School routine and no personal space

We are diving back into the school year and everyone is still adjusting! The kids had their annual physical exams and Brenner is 4'10" and Nola is 4'4" - our little weeds. Brenner had to get three vaccinations but took them like a champ. Interesting notes from our doctor concerning mental health (mostly the focus for middle schoolers like Brenner) - limit TV/games to 2 hours a day (no problem there except for Heartland binges on weekend evenings! Brenner is reading this and says booo!); resist getting kids cell phones until 8th grade because of bullying/social media/depression (again not a problem at our house); 8-9 hours of sleep (so so on that one he gets to reading a book....). Overall - their checkups were great!

Nola fell asleep waiting for her turn at piano at 6 pm- 3rd grade is hard work!

Brenner found this garden spider near the turf during soccer practice. Photo credit: Brenner

Nola is very into selfies these days. Photo credit: Nola

Baylee continues to be a weird dog. She completely lays on Matt while he does his back stretches!

On Saturday, Nola and I headed to the food pantry. Our job was to bag the canned goods - her enthusiasm dropped quickly! That cart was heavy! She did enjoy an ice cream sandwich for her efforts.

She is getting so grown up!

Brenner spent all day Saturday reading the book Gone. I will admit that it was nice to have a quiet house.

We have been having a lot of this lately - wrestling, fighting, and the such. The doctor assured me that this and his pre-teen attitude (am I the only parent that is completely stupid and doesn't know anything?!) are completely normal (although exhausting for the parents)!

Back to school and Matt Maher/For King and Country Concert

Kids were back at school this week! Not too many pictures with soccer practice starting for Nola, piano, school, and concert at the state fair. I will try to do better next week but no promises!

Nola (3rd grade) and Brenner (6th grade) were anxiously awaiting the bus on Wednesday. They were ready!

Brenner spent a tremendous amount of time picking out his outfit (black is his favorite color) and "fixing" his hair. I heard my blow dryer going and just didn't ask any questions. I am glad it is out of his face! I also chuckled that we are forever advertising for our soccer club! The first few days were pretty uneventful. Brenner is navigated changing classes and having a lock on his locker. He is a little bummed that he isn't with many of his friends in his classes. His elective this semester is computer tech (think Typing) - and he is learning the keys on the keyboard! Nola's class is still settling in - her favorite class is library (because she knows the librarian I think!).

Thursday I drove the kids to Sedalia. We met in Matt's classroom to have pizza before heading to the Matt Maher/For King and Country concert at the state fair. This picture is accurate. Nola was not excited to go. I was so excited!!!!

Matt Maher performing - so many of his song I love. All the People Said Amen was the first Christian song I really like when I started listening a few years ago. But I must say my new favorite is Firelight. (Uncle Chuck - he reminds us of you!!!!)  He opened for For King and Country. We went to their concert 2 years ago and they put on this great interactive show. Well it was too much for Nola (it was admittedly loud despite being outside) so I took Nola home early but the boys stayed so they could report out to me. They described how amazing it was - jealous but glad they enjoyed it! The band is known for incorporating many non-traditional instruments and tons of drums. Google them - you won't regret it!

As Nola and I were walking to the car, she told me she was sorry for ruining the night. I told her she didn't at all! She then said "I like concerts on the radio so you can turn down the volume." Hahaha! She said her favorite part was meeting Bud in the Clydesdale tent! On our drive we were talking about my new hair color (I went a bit darker this time). Nola said it was pretty and was glad it wasn't bright red. I said yeah I don't want to be Ronald McDonald. Who is that, mom? Which of course made me laugh. Once I explained Nola said "it is probably good that McDonalds got rid of him because clowns are just creepy." Agreed, Nola. Very much agreed!

Mud Run and Gearing up for school

I was in DC last week for work, Matt was at Hermitage sweating the Missouri summer, and the kids were lounging with the Greskos! A great week was had by all. Thank you, thank you, thank you to Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck for loving on Brenner and Nola. Over the weekend, the kids did the annual mud run (although this may be our last given their lack of enthusiasm the morning of the course!. The kids also geared up for school - how can we have a middle schooler already?! Don't blink or you may miss something! 

The kids waiting for their waves at the mud run. Brenner started a new 'do while visiting Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck. I am just glad his hair is out of his face!

Nola wanted to be first in line!

She is still a bit adverse to getting muddy.

Making her own waves.

Her legs just seem to be growing and growing and growing!

Such a serious face.

Love the way her hands are up to not get splashed. She didn't like the mud on her hands and tried to wipe them on me!

Finish line!

All smiles!

Brenner started chatting with some boys while waiting for his wave. The ended up doing the course together. I knew my place - I didn't bug him for picture or talk to him - but was just the creepy woman taking pictures of their group.

Over the wall!

Entering the infamous three little pigs!

My favorite picture of the day!

I was waiting at the end of this loop forever...I thought did I miss them? Is someone hurt? Nope - they were just walking. Not even walking but moseying through the course!

On the climbing wall.

Through the tunnels

Having some laughs.

And some more laughs.

A fun day!

We had to celebrate by getting some Kona Ice!

We missed registration because we were out of town. So Brenner had to go in without his friends to get his schedule (math first period - boo he said!), chart his trek around the building for each period, and just take some deep breaths. You will be AWESOME, bud!

Nola's back to school night with Mrs. Stock. She is new the district but is super bubbly. They should mesh well!

She found her locker!

Matt had meetings on Tuesday so the kids spent a few hours with me at work before heading over to a friends house (thanks Kevin!). Brenner had spent Sunday night at a friends house with little sleep. It caught up to him Tuesday because who could sleep like that comfortably?!

Nola taking a selfie of us while Brenner slept! Sweet girl!

Fun with friends in Newton

We headed to Newton Kansas to visit our friends Jerry and Itati. It was rainy and tolerable for August in Kansas! We had a great time!

Out traditional coach picture!

Friday night was game night. The kids were trying to stump Jerry at Otrio (it didn't work).

Matt went and got donuts on Saturday morning....yes Brenner has a hollow leg!

Better run off those donuts at the basketball court!

Itati showed us how to make homemade flour tortilla. Nola is making the dough.

Learning how to create the balls.

Rolling out the dough. And Itati is getting the pan ready to fry them.

Brenner helped too!

Tasty fruits of her labor. The breakfast for lunch tacos were so good!

Splash park in the afternoon. Jerry got in on the action!

Nola splashing Jerry so that he would play.

Jerry showing her who is boss lol!

2019 vs 2015. They have grown just a bit!

Brenner was wiped out!

Saturday night we went to the Harvey County rodeo!

We had a great time! The rodeo ended with the bull riding. Now Brenner wants to ride bucking broncos and Nola wants to barrel race. No need to quash their dreams but it was fun to let them think about!