video, but Brenner rode the mechanical bull before we left. The operator did well not going too fast for him - B rode for a long time!

The kids fingerpainting. Nola is telling me not to look while I take the picture.

Nola's creation!

I am pretty partial by Brenner's picture :)