Another teenager in the hhhhhoooouuuuusssseeee!

We had a great week preparing for Nola's 13th birthday party. We had a bit of excitement mid-week when Nola's gimp got gimp-ier and the trainer told us to head to the Orthopedic Insititute at Mizzou.

Nola getting checked out by trainer Casey before Dr. Gray talked with us. Dr. Gray examined her xrays and said no breaks/fissures - yay! He also said her growth plates were closed so she is not getting much taller (this about broke her heart!). 

Diagnosis - pulled hamstring so crutches to stay off of it for a week and then PT after she can walk without pain. This also meant getting a key to elevator at school and no backpack lugging! 

Brenner made his bed....hmmmmm. It was Friday and his football sheet says "Make your bed" for Friday morning. Regardless - it gave me a chuckle!

Playing defending state champs Blair Oaks on Friday night. Brenner was joking they have 6 all-state players but he would get to kick once for sure. 

Well he got to kick 5 times and the Pirates special teams recovered 3 or the 5. Way to go boys!

Post game smiles. Yes - they lost 54-28 but didn't get shut out! And this kid did what he was supposed to do!

Sibs.

Blair Oaks coach talking about the onside kicks. It is true that the Pirates didn't capitalize on those recoveries but as he noted - his best players were out there and couldn't get it done. Blah on "bounced funny". He had his team even doing onside kicks - something no other team really did last year. Everyone wants a Brenner lol!

Saturday was party day! Nola wanted a western theme. Her hamstring was feeling better so she begged no crutches for her party. I relented and she seemed to do fine.

Nola and her cake

When did she get so grown up?!

She had too much fun with the 0.5 pictures!

Friends and family! Gifts from the Windy Nest were popular - many cute earrings, necklaces, and rings plus purses and cold hard cash lol! Now Nola wants her ears double pierced. She asked us for an Applewatch which we vetoed after her electronics snafu of recent so she settle on some Ugg slippers - to be arriving this week. 

1-3! She asked for chocolate and vanilla cake. All was gone by the end of the day. Matt grilled burgers and hot dogs - nobody went hungry!

Brenner with Grammy Vo and Aunt Janet!

Nola with Aunt Janet and Grammy Vo.

Nola and Erica, her horse trainer extraordinaire!

Cousin Mackinzee and Gannon had a ball - and of course Grandma Val was there! Aunt Lynnie and Uncle Chris along with friends Danielle and Kevin also helped us to celebrate.

Brenner teaching Gannon some break tackle moves.

The girls sans one Sunday morning. They were up until at least 2 am...you can tell it on Nola's face!

Sunday we headed to the mall to shop. Nola spent her Barnes and Noble gift card from Aunt Theresa. She also tried on clothes at several stores but decided they were too expensive and would pass. That's my girl lol!

Monday was her actual birthday so Nola asked for Scooter's smoothie and a ride into school. Happy to oblige as we had Brenner's JV football game that evening. 

Happy birthday Nola - we love you big!

Elk Hunting Birthday trip and solo parenting

I have always known that single parents are superheros. My sister did it for several years when her kiddos were babies/toddlers. That belief was reaffirmed this week when I was home alone with the kids while Matt went to the Spanish Peaks in Colorado to go elk hunting with friends to celebrate his 50th birthday (a few weeks early!). Let's just say after 3-4 trips to town per day toting kids that don't appreciate your time, blame you for missing the bus because they didn't get out of bed, roll their eyes like you are the biggest idiot on the planet, and lack kindness 23 of 24 hours per day, I was so glad when Matt rolled into the driveway Saturday morning!!!!! How dare I ask for help doing the dishes ("I don't want to do them, mom". Well I don't want to make cakes for the football team dinner nor breakfast burritos for the XC team but oddly people want to eat). I am thankful to the other moms (including my awesome mom) out there that assured me that I did not fail as a parent by the resulting turds that show up daily in my house but it is truly them. So if you are reading this and struggling - it is THEM not YOU, momma! 

I would generally get calls about 9 am as Matt was hiking up from camp to his hunting areas. Thanks T-Mobile - not signal in camp! Matt saw some beautiful scenery but there group was plagued with rain almost daily. Early in the trip he saw two elk about 200 yards away - too far for his bow. 

Another area later in the week. He saw 8 elk on another day but alas they were too far away as well. Matt loved his time but was ready to get home. He figured he hiked over 50 miles - I am a bit jealous!

The leaves started falling at our house early in the week. The maples should be turning colors soon.

Monday night JV game against Hallsville in the drizzle and 60s. Brenner played the whole game on defense and did well. The Pirates won easily 50-6.

A nice touch back. 

I was wondering why there was a patch of dead grass near the back patio. I thought maybe something from the grill had been too hot. Nope. It is the 15 year old creating his own toilet outside (which he lied about even though I caught him doing it.). 

Waiting for Nola at XC practice and thought - wow I am glad that I live in a town that the kids can leave their backpacks unsupervised, and nothing happens to them! Bad news on Nola though - she pulled her hip in advanced PE on Monday doing a split squat. She was out of practice all week. The trainer will reevaluate on Tuesday before their home meet. She couldn't compete in Saturday's meet in Fulton but was part of the Couch Crips (injured runners).

My new Oboz came....I would say it was time!

XC team went to Snow Biz on Friday after practice. Go, Pirates!

After delivering food for the Thursday night football meal at the middle school football game, Nola and I eventually decided we needed to eat. Sonic. Ugh. But whatever - we had to wait 30 minutes for our food. Those poor folks working where so shorthanded - we felt bad for them! 

Nola being silly.

Friday night lights against Southern Boone. They too have taken to doing onside kicks which burned us several times. Brenner did well kicking. Another parent (Shannon Griffy) grabbed this pic!

The boys couldn't make things work and fell behind early. JV 1st defense went in at the end of the 4th which meant Brenner got some extra playtime. He did well and got a tackle (but I didn't capture that on video). 

We rested most of Saturday. Matt and I worked outside after church on Sunday. The kids didn't bother helping with anything. Brenner watched the Chiefs game and Nola drew in her room.

Baylee liked being outside with us! She helped me take down a bunch of my potted plants but wasn't a fan of the power washer!

Slowly but surely, I am picking away at the screws on the front porch. Matt wants to reuse the cedar boards down at the cabin. Nola wouldn't help and it is hard on Matt's back - so I am doing a few rows at a time!

2 x 2 (Cross Country and Football)

I loved that Monday was a holiday because the rest of the week was jam packed! Brenner had two football games, Nola had two XC meets, and Matt left for his elk hunting trip. Oh and then there is that thing called a day job that I have to do beyond parenting lol! 

Monday JV game at Marshall. 

Brenner trying to recover his own onside kick.....he almost got it - twice. 

Brenner played outside linebacker on defense. The boys were having a pretty easy time of it first half. 

Lightning was detected in the vicinity and the boys were sent to locker room. The clouds were ominous! Game was then called - early trip home with the W. 

Nola's first XC meet (2500 meter) was at the Missouri Military Academy. Boys and girls ran together (38 runners total 14 girls), 

The start! 

I think Coach Baker was making the girls smile.....Nola was doing well.

I was waiting, waiting, waiting on her at another stretch.....then I saw her running with a teammate and encouraging the other runner. She has such a HUGE heart - this made my competitive side tamp down a bit.....awesome job making your personal best - well personal, Nola! This was the last 250 meters. (Note you will see the boy in the first picture again below)

Nola then decided to finish strong (I didn't make it to the finish!) catching and passing her male teammate.

5th place for Nola with a time of 15:12.59 (2500 meters). All her teammates placed in the top 10. Great job girls! 

No pictures of Friday night varsity football game which was a rematch of the triple OT win over Hallsville. The boys came out strong and played a great game but lost 52-50. Brenner had some great long and onside kicks. One onside kick was recovered. Ironically, Hallsville seemed to take the same tactic after we ran back one of their kickoffs for a touchdown. 

Ok - so these tank tops are the "thing" right now for boys. So weird lol! 

Saturday morning was XC meet at Father Tolton. It was a HUGE meet with hundreds of runners. The middle school girls had 82 entries. The course was professional too - someone said it is used for NCAA meets. 

Spectators had one viewing spot during the course. Nola and some teammates were together at this point. 

Towards the finish line - Nola made a burst and passed two girls but didn't catch up to her teammate Abbie. Nola finished 56th with a time of 16:34.63 (3000 meter). She finished 5/6 on her team and I am not too sure how that sat with her.....we will see what happens at the next race. I think it is the mental space she has to contend with at this point - she has the stamina. One teammate (Maggie) placed 5th!!!!! 

Next it was off to Concordia Street Fair. Brenner spent the morning at the steam engine show - not pictures from there this year! Brenner's friend had a concussion from soccer so couldn't come to ride the rides. Brenner played awesome cousin and hung out with Gannon.

Mackenzie hung out with Nola and Paisley.

The guitar ride was the favorite of the girls. 

Gannon loved Zero Gravity (Brenner and him are walking down the steps). Brenner like the hang gliders but then ate a double cheeseburger. He ended up relaxing in the car for the last hour!

Brenner did enjoy checking out the squarebodies. 

Goodbye fair - it was real. 

The girls bought scrapbooking stuff and made a neat album that they are going to share. Too cute. Once at home, Brenner went to the tractor pull at the steam engine show for an hour then came back. I was wiped so fell asleep early....all kids were sleeping when I got up so hopefully no mayhem abounded! 

Note - did not check grades all week. But Brenner had his first Algebra II test....which causes a bit of angry retorts throughout the week. I believe kids don't know how to study! Anyway, I don't know how he did on it....walking a fine line especially with Matt gone!