Corn Maze and Matt's birthday

Some gorgeous weather this week for some trips to the corn maze/pumpkin patch. Unfortunately, I was on a work trip and missed part of it. Thanks goodness for smart phones and high resolution pictures! Grammy Vo came down to help with the kiddos while Matt had class. Thanks, Grammy. No cross country this weekend, so we could concentrate on celebrating Matt's birthday!

 Nola's preschool class went to the corn maze on Tuesday. You can tell how much fun Nola was having!

 Nola and her buddy Morgan on the hay bales. This is always a favorite of the kids!

 Love the way her tongue is helping her concentrate!

 Nola and some of her buddies on the hay ride.

 Looks like Nola started hanging out with the wrong crowd!

 Ah - Papa led her astray!

 Her preschool class also got to paint a gourd.

 Nola having fun with Grammy!

 Some pictures of my trip. This is me before jumping the fence....just kidding!

 I have been into DC several times for work but never have much free time. I got up extra early on Friday morning to hit a few monuments before heading to the airport. It was crisp and clear. Yes - my shadow - I did it on purpose. Kind of artistic, right? And a chance for my legs to be long. Ha on you, my German genetics!

 So I was a little sad looking at the Korean War Memorial thinking about my Grandpa Hilbrenner. When I looked up at the trees, a huge shadow was moving like crazy. I turned around and it was an American flag blowing. Anyone that knew my Grandpa would understand how poignant that was. He was there with me :)

 The National Monument - looked really nice in the early morning light.

 Brenner did well on his math. Note the only ones he missed were the ones he didn't do!

 Reading comprehension is going well too.

 More spelling tests and writing. It is funny how Brenner misspells word like "they" but has no problem when it shows up on a test!

 Nola did some coloring this week  :)

 Our children's church group went to the same corn maze on Sunday afternoon. Gorgeous day with 80 degrees (I won't complain but I did sweat!).

 I found a baby to carry! Elena usually wants Matt more than me :(

 The boys were intent on gathering corn......

 ....to help others escape the maze!

 A rare treat. I said no at first but then agreed after Brenner pleaded "I don't want to be left behind" (when the two other boys were going to get a soda).

 No Coke wasn't paying us. But did I mention it was 80 degrees :)

 The kids helped decorate Papa's birthday cake. Carrot cake of course!

 Brenner helped me come up with the menu - KC strip, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, and salad. Papa enjoyed every bite!

Happy birthday, Papa!!!!

Parent teacher conference, Science experiments, and more running

I honestly do now know where this week went! Busy times at our house! Matt and I (with the help of Nola) did science experiments for Brenner's class on Monday and then we had his first quarter parent teacher conference. In between evenings of cross country, we had a reading carnival at school then another XC meet on Saturday.

 Nola waiting until we could go to Brenner's classroom to do the experiments. She is very patients....most of the time :) We did water experiments - made a cloud in a bottle, tried to pop a water balloon, and showed how you can poke holes in a water bottle and not have it leak. The kids had a ball and so did we. Anything with loud noises is usually a hit!

 Brenner after the experiments and parent teacher conference (notice his work on the wall). He is doing great in school - among the top in his class. Matt and I were a bit disappointed that the teacher didn't give anything for us to help him with to encourage him to go beyond, even if he has mastered the low bar (yes, yes I am showing my disdain for parts of our public school system). We will just keep supplementing at home!

 Comments from his teacher. Brenner is reading at a level over 20.

 For the evaluation he had to read these words to the teacher. Easy for our little guy!

 I saw this and was a bit dismayed.....this is what is expected in 1st grade - things he already mastered in kindergarten. Way to go Brenner for staying focused in class even though things are pretty easy thus far!

 We went to Fayette on Saturday for Brener's XC race. It was much warmer than last weekend! Brenner's goal was to beat his previous best time - 10:44.

 And they are off!

 Brenner and his buddy Xander were close the whole race. There were lots of hills, ditches, and a bit of mud.

 Brenner just before the finish line. He did great! Xander was about to pass him and I shouted "Don't let Xander beat you!" which made Matt chastise me. I can't help it - I am competitive even though they are teammates!

 Brenner met his goal - knocking 17 seconds off of his time to finish at 10:27!!!! Way to go, buddy! Such improvement over the season - we couldn't be more proud of his hard work. The folks that run the circuit also made some youtube videos - check them out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn3t5JySYKI&feature=youtu.be

 Sunday was just as gorgeous as Saturday so we spent some time outside. Notice the gogurt hanging out of Nola's mouth. Ugh - but the mess at least keeps a bit contained!

 Nola decided to ride on her trike.

 Silliness with the pampas grass!

 The wooly worms are out in force. Brenner loves to stop and examine them. Sometimes, this distraction can be quite long......

 .....and Papa wants to get home! Yes - that is Matt on Brenner's bike and lugging Nola's trike. Too cute!

 A perfect day to roast some marshmallows!

 Matt set up a checking account for the new business. It took two hours!!!!! Luckily, they had coloring sheets that Nola worked on - she did great being patient!

Me complaining again - but Brenner's school does "Go Math" that teaches kids 6 different ways to add to 20 - one is to count the doubles then add the rest. I get it - not all kids learn the same way but this seems redundant of skills learned in kindergarten. While we teach to the lowest common denominator, we will have fewer kids that excel and the US will continue to fall behind other countries in science, math, and engineering. As I said before, supplementing at home.....The newest thing the school might try is to have "professional development" for parents to show them that we shouldn't force the math we learned in school on our kids. All I know is that in 2nd grade, my classmates and I knew multiplication. Not sure Go Math is going to get us there. Okay - off my soapbox :)

Brenner did this great picture of a farm. Grandpa Hilbrenner would love it!

Never giving up......

We had some lesson this week in never giving up on ourselves. One for Brenner and one for Papa. But first, another Brenner story. On Tuesday, Brenner told me that he had said the "F" word in class on accident. They were working on phonics and the "ph" sound. When he said it, another student told on him. He was quite upset since was an accident. The teacher didn't send him to the safe seat given his good track record. Love that he still told me even when he didn't have to :) Nola and Brenner are in a love-hate mode. One minute they are fine and the next there is screaming to high heaven. On a more cordial encounter while they were playing with her doll house, I overheard Brenner say "Here's your man kissing outfit." Wonder what that looks like?!  

 It was a 47 degree morning on Saturday for the XC meet at Moberly. After the last hilly course at Boonville, we thought this one would be a breeze for the kids. But it had rained all week so their feet were soaked and they were cold!

 Brenner was pumped after the last meet where he came in 6th. He was determined to get to 5th place to earn a medal. His age group (6-8 year olds) for his team was slim. Here is coach Ashley with Brenner, Lyrick, and Xander.

 The boys preparing their strategy to beat the team Blue Thunder that has some strong runners.

 Brenner jumping the muddy ditch near the starting line. It was a 1K loop so the kids had to do two laps.

 Brenner nearing the end of the first lap - he was strong, focused, and in 5th place.

 Brenner with half a lap to go. Pure agony as the cold was hurting his lunch - many of the kids were struggling a bit as this was the first "cold" race. Brenner was still in 5th place and pushing through!

 Brenner on the home stretch when he grabbed his chest because it hurt (knowing my kiddo I knew that this wasn't a medical situation). He was only 20 yards from the finish line when laid down on the track. He was still in 5th place but his "break" let the little guy behind him in the purple get the medal.  This was a real parenting moment - yelling/encouraging for him to get up that he has this and that he can do it. Seeing your kid give up - even for a moment - is hard because you are witnessing that they don't believe in themselves.

 Brenner did believe in himself enough to get up and finish the race. We don't give up!  He was upset that he didn't get a medal but we used it as a learning moment. God never gives up on us, and we shouldn't give up on ourselves.  We also made it clear that he proved that he has the ability...and now he has the experience of racing in the cold and how that makes it harder to breathe. He already said that he is ready for the next meet. We are proud of him for digging deep and finishing!!!!

 Later than night, Brenner showing off his magic skills. The Amazing Brenner!

 Matt doesn't give up either. After many months, his business had its first sale! Way to go, babe, for pursuing your dream!

 Mommy and Nola ready for church. Of course, Nola decided to charge before we actually left!

 Sunday afternoon we went roller skating with our children's church group. This was a first for Nola! I love the way she kept her hand our the entire time.

 Brenner was a quick study. He was cautious and didn't get too crazy!

 Papa has the moves like Jagger :) I also skated but will spare you those pictures as I am not that graceful!

 It was a great time!

Brenner is getting into the post season thrill for the Royals!