I'm gonna mail myself to you

I remember this song from when I was young...

This picture made me think of that song today. 

Not too sure where he thinks he's heading!

Parade and County Fair

This morning - Isaac and I met up with Jill and Malachi and Z for the parade downtown. 

We saw LOTS of horses... and "ethnic" dancers...

There was a group of dancers after each float/entry it seemed like.

Isaac was in heaven.... LOVE those DRUMS!

Cat in the Hat

Whoever said you can't eat candy at 10:30 in the morning?
I am sure if it was said.... they didn't have a 2 year old!

(P.S. - Grandma - Notice that he can now actually wear the whole outfit together!)

After the parade, we walked about 5 blocks down to the Qwest Center.  Inside was a county fair of sorts. 

Lots and lots of animals - mostly cows, sheep and pigs but man were the kids excited.  The moms, however, not so excited about all the fecal matter that was accumulating on the stroller wheels!

Look beyond the balloon - Isaac got to pet a 6 day old piglet!

 He was especially fond of this goat!

Maybe he spoke 2 yr old language.

Then we headed outside to see about a tractor ride.  By now it was close to lunchtime so being the super prepared mom that I am (not) I pulled out the only thing in the diaper bag.... MORE JUNKFOOD - or at least fruit snacks.  Hey - Fruit is in the name right? 

I love this next series of pictures.  These three are destined to cause trouble and be good friends. 

They were all running around chasing each other and screaming. 

Finally it was our turn for the ride.
We climbed up the big stairs and got inside the tractor. 
(Sorry salesman - we are not here to buy it.  I guess that was really the intended purpose of the tractor rides, but hey when you advertise free tractor rides, ya gotta know you are gonna interest parents of little kids, especially little boys!  So although they didn't make a sale, they did make a few kids pretty happy!)

Kinda weirds me out how the guy driving was all about looking at the camera for the picture.

Isaac watching him carefully turn around.

Waving at the end of the ride - just before the abrupt stop which happened to rail Isaac's head into the handle!

The guy felt horrible - but Isaac is tough!

Football Game Number 2

This week, Chris played his 2nd game for Logan Fontinelle JV 1 football team.

They played against Papillion-LaVisa Titans.



Chris is in the middle.
This play was on the 8 yard line....




....and Chris scored a touchdown!



 This could have been a much more interesting game if Chris' best friend Sean had decided to play ball for Papillion.  This would have been the first game ever (since the age of 5) that the two of them played against each other.

It is still a bit sad b/c this year is the first year that the boys are not playing together, on the same team.

I know Chris misses Sean... but I think I miss Sean's mom more!

Jill and I were always able to hang out during practices and games.  Our baby boys are both football season babies....and that is how I met Jill.  Our boys (both big and little) played/coached the team together and thus a friendship was born.  Thankfully, we make a point to get together often (see next post!)

Ironically however, Sean (and his sister Desiree) were running track at the same time as the game.



Sean running his last lap




Desiree running her last lap



Meanwhile, Isaac LOVES football - truly loves football....

But he loves DIRT more! 

Even Better than Dirt.... Dumptrucks and Diggers and Dirt!  

He's even nice enough to share his dirt...

all over you if you want!

Goofy Boy

While cleaning the bedroom last weekend, I needed to find a job for the little guy.  Ya know... cuz at the age of 2 it's still totally cool to help mom clean (not so much at 11 and almost 14 - weird!)  So Isaac's job was to put the laundry into a basket and take it to the stairs to throw down for washing.  We successfully cleaned out his closet and room, rearranged it and did a good cleaning.  Then we moved on to our room (Chad's and mine).  Isaac first got all the hangers to the banister and then came back for the laundry.  He was busy working so I put away the clean laundry.  Didn't even notice that ALL the laundry did NOT make it down the stairs.....

Guess he decided that he needed to wear mismatching socks like all the big kids do!

He managed to put my work sock over his sock and pull it up far enough to not hang off. 

The really funny part about this story....

We cleaned and did laundry after nap (around 3:00).... Dinner (when the picture was taken) was served around 6:30/7:00.  Just thought it was funny that NO ONE noticed the new sock on his foot until 3 1/2 hours later.

Heading to Lincoln

This morning was dreary and quite dismal.  One of those days to stay curled up under the blankets and stay warm inside the house. 

Sadly - I looked at the BJSA website this morning and two very interested boys decided that going out to do the Punt Pass and Kick Competition would be a great idea!

Funny how THEY thought it would be fun!   

Being super excited and overly energetic mom I am (hey - Chad made me breakfast and I was in a good mood I guess) - We headed to the field.  

Both boys did really good in their efforts.   

Giving it a kick

 

 

See that ribbon?  That means we are HEADING TO LINCOLN for the state level PPK competition! 

So proud of the boys for both trying and I guess we will see how Chris does in Lincoln sometime in October.

This Speaks to Me!

(she knows that she spelled that R word wrong... she did it on purpose!)

I have had a bit of a rocky start to my school year, specifically with a few students. This... Speaks...to.... Me... Loud and Clear Lord!

I happened upon this tonight and cried. I get that I might not teach students in the same way that most teachers do. I know that my day looks a lot different than a "typical" classroom. The things that I teach are not always found in textbooks (which is sometimes the biggest challenge).

God knew that I was feeling disheartened, overwhelmed and ineffective. I have a heavy heart about the "teaching" I FEEL I am not able to do...I am hard on myself and I want to do more....

I have a few ideas and am working on putting them into place.

Just needed to vent and share that this... spoke... to me tonight but what I hope is that my children are raised to see the good and "able" in everyone, regardless of ability (or disability).

I love MY kids... the kids who need an advocate, who need someone to believe in them, who see the good in others, who enjoy the simpler things in life, whose smile lights up a room, who needs me to encourage them to do great things (though they might seem small to most).

I feel refreshed and encouraged tonight....
and for that

I AM THANKFUL!

Are you Ready for some FOOTBALL???

WE SURE ARE!!!

Chris is playing for the school this year, which means it is his first year w/o his dad on the sideline (as a coach).  Of course, we are both there supporting him but no one is rooting for him

within the "team." 

Chris has had to fight for his own spot on the team.  He initially just hoped to be on Varsity,

but came to realize that he might enjoy being a quarterback. 

Eventually, teams were decided and Chris was place on JV 1 as the HEAD QUARTERBACK!

(Chad and I were nervous!) 

However, we were really excited to see him excel on his own.  He has done all of this through his own hardwork and desire to be the leader of the team. 

Way to Go Chris! 

We love watching you and enjoy sharing in the memories with you. 

Tonight was the first game of the season.

Logan Fontinelle Warriors VS Lewis and Clark Scouts

Chris is # 12.

Completing the handoff

Making a run for it!

Love the Action Shot!

Scoring a TOUCHDOWN!!!

Picking up a fumble and heading toward the endzone again!

Needless to say, It was a good game. 

They worked well as a team!

Chris made 3 out of 4 pass completions, and got a touchdown. 

There were a few errors along the way but I am sure they will work on that!

Great Job Chris!

We are so proud of you!

Have a Little Help Around Here

At least one kid likes to help clean!

Love the lift of the foot.

Reading a book

Reading "Hurry Hurry"

(ok... maybe memorized the book, but it's still cute!)

Directing the Band

Sorry it's sideways.... but Isaac was directing the band this morning!

Football, Airshow, Anniversary, Septemberfest

 

Last Friday night we went to the Bellevue EAST vs. WEST football game.  It's always an enjoyable time spent with friends and seeing the familiar faces from around town.  This year, both big kids were old enough to branch out on their own. 

Shawn brought Chandler - his friend for the last 5 years who recently moved away from the neighborhood

Chris brought Sean - bff's since they were 4.

The next morning, we got up and went to the Offutt Air Show. 

 
 Isaac and Shawn got to sit inside one of the planes.

Isaac loved all the planes. 

Chris went and did his own thing... so there are no pictures of him!

Isaac and Shawn were able to crawl up onto a helicopter - It was an apache copter. 

Dad took Isaac and Shawn up into one of the very first planes he crew chiefed when he joined the Air Force. 

Daddy took Isaac on the pedal planes. 

Then... Guess who came?

MALACHI AND Z

Can I tell you how hard it is to get a good pic?
I love that they are all smiling tho!

On Friday night, Chad and I celebrated 5 years of marriage by..... duh duu duu duhh.... Going on a date!!! 

We hadn't done it in over 2 years.  It was great to go to dinner and actually converse!  Chad and I had a great hour long dinner and we are so thankful to have friends who are family to take care of our kids while we spent the time together. 

 Last night, we went out to Septemberfest. 

Shawn was insistant on the fact that he could win this rigged game. 

We all got a good laugh at watching him try!

 Weird - Random Airshow pic in the middle of the next set of pictures....

We've been busy as you can see.... but enjoying life and the memories along the way. 

Can't believe how big all the boys are getting.... gotta enjoy them while they last!