Full week of school and Fall soccer

We are getting back into our regular school routine. The mornings are a still a bit hard in getting the kids out of bed!

Baylee lounging one afternoon.

Brenner got to take Aunt Lynnie's old trombone in to be checked out for 5th grade band. He is convinced that this is what he is going to play!

Nola and I got our hair done this week - this is the pre-photo.

Nola showing off her new shoes! They are super cute but LOUD as she walks in them. Sigh. Lesson learned :)

Nola did an amazing job cleaning her room so she got to rearrange it. It seems so big now!!!

Brenner was big helper outside - weedeating for dad. Way to go, buddy!

On Sunday, we started up our fall soccer league. Nola was so excited to get her Ravens uniform. She insisted on getting Brenner's old number. It was hot at our town's new soccer park - well over 100 degrees on the turf.

The same exact form as Brenner!

After Nola's first game, Brenner's team played. The kids practice at the same time so I don't get to see much of his practices. But boy can Brenner move that ball. I was amazed by his footwork - you can tell he has a ball in his feet outside of practice time.

I just thought this was a funny pic. Brenner does a much better job at winning 50-50 now.

Brenner has some really nice goals the first game. The second game (no pics) they kept missing by a hair. He got frustrated but then calmed back down. They tied the first game and lost the second by 2. However, they really played great as a team. Can't wait to see the rest of the season!

Nola's second game. A little rough getting tugged on and the heat. Look at how red her cheeks are!

All the girls on her team petered out. There was a lot of chasing the ball or just standing. And it is ok - first games are tough enough without the heat. Two losses didn't seem to bother her spirit - Nola slept with her soccer ball that night :)

Some great work by Brenner. His teacher requires signatures on things. I know this but refuse to check his bag. He needs to learn responsibility and get those signatures on his own without a parent having to remind him. Brenner also got a kindle for being a Mark Twain Award Reader. He finished his first book in like three days. He is a reader!

Nola's work. Plus she had 4 pages (well 8 really because they were front and back) of homework over the weekend. Whew - tough to be in 4th grade!

Back to school!

The kids started school this week and boy were they ready! We went to open house on Monday night - they were so excited that they asked if they had to wait until Wednesday to actually start. This made me heart sing given the year Brenner had in 4th grade. Thank you Lord! Now - we know there will be ups and downs but we are off to a great start!

Brenner and Mrs. Loesing (5th grade). They had immediate conversations about sports. Mrs. Loesing is known as one of the toughest teachers but really prepares the kids for middle school. Brenner's smile says it all. He does has some tough ones in his class but with a strong teacher I don't think we will have a repeat of last year!

Nola and Mrs. Rau (2nd grade). Nola was also excited to drop off her school supplies and see who was in her class.

The first day of school! Brenner fixed his hair (miracle) but Nola seemed shy (I am not sure why).

Our crew to get on the buss. Everett is our neighbor just starting kindergarten. Nola's job is to help him find his way into the new routine. She must being doing a serious job because her principal (who goes to church with us) asked if he was her little brother :)

Nola recalled Pine Knoll Shores in her work. Glad the drawing was of the beach and not the hospital!

We helped Cousin Gannon celebrate his 4th birthday on Saturday. He LOVED the digger that his grandpa and grandma got him. Look at that face!!!!!

Brenner played with Gannon a while but then decided to hang out with the older guys playing corn hole.

On our way home, we stopped past Dad's shop. Matt has quite the setup for his students!

The bucket. Remember last week how Brenner got to shoot with the Navy seal and his dad. Well, after they left and Matt was picking up, Brenner shot holes in a 5 gallon bucket. On purpose. So - Brenner had to replace the bucket. He was glad no one was home because he didn't want to apologize. But we reminded him that when we make mistakes we need to correct them. He also wrote Mr. Parker a nice not and gave it to him at church. Parenting moment!

One last summer trip

Summer is winding down! I was in Reston, VA this week for work and the kids had one last trip up to KC to visit Grammy and Aunt Theresa. We are not sure where the summer has gone - but it is gone, gone, gone! Back to the school routine!

We helped some friends celebrate their birthday and they had ponies to ride!

For a second year in a row, Brenner was the master pinata destroyer! They had that thing packed with 20 lbs of candy!!!!

Looks like both kids caught something at Grammy's house :) All they could talk about is going fishing - looks like there was success! Thank you, Grammy, for hosting!

A little silliness at the bird show (Kansas City Zoo).

It was hot but they had fun! Thank you. Aunt Theresa, for keeping them for a couple of days!

On Sunday, I helped out in Brenner's class where they made puppy chow for some of our members who live alone. The boys did a great doing the dishes.

Later in the day, Brenner got to shoot guns with a real Navy Seal. Will used to go to our church and his parents still attend. Bill (the father) was nice enough to set this up after we expressed the desire to have more adult male role models for Brenner. The village can't be large enough in raising our kids! A big thanks to Bill and Will! (BTW - Matt said that Brenner did great - very respectful and a good shot!)

Next, Brenner got a driving lesson with dad in the Guzzler.

Look how tall this sunflower is in our garden!!!

Brenner and his 5th grade school supplies.

Nola and her 2nd grade school supplies. NO GLUESTICKS!? What - remember in kindergarten when she had to have 20 - hahaha!