Pumpkin Patch 2011

I'm not sure if you can tell, but it was so dusty--we were all covered with a layer of grime before we left.  On the bright side, it makes us all appear a little more tan than we really are ;)

Miss Shay was happy as could be perched on top of Dain's shoulders.  Our major achievement following the trip to pumpkin patch has been teaching her to rub her (slightly round) belly and say "pump-in." 

After MUCH deliberation and MANY suggestions from others, Bailey picked a very small, whitish/green one that she calls her "cucumber pumpkin."  Kale's response was, "You can't even carve it!" But really, that's such a Bailey thing to pick a totally random pumpkin, and it makes me smile every time I pull up to the house.

Random Facts

• Bailey's favorite songs to sing these days are "Moves Like Jagger," "Oh, Can You Count the Puppies That Play in the Grass," and "Mean" by Taylor Swift.  We're trying to diversify our children's music exposure ;)

• Shay also loves singing but it's a bit like playing "name-that-tune." However, if you listen really closely you can generally tell what song she is belting out. 
• I have both girls on video singing the above mentioned songs....but it takes a gazillion years to get those things to upload, so you'll have to keep waiting to see 'em :)

• Kale won his game last weekend, and even though he wasn't feeling 100% he managed to eek out two touchdowns. 
• I also finally managed to get him on video scoring, but you know my patience level with uploading those things........
• Later that night he asked us why some kids get to take breaks and sit on the sidelines for a while, but he never does.  We told him to take it as a complement that they need him on the field.  He said, "Well, it's still not very fair."
• Four out of five of us are on antibiotics for strep throat.  I have a a really fancy-dancy hand drawn chart to help us keep us on track, but I'm in the market for a free personal assistant to take over the job if there are any takers.....

• The other night I went to lay down on my bed and felt a crunch....I breathed a sigh of relief when I reached under my pillow and found it was only  a pair of pom-poms.
• A while back Kale admitted that when we pray at church, he likes to ask God to send him a baby brother.  I told him that the man upstairs knows we're out of room for car seats, so he'd better start praying for something else.

• Earlier this month my brother brought some of his Baker players to visit my classroom.  After a little "lesson," he told my students they could ask the players questions.  The first kid asked, "What is 1000 divided by 65?"  The second asked, "Can you tell which is my lazy eye and which is my good eye?"  That pretty much sums up my third graders.
• Bailey decided on her Halloween costume and wasted no time calling Grandma Ballard to place her order (the girl has quickly figured out that when you have a big request it's best to go straight to a grandma): Anyhow, she requested butterfly princess costume with sparkly shoes that make you fly when you push a button.  I'm pretty sure Grandma's got the dress and wings, but I think she's still trying to work out the details on the shoes :)

Flag Football

There is an episode of the Cosby Show where Rudy (the youngest daughter) goes out for the football team (against her mother's wishes) and ends up dominating the first games, thus turning her mom into a crazed, my-kid's-the best, psycho person. 

Friends, I fear that I may be that woman.......:)

Like any other mom, I want my children to have fun....to try new things (especially new hard things)....and above all to be happy even if they are the most uncoordinated kid on the team.  But let's be honest.  When your kid runs the length of the field to score a touchdown on his first possession in his first football game.....it's kind of exciting.  And you can't help but think, "That's MY baby!!!"

The game (according to the scoreboard) did not turn out so well for the Cardinals.....there were some near fist-fights with the other team on the line, several fumbled balls and moments of total confusion, and you didn't hear this from me, but #28 may have been crying during the last three plays because some "mean guys on the other team grabbed him and threw him on his face" (poor kid). That being said, they managed to score 12 points against a more experienced team, Kale stiff-armed a kid on a long run that nearly resulted in a third touchdown, had many, many stops on defense (flag pulls, I guess) and you could see that all the work the team had put in during practices had paid off because those sweet boys hustled all over that field 'til the final whistle blew.

And even though the score didn't end in our favor, I think it's safe to say that I'm going to be one of those uber-proud sports moms....(you're not really surprised, are you?).

Go Cardinals!!

Goodbye Summer

The school year starting has been a little bitter sweet.  Even when I was a kid I was one of those people who loved heading back to school.  That being said, I'm already missing the slow mornings in pj's, relaxing at the pool with Kale, and laid back days filled with board games, tea parties, and cartoons.  Maybe I should start a countdown to winter break?! :)

One last look at our summer.....

Kale fishing with Grandpa and Dad.  Miss Bailey has a pink rod with matching sunglasses she's all ready to try out.

Cheering on the Royals

Shay celebrating the fact that her hair can (kinda) fit into a little ponytail!

Hanging out on (and below) the swing set.

We finally made it to Baltimore to visit Nate and Briana!

Our first time to see the sites in D.C.

At dinner to celebrate Nate's birthday

And just like that, the school year is in full swing.....

First Grade

Sporting his flag football gear

Happiness Is.......

 Stealing grandpa's spot on the couch and waiting for his "attack".......

 Making a "bed" that fills the whole living room......

Flying Superman style on daddy's arms.......

Sharing snacks with your cousin........

Cuddling with Mom.......

Enjoying summer with your family :)

Vacation

We not only survived...we thoroughly enjoyed our vacation to the Lake of the Ozarks!

Our favorite part of the trip (ha ha)

As we pulled into town and were driving through a tourist area filled with arcades, ice cream and novelty shops, ect. and Kale said, "I had no idea things in Missouri could actually be fun!"  What can I say?  We've trained him well when it comes to disliking all things Mizzou ;)

Playing skeeball

At the arcade

We did have several "we're in Missouri moments"...a science center that more closely resembled a shed with posters and science related things scattered about.....and dinner at a restaurant where there were ash trays on every table (in our defense, the place was relatively empty and the food was good)....and a waitress who made a comment about her son being about the same age as Shay, but less chubby....:)

Bailey at the "Science Center"

Digging for fossils

At one point we ventured on a cave tour.....somehow forgetting that our daughters were nearing nap time and not big fans of dark, wet, enclosed places.  Needless to say Dain and I burned a few calories carrying them through the half mile tour (1/4 mile in.....then back out) that included shimmying through some rather tight spaces and low "ceilings" that dripped with water!

Kale at Bridal Cave

Dain and Bailey in the cave

We took the kids to the lake, but not surprisingly their favorite thing by far was playing at the pool at the condo. They were happy as clams splashing around, "dunking" daddy, playing catch, and doing cannon-bobs (yes bobs not balls...it's Bailey slang).

Swimming at the lake

Bailey knocking Daddy out with her beach ball

Kale and Dain

We stayed up past bedtime watching movies, Kale learned how to play checkers, and we even went for a late night swim because....well, it's vacation and you can do things like that!

More pool time

Dain and I may need at least a year before we venture out for any extended amount of time with our children again (just kidding...) but in the mean time we're looking forward to enjoying our last few days of summer before school starts again!

Sun, Fun, and Family (Part 2)

We actually have vegetables growing in our garden!  Yay!

Our little sleepy head....I think she's a phenomenal sleeper just like her mama :)

Some mornings it's just hard to wake up....

Bailey loves holding her new cousin.

Royals game!

Mr. Brooks sporting his mama's shades :)

Shay snuggling with Grandma B

Ready to catch some foul balls!

Baseball game + awesome suite stocked with food = happiness

Pete with his adorable son, Gabe!