B-R-E-N-L-E-Y

She can spell her name!!!

First Football Game - #47

Well, we got the first one under our belt.  Boys lost, in fact, they didn't even get on the board. It was a little rough. You could tell that the boys never got a chance to scrimmage anyone - just made those first time mistakes.

But as for Beau, he got play Center, Right Guard, Defensive End, and Linebacker. Not sure he knew how to play all those positions, but he did a great job, nonetheless. He likes to tackle, and tackle he did.

Looking mean.....

If you can't find #47, then look for the guy with the tall black socks.

Playing Center

And the cheerleader....

Last of the summer fun....ready for sport filled weekends

Today was Labor Day. Oh how I love 3 day weekends, and oh how I needed one with nothing to do but what I wanted to do.  And the weather.....the weather......oh, the weather.  Saturday was a warm one, but Sunday and today were awesome.  80 degrees, gentle breeze....amazing.  We had our windows open in the house both days. It was the kind of weather that instantly puts you into a good mood.

So we took advantage of the beautiful weather and went to the zoo today. But before I get into those cute pictures, allow me to back up to last Tuesday.

The WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment, was in Wichita and, of course, my boys went.  Good show, and both were super excited.  Beau is quite the wrestling aficionado.  So funny.

Cute boy at WWE Smackdown Superstars

Beau looking tough with his belt

John Cena, Beau's favorite

Good seats!  

Okay, and then today, we got out this morning to enjoy this weather and this day together. Got some great pic's of the kids. What a great way to end the summer.  So let it begin, Fall, and busy, busy weekends....

These two lion tamers....

Lovin' on the Tiger

So cute

This is the look she gives 90% of the time.

The "good one" smiling for his picture

Checking out the snakes

Ah...baby goat

Beau's turn

Not to be out done

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.