Back to School!

The kids headed back to school on Monday, which was a bit chaotic as the bus company hadn't told parents pickup/drop off times. Luckily, we just did what we were used to and that worked! Because the bus is public transportation, masks are required even though their school are not requiring them. Nola has been less problematic that Brenner with wearing the masks. Let's just all do our part so we can get beyond anyone needing to wear a mask! Matt was also back in the classroom - so it was nice and quiet for me at home. 7:00-3:45 workday is fantastic and allows for a normal workout time! I jumped back into yoga and even did 1990s Billy Banks Taebo (I had the VHS tapes back in the day so this was like listening to an old mix tape you find in the bottom of the closet), and a Gospel Zumba class. Thank you, YouTube, you are amazing! Here is to a safe, productive, happy school year! 

First day of 5th grade (Nola) and 8th grade (Brenner). 

Brenner carb loading after tough football workouts everyday + the heat. 

Thursday was picture day for Nola! She spent a lot of time picking out her outfit and then forgot to put the jacket on for the picture lol! 

Nola thinking "Mom, you are so weird". True, very true! 

Brenner came home to tell us that the football coaches were impressed with his kicking abilities. Thank you, soccer. It was great to see him enjoy the praise - he didn't get much feedback last year. We even ran into one of his coaches today at the grocery store, and he came over to ask "how is the kicking extraordinaire?" I hope the pressure doesn't get to Brenner - but he has been spending a lot of time practicing in the yard. 

Nola doesn't have any of her close friends in class this year but seems to be enjoying her teacher. Some real life lessons being learned about tolerance, kindness, empathy with a transgender student, another with an eating disorder, etc. not all of which are tolerated in a small conservative community. We have had some good talks about things - may Nola's heart stay open and caring! 

Her dress for the wedding arrived - she was very excited! 

Grammy Vo sent Nola's birthday present a bit early - a cat tower for Wren. Girl engineers rock! 

Nola and Wren with the completed tower! 

Such cuties! 

Aunt Theresa always wonders where I am in the blog - her I am getting ready for our adult evening out with friends! The kids stayed home along and did fine (both were breathing when we got home!). Bonus is Matt and I had a great time with friends! 

On Sunday, Nola asked to bring out my clarinet as 5th grade band will be starting soon. I suppose she needed my sweater and shoes to play it lol! Brenner is trying to talk her into percussion although she is leaning towards trumpet. I suggested the clarinet since we have on one hand! 

Fruit and reading - he did a lot of that this week! Brenner and Nola did well at school this week. Brenner's favorite class is Algebra, and least favorites are ELA and Science (stated he didn't like the teachers). Nola LOVES her art class and declared that teacher the best of all time. By the end of the week - the kids were done. Both had meltdowns and were ready for the weekend. We expected this - change of routine is hard - but they are both bright and hard workers! 
 

Last week of summer!

The summer came and went fast this year! We had a fun filled days/weeks but that is coming to an end with school starting next week. The kids spent their last week of summer very differently.....

It was hot again and Brenner toughed it out working all week. This is how he came home for lunch one day. He loves weed-eating lol!  We also go the news that Brenner was accepted into the LSE Honor Society - he worked hard on his essay. We are proud of him! 

Nola had a lot of time on her hands - which meant lots of visits to my office....some dressed up! 

Nola also played in her room - creating an ergonomic desk for her doll! 

Her room got cleaned (of her own volition) leading to her finding Sphero. So fun play time with that! Go coding! 

Back to School night with Mrs. Holtsclaw.....wonder if Nola will be taller than the teacher by the end of the year?!

Brenner earned a friend coming over to spend the night.....who knows what they are doing?!

Four-wheeler time! But don't let them fool you - they spent way too much time on computer screens. No one listened to mom so I checked out of parenting for the sleepover. 

Wren cozying up to Matt. Matt spend a lot of time working on the deck - prepping for a ceiling. 

Classmates invited Nola to attend the Little Mermaid at the Lyceum Theatre - they had a ball! I told Nola she looks like a giant - she didn't appreciate that! 
 

Vaccinated and Wren

We jumped right back into life at home post-vacation! Work, yard work, parties, practice - you know the drill! The kids are ready to head back to school to see their friends, and Matt is ready for the school routine as well.

Brenner sleeping off his second COVID vaccine shot. Not much of a reaction - bit tired for about 12 hours. 

Nola went to Hawaii for her friend's birthday party lol! They had a ball. 

Nola learning some of Brenner's friends were coming over - doesn't she seem excited?!

Matt told Nola to clean up the playroom. When he hadn't seen her in a while, this is what he found. She will have a tough time next week - getting on the bus at 7 am when she has been sleeping until 9 or 10! 

Smiles while dad was at the cabin and mom was at the helm! 

Nola pretending to be "Nolan". Hahaha. 

Nola begged for a new kitten post-vacation so we picked up this cutie from a hometown neighbor. 

Wren was the runt of the litter but a very photogenic!

They have bonded lol! 

Thank you youtube for "easy" hair-dos. We are testing some for Cousin Colten's upcoming wedding. 

Nola and a few other 5th graders are trying out with a new basketball group. They were a little hesitant but held their own! I think it will be good - for open gym if nothing else!

Nola is a bit "bored" while I am at work - so I get surprises like this. She looks a bit like me - but I promise that I don't wear athletic shorts with blazers or heals ;)

And this....I like the ergonomic features of the standing desk! 

 

Goodbye Idaho (Part 4)

We departed Challis EARLY to drive the 5 hours to Yellowstone before it got too crazy busy! Just some quick stops in the park but we will definitely come back and hike in the "off season"! It was the anniversary of the Great America Outdoors Act which means no entrance fee (yeah - although we still had Nola's Kids Outdoor pass). Gotta save money somewhere, right?! Plus - a reminder to get out and explore your parks! We took two days to get back to Missouri which was great - no rushing/time table to keep. It was a fantastic adventure for us - logging 3500 miles in 9 day. Are we crazy or what?!

Elk as we headed down from West Yellowstone. 

Our first hot springs in the park - a bit different from Goldbug! I loved the mudpots - fascinating to watch (and hear)! 

More steam laced with sulphur.  

The Grand Prismatic was my favorite stop at Yellowstone. The bacteria are different colors - from white/yellow to blue/green - do you see the difference in the steam? 

How about closer up?! Just so cool! 

The kids were less impressed than me! 

The edge of the Grand Prismatic. 

Old Faithful gushing. We did it. Check that box. (I didn't think it was nearly as impressive as other things that we saw - but we were have some "moments" with the kids which kinda tarnished the experience. As Matt put it - I don't want any souvenirs from here to remind me of this day lol!)

Grandma Val and me at Old Faithful (post eruption). 

Family pic. 

Me giving myself a time out while other shopped at Yellowstone! 

We then headed to the Tetons. Matt, Brenner, and I wanted to hike so we did a 4 mile loop to Taggert Lake. 

Grand Teton in the background along with the wildfire haze. 

Taggert Lake - gorgeous hike, fun company! Nola and Grandma hung out in the car and seemed to enjoy themselves there. Everyone was happy!

The hike out! 

A field of thistles - just for my mom and dad lol! Dad would have grumbled and grumbled! 

We also spotted (well another family was stopped on the trail and told us) a brown bear. After leaving the park we headed to Jackson Hole for dinner. Good grief it was busy and slow and we had general discontent from our group. But we eventually filled out tummies at Liberty Burger and drove to the Stagecoach Inn in Dubois. It all worked out! 

The next day was the trek across Eyoming. We stopped at Lou Tabberts Ranch Outfitters in Casper. Matt found jeans, and Nola found boots. Success! (But they don't have anything on Kleinschmidts in good ole' Missouri!). We stopped at Hell's Half Acre along the highway - Native Americans would run buffalo into the canyon. 

We also made a stop at the Oregon Trail Ruts State Park in Guernsey along the North Platte River. Fascinating little park. 

Can't image taking a wagon across county! We stayed in North Platte, NE that night and then drove home the following day. What a trek we had - loving (almost!) every minute. I really hope the kids someday appreciate all the beauty and history that have seen/experienced!