Happy 6th Birthday, Nola!

We celebrated Nola's sixth birthday this week!! How is that even possible?! We had a ball with lots of family and friends. What a blessing! I took off work on Friday to bake her cake but ended up volunteering all day at their schools - I had a ball. Our teachers do so much more than teach - I am truly amazed at the dedication of our public school teachers. Next time you see one - thank them, send a thank you note, buy them lunch - they are truly gifts to our children!

Picture day so we got up early to fix Miss Nola's hair. So pretty this little girl!

She was so excited! We will see how the school picture turns out but she looked smashing when she left the house!

A picture from Brenner's 3rd grade classroom. I got to spend some time with his teacher Mrs. Owen (a huge Chiefs fan and fisher - woman). She must be a kindred spirit with my father-in-law Floyd! Brenner had fun with me there - the class was using batteries to power light bulbs. It was fun!

Brenner is doing great in school.

His progress report was great!

On Friday, Grandma Val also came down for Grandparent's Day - Nola and Grandma made a project to remember the day. Oh - that morning we took a treat into her class to celebrate her birthday. She chose Jelly Bellies which was hilarious - especially when the kids got licorice or buttered popcorn!

Saturday was party day. Nola asked for a geode cake! Before she left Friday night to spend the night with Grandma, I was told "You better have my cake done when I get home tomorrow." Hmmm - bit demanding Miss. She was so excited when she saw it!

Nola had a crew of friends come over for the party. We had lunch (turkey burgers and hot dogs) before presents and cake. The picture is a little blurry (ugh) but it was the only group shot I had.

So grown up - such a sweet sweet girl. I want to keep her this way forever! Nola commented that she only got two toys (the rest were crafts, art supplies, clothes) but that was perfect! Another big thank you to everyone!

Brenner's buddy was also there since his brother is one of Nola's friends. Wouldn't want them to feel left out!

Time for cake - at least for the girls! The boys finally came along!

Blowing out the candles with a little help!

Matt's side of the family (ah - my family - stick around so we can take some group photos!) - Matt, Floyd, Judi, Theresa, Brenner, Janet, Nola, and Chuck. Fun times!

My great-nephew Gannon - what a smile! Love that kid!

Nola working with one of her art kits - she was drawing and telling stories about her drawings - so creative this little one. Brenner also got in on the action - he was a big help!

Matt and I got her a spirograph. Parents and grandparents - this is an excellent present idea - just saying! Not only could Brenner and Nola not stop playing with it to eat breakfast today - but Matt and I also enjoyed it - nostalgia from our childhood! 

Piano Lessons and Homecoming parade

We are all doing well with lots of activities. Brenner started piano lessons last week and seems to be liking it. We also had a homecoming parade, baby shower, and just the daily hustle and bustle! Matt's business is going well - it is amazing how much you can get done when the kids are both at school!

Impromptu concert? Nola is playing her flute while Brenner was on the keyboard!

Brenner and the rest of the Ravens during the homecoming parade. Love to see the green in the sea of blue!

Nola and buddy Morgan waiting for the candy to be thrown.

Saturday the kids and I spent a lot of time in Columbia running errands. Brenner has one pair of tennis shoes, one pair of flip flops, and soccer cleats. Not much variety. Upon inspection this week, his tennis shoes were pretty ratty. So we went shopping for "church" shoes :) We searched and searched - and wow how expensive for kids shoes! I ended up paying $70! I may need to revert to my plan from last year - go the the outlet mall (which has Nike, Under Armour, Addias, etc) and buy several sizes!

After church on Sunday, Brenner, Nola, and I went to a surprise baby shower for my niece Krystee. She was surprised and got a lot of cute stuff for Mackinzee! She should be here in a few short weeks.

Grandma Val, Brenner, and Gannon. I think Grandma and Brenner have the same smile!

Nola and Cousin Eadlin playing around!

Aunt Lynnie and me at the shower.

Once we got home, Nola created some more pictures and Brenner played outside.

Nola's school is also sending home science experiments - yeah!!!!! Here we are doing Egg in Space which teaches about density.

More of Nola's creativity. The bottom picture is her getting stung by bees.

Here she drew Brenner and her playing soccer. Nice work! No work for Brenner but I spoke to his teacher this week. His class has a lot of behavior students. Sigh - he does seem to be doing very well though.

Busy weekend full of fun and a bit of mud

It has rained and rained and rained this past week. The rain threw a few kinks in our plans but we had a great time. The kids have transitioned pretty well into school - Nola talking up a storm but Brenner being pretty tight lipped.

Nola learned how to draw a lion in art class this week. She then taught me step by step - didn't they turn out great! Nola is a fantastic teacher.

We were going to head to the Concordia Fall Festival but with high chance of rain we came up with alternative plans. Brenner's buddy Drystan came along to the movies - Kubo and the Two Strings. They are popcorn, airheads, and sprite. They were spritely after the movie :)

Steak n Shake after the movies - these two were funny (and loud) just like 8 year olds are.

Nola also had a fun time - oreo mint shake for her!

The boys stayed up LATE Friday night. But that didn't stop us from heading to the steam engine show. Check out the mud! Nola wore soccer cleats to help navigate the mud!

As the gals stepped lightly, the boys headed straight towards the mud!

Nola's bestie Morgan was there with her grandpa and sisters. In other words, she ditched us quick!

A little time at the petting zoo.

A gorgeous day!

Ode to Grandpa Hilbrenner who loved the steam engine show and black walnut ice cream!

Waiting in line for the parade.

Brenner and Matt - our annual picture! Maybe next year Brenner will drive by himself!

Sunday marked the start of the fall soccer season. Looks like someone was ready!

Really - he was ready! Brenner came out with great foot work and determination. His 3v3 team only had 3 players show up so it was a long game for the boys!

Brenner stealing the ball.

Another goal!

Some more goo defense! They boys lost their first game 6-4 but came out strong in game two (no pictures) 12-5. The games really boosted their confidence today!

Nola cheering on her brother!

Grandpa and Grandma Hinck also came to cheer Brenner on. We told Grandpa that he was our good luck charm and he has to come back for every game this season!

Brenner got cleated in the knee. This should be really sore tomorrow.

Nola petting KC under our bed - her favorite place to lay at night (and roll and pester - keeping us up at night)!

Labor Day.....and we labored!

What a long weekend! We were grateful for the extra day which allowed for some foot healing for me (soccer ball kick gone wrong!). The boys had a lot of outdoor time which also meant a lot of ticks - but that is part of living in Missouri!

 Nola's class in music. Nola talks about all of her classmates - in depth - so it was nice to put some faces to names. I laughed that her buddy Corbin's mom and I are friends and she gets nothing out of Corbin. Such a difference between girls and boys!

 Matt and Brenner captured this huge praying mantis. When we let it go, it seemed to wave goodbye.

 The boys and KC headed down to Hermitage to do some work. Their normal sleeping quarters was overtaken by mold thanks to all the rain we have gotten. So they slept (or at least laid) in Guzzy for the night. No one got much sleep!

 Matt's buddy Brian who owns some adjacent property is a boy scout troop leader. For one of their projects, they fixed up Bob's memorial bench. Such a nice gesture!

 FIRE!!!!! Do I really need to say any more? Brenner was in heaven. He also got to shoot a .22  rifle - a lot.

 Nola being a tortilla face.

 Grandma Val came to have lunch with us and visit on Saturday. This is Nola promising to wear a shirt that Grandma got her a long time ago but she has never worn. She is soooo picky about her clothes. I did say no more tank tops to school just to get her to wear other items.

 A bum foot makes for great coloring time - which we did a lot of this weekend!

 Matt and Brenner went dove hunting today. Brenner is growing like a weed. I cracked up because he looks like Matt when he adjusts his pants!

 Soccer practice has begun!

 Kids running up the road after school. Fuzzy but I love the smile on Brenner's face.

 Nola loves to draw in class - check out these masterpieces. We asked Nola why Matt is only wearing arm floaties - this made us all laugh!!!

 Love that they are graphing - and watch out for that shark!

 Brenner's morning work.....

....we don't get much else of what he does. Sigh - I miss being the spoon fed parent!