My Heather girlfriends in Topeka

I have two very dear friends named Heather, and I got to see both of them today in Topeka!

Bren and I headed up to Topeka bright and early this morning so we could witness my former roommate's children get baptized.  Heather now lives in Seattle with her husband, but after recently having her second child, and her Mom falling ill, she has been back in Topeka visiting her family for the past month. So before she left, she had both her son who is 5 and her new daughter who is 7 weeks old baptized in their family church.  It was an intimate ceremony in a beautiful catholic church and I was honored to be able to witness it.

Then we headed to a lake house shelter to celebrate the baptism and her Mom's 60th birthday. It was great to catch up with her and her family. They kind of looked after me those first few years of fully living and being on my own after college, and I'll forever be grateful for my friendship with Heather and her family.

Here we are...me, Heather, her son Tyler and Brenley. Baby Ella was sleeping.

Then Bren and I headed to meet my other wonderful friend Heather for ice cream.  I met Heather while working at Payless also.  We have maintained our friendship since me moving to Wichita, and again, I am ever so grateful. She is such a wonderful friend to me.  Heather's two daughters came also. They are just beautiful and I enjoy seeing how much they grow and mature each time I see them.

So while it was a short visit with a lot of car time,  it is always so great to spend time with such special friends and was a terrific way to spend the day.  Besides,  I've got the best car traveler there is.  I can't imagine road trips without my precious cargo.

First day of School!

Well it came.....and now 12 hours later.....I can say it went....without much of a hitch, or even a tear (from me).  Beau was ready.  And I suppose I was ready to say goodbye to this summer too. Not that it was a bad summer, it was just one hot summer that was starting to get a little long.

So we had clothes and backpacks all ready to go for an easy morning.  And easy it was.....with a bus that doesn't pick up until 8:06AM, we were in no rush to get out the door.

We had lots of supplies to drop off at Brenley's new room, so we did that and loved on her for awhile.  Beau meanwhile waited in the gym and they played games to pass the time.

This is the board outside Brenley's new room.

So after dropping off Brenley, we went outside to wait.  And we waited. And we waited. And about 10 minutes later, the bus finally drove up.  Little late today. Ah well. First day.

 I think this is the last year we wait and watch him get on the bus.....he was way too cool for us this year and it was like "no sweat" for him to get on and find his seat.  So we waved goodbye, and off went the bus.

Almost his turn to get on the bus!  

And there goes......off to 3rd GRADE!

I was anxious to pick him up tonight to hear about his big day.....and it was a typical first day of school.  Nothing too terribly exciting to report except he couldn't eat his peanut butter crackers for snack because some kid in the room has peanut allergies. I guess if that was the biggest "event" of the day, then we were okay. He played BINGO with smarties.  That was the other big highlight.

Sis had a good day also.  Her note said her first day was really good, even with a "friend" accidentally poking her in the eye.  They said sorry and hugged and all was forgiven.  3 year old drama, you know.  And no poop accidents today, no poop at all for that matter, so it could get to be an interesting week!  Tonight we had to fill out a paper all about Brenley. Every question I asked (which consisted of, "what is your favorite....."), she put her finger to her mouth, furrowed her brow, and said....."Hmmmmmm...." as she thought about each one of them for probably a minute each.  She ended up with great answers. Oh my goodness.  I love this chick.

Anyway, tonight after I picked up the two stars I fed my STARVING kids some McD's to celebrate our first day, and we headed home to play. Daddy is traveling this week, so we'll make sure we update him on the highlights of the day. You know, not being able to eat your crackers can be pretty traumatic!  You know I tease.  I'll take these kind of days every day.  I want to put a brick on his head and keep him this little, lovable, and innocent forever.

Have a great pre-pre K year, Miss Brenley May Grant. And to my handsome big boy with precious little sausage fingers.....Beau Charles Grant...I hope your 3rd grade year is an awesome one!

End of Summer

Well, it's been a fun - albeit fast - day.  We didn't make it to our typical birthday place for my birthday or Beau's, so we had brunch at IHOP this morning.  Yum - that's a special treat kind of place for us.

Then we hit the grocery store and quickly got home to change clothes to hit the neighborhood swimming pool. Two hours later we left for Sonic Happy Hour.  Home for a little bit longer, then out again for an early supper and then to the ball field. It was Westurban's Baseball Award Night.

All the kids got an individual trophy and our team ended up in second place in their age division.  We tied last year for 1st place so while 2nd place was good, it is never as good as 1st!

We picked up our trophies (Coach Brian was handed the 2nd place trophy this year, so Beau is excited it gets to reside in his room), and then we hit Baskin Robbins for ice cream. An ice cream toast to the new school year.

And there you have it......the last day of summer.  Tomorrow, it is back to schedules, homework, practices, packing lunch boxes.  While I do like schedules and consistency in my day, there is something a little sad about the end of summer. Perhaps it is the fact that my child is now in the 3rd grade.  Where is all the time going?

Brenley starts pre-preK tomorrow also.  She moves up to be with Ms. Heather, one of Beau's favorite teachers, and one that Brenley has already warmed up too.  So I'm hoping she also has a poop free kind of day.  hee hee  Oh, the poop stories I could tell.....

Ah well, good-bye summer. Hello busy.

Luke's 3rd Birthday

Little Lukie is now 3!  Quick, but enjoyable evening for us as we celebrated Luke's 3rd birthday at Kyle and Kate's house Saturday evening.  The quick part was because we had to leave early so Beau and Brian could get to baseball practice. And how good of an aunt am I?  So good that I didn't even take a picture of the birthday boy! Good grief. So had to steal a picture from my SIL's blog.

But here are some cute pictures of the evening - of my kids and our other cute nephews!  Under the shade, it was not so bad.

Beau and his girlfriend. We capture this picture every year.

Brandon and his cute football pacifier!

Tyler and his sweet laid back style

Will 

Will not wanting to look at the camera

Where's Will?

Here he is!  Eating Brenley's chips!

Brenley was too busy to notice Will eating her chips.  She had phone calls to return.

Beau Charlie Grant is EIGHT YEARS OLD!

My big, beautiful, lovey little boy is eight years old.  Eight!!! And the biggest change for me here?  The booster seat is no more.  No more!  It's sad!  Yes, he gets to ride up front with me now. And yes, my backseat for the first time in three and a half years is a little more spacious now, but still.......he looks like a teenager sitting there next to me.  Where did all this time go?

In any event, I wanted him to have a special birthday weekend.  It's hard having summer birthday's, and all I wanted was for him to be happy and do what he wanted.

So.....Mama took off work on Friday so I could get ready. Typically I take off work so we can spend the day together, but it was his last "official" summer fun day at Northridge Academy, so I wanted him to enjoy it with his friends, and truth be told, that is what he wanted to do anyway.  I took pizza in for lunch for he and his classmates, and they had sugar cookies for afternoon snack - less I mention a trip to the movies that afternoon to see Zookeeper. Lucky boy. That's a fun afternoon!

Friday evening our neighbor and Beau's friend Trevor came over to spend the night. We gave him his "big" present about 10 minutes before Trevor came over. It provided the entertainment for the night....his own Wii!  He is so excited. And truthfully I am too because ever since I played Just Dance at my Mom's house months ago.....I've been wanting to play it again!  Maybe this Mama will have to buy herself a belated birthday present....hee hee.

He just found it!

Checking it out

So happy!!

Anyway, back to Beau.  He only wanted McDonalds for supper. So we did that. Had Root Beer floats for dessert and then they stayed up playing until a little after 11:00.  We got up early the next morning to send Trevor on his way to football practice, but not before we had a pancake breakfast all dolled up with whipped cream and candles!  It was a great way to kick off his official day.

Then he opened his presents and played with most of them all morning.  Lunch was at 5 Guys (his favorite). Movies at 12:40 - Cars2!  It was sis's first big girl movie!  She did so great - thanks to a big jug of popcorn and M&M's!

Then we came home to chill for a bit.  We finally got to the cake and candles part.  Sister was a BIG help not only in putting the candles in the cake, but helping him blow them out. She also helped him open a lot of presents. And he was so patient with her and so understanding. "Oh honey" he kept saying, "Wait a minute, and give your Beau Beau a chance to read the card."  Tell me he doesn't have a ton of love in his heart.....

 Then the boys headed out again to watch some of their favorite local teams playing in the NBC World Series.  Not sure who was happier.  Even Grandpa met them at the ballpark. And one of Beau's baseball teammates also came.  Great evening of baseball for the boy.

Sunday we were up at at 'em again.  Headed to McPherson to church and to celebrate Brian's parents 40th anniversary. It was an awesome get together. And it also allowed us to see family for Beau's birthday. So between the anniversary party and Beau's party the day before, we were on sugar overload.....but we powered through (of course!) and opened presents and celebrated with an ice cream sundae party before we headed home.

And then to top it all off....we had to get home in time for Beau and Dad to get to baseball practice this evening. Whew!  Now that is a weekend.

I keep asking him if he had a good birthday and he says that he did.  I sure hope so.  I just love this little man so much. Happy Birthday, Beau Charlie. I love you with all my heart.

P.S. We got to love on the twin boys too.  Why do I keep forgetting to snap pictures of them???  They are so stinkin' cute, I get caught up in staring at them or holding them. Ah well. Here is Brandon enjoying his party favors.

And here is an attempt to get the grandkids to all look at the camera at the same time. Comical. And sadly, this is the best one that our camera captured!  Hee hee

This one makes me laugh. Well, the birthday boy makes me laugh with this one...good times....