Teeth and Long Weekends

Trent now has a top and bottom expander. He goes to the same orthodontist I went to as a little kid!! Trent jokes that his expander is working too good because his teeth are dropping like hot cakes! He lost 3 teeth in just a couple days...2 of them in the same day! He had snaggle tooth in the front, and it was hilarious! Then, a couple days later, he lost 2 more and officially has a huge gap! However, his adult teeth were close behind. His big teeth are already growing in!

We had a Friday and Monday off of school! Such a treat to have a long weekend. We had commitments with games, but decided to skip town on Friday and head to Kemah Boardwalk! Just me and the kids! We jumped in the car while it was pouring rain and went on an adventure. The usual 1 hour drive turned into 2 hours because I stopped at a random Denny's restaurant along the way...the rain was SO bad. I couldn't see. The radar said the rain would stop...so I trusted technology and hoped for the best! 

The rain cleared enough for me to finish the drive. We were the ONLY ones on Kemah Boardwalk. I wasn't sure if they were open. So, we walked into a restaurant for an early lunch. Yes, they were open and the rides would open as soon as weather clearance was approved. The temperature dropped a ton over lunch. The wind really picked up too. We were laughing that we got ourselves in this situation, but decided to make the most of it!

A couple more people showed up, and we had the entire boardwalk to ourselves. A couple rides were closed because of the wind. But, the boardwalk workers followed us around and opened whatever ride we wanted. It was like our own personal, private day in Kemah. It was perfection....wind aside. Hahah!! The kids had a blast!! Such a memorable day!

We stayed for many hours, then bought hot chocolate for the ride home! We warmed up and Gigi met us at home to babysit that night. Scott and I went to ShinyRibs concert with some friends. What an amazing concert. The performance was on point!! We had a great time. Then, Gigi spent the night and tagged along for all the kids games the next day!

My brother, Beau, and I snuck off for a late birthday lunch. His birthday is in September...so we enjoyed a spontaneous lunch alone! What a treat! The weather is gorgeous, so I enjoyed the sunshine by taking the kids lunch to school. We ate outside! I don't take them lunch often, so it's a real treat when I do. I get alone time with each of them, with their lunch times back to back. I sit and listen as they talk their hearts out. So special! 

Fall is moving along! The kids are growing each day and will soon pass me up in size. But, for now, they are my little pumpkins posing in a pumpkin patch. And I will fiercely treasure these days. I'm making the most of these moments. So grateful! 

Fall Miscellaneous

Scott and I got away for a 3 day weekend with some of our favorite people...the Debenports. They live a street over, and our boys have been on the same baseball team in the past. We just really love spending time with them, so we headed to Gruene Hall with them...just the 4 of us. No kids! What an awesome weekend! We spent 2 days floating the rivers and lots of yummy meals and drinks! We laughed, danced and laughed some more!!!! We went to Gruene Hall one night and acted like teenagers. SO much fun! Scott's mom came to stay at our house to watch the kids, which we are so grateful for. They had a great weekend too!

The kids are loving school.  Hunter is having a harder time in 3rd grade than he expected. This is the first year that it has felt like "actual school" to him. More homework, harder material, more serious reading. So, he is adjusting, but enjoying it very much. I have hired Tess, our 5th grade neighbor, to help Hunter. She comes over to help him become more independent in doing his work and creating systems to stay organized. This is working out awesome because Hunter feels "cool," and Tess has her first little job!!

I got a new bike and I LOVE it!!! We ride our bikes to school a few times a week, and the kids love "bike days." It has to be one of my favorite times as a mother...riding our bikes to school. I stay behind them and watch them ride with their backpacks on. Such big kids, but still my babies. I thank God every time I get the opportunity to brand this image in my memory forever.

We have snuck in a few ice cream trips before bed just to enjoy life! We know life goes fast, and these pictures of my dad remind me of that. I came across these pictures and wanted to put them in this book as a reminder that he is still with us. He laugh, his gentle spirit, his relaxed presence...he is forever in our hearts. My kids miss him and talk about Pardner daily. Seeing these pictures with my boys melts my heart. As time ticks by....I continue to miss my dad!

Zoe and Bentley are getting older and more frail too. Zoe is 13 years old and having a hard time sleeping through the night without needing a few potty breaks!! Bentley is 11 and deaf. So, we are enjoying our days with them as age takes over. On a brighter note....our church celebrated the 3rd graders by presenting them with Bibles. Hunter was stoked to get his own Bible. I look forward to digging into it! I have started reading a Bible verse every morning to the kids before school. We recite it and hope to memorize one Bible verse a week. The kids have loved this!

A tropical storm washed though town and flooded many parts of Houston. The kids got a day off school, and we headed to Bahama Bucks for snow cones with cousin Jake! I'm also brewing up an idea for Spring Break. It involves a long road trip and an RV!!! We went to try out the RV, and the kids loved it. Scott approved my idea, so I continue to plan. More to come on that one!!! We are truckin' along this lovely Fall season!

Football, Soccer, Tennis, Golf and Gymnastics!!!!!

Fall time means busy time around here!! All the sports, all the time!! GYMNASTICS: Faith Ann is taking gymnastics with all her friends near by, at Elite Cheer. Starting as a beginner, she is quickly going up the levels. She is so strong! And Hunter is taking a strength and conditioning gymnastics class with his friend, Charlie. It is crazy how much stronger he has gotten!! They do all bar strength and core conditioning. It's on Tuesday's after school, and it is out in Cypress, so its a drive! But, Charlie's mom takes them because her daughter also takes a class! Hunter and Faith Ann will continue gymnastics throughout Fall and will take a break for the Holidays!

And GOLF!!! The boys are taking golf lessons at Lakeside Country Club, and they are both obsessed! They have to wear "golf attire" and look precious. We got them new golf clubs, and they are really loving it. The golf lessons are for like 10 weeks, and I know they will want to sign up again. Hunter won a gift card for being the "best behaved." And Trent won for farthest drive...that sums up their personalities. They have both learned so much, and Scott looks forward to many golf days with his boys!

FOOTBALL!!! A favorite in our house. Trent lives, sleeps, and breathes football!! This is his time to shine! He is on the Oilers with his best friend, Brooks. Flag football. He is on cloud nine, and I love watching him in action. He is so focused and his head is in the game the entire time. Trent has so much football awareness and skill...I look forward to where this path leads. His teacher, Ms. Vargas, came to watch a game too! So much support all around.

My sweet Hunter. He is on the Auburn Tigers. Playing 7 on 7. It is basically tag football. He is playing offense and defense. He loves it...even though his team is struggling. They haven't won one game all season, but I hope they get at least one win because they sure try!! Lots of passes and good runs, and we have almost won a few games. Hunter has dropped more than he would like, but here's what I love most about Hunter....his joy! He loves the game. He is all smiles and beaming with joy.

A favorite moment of the season is when Trent's team "let" a special needs kid on the other team score a touchdown! They all rallied behind him, cheered and supported him all the way to the touchdown. Isn't that what football is all about?! Building character, team work, pride and support?? Well, this moment is all I hope for my boys. This is what we want them to learn from sports. So, all in all, this Fall season is a huge success!

TENNIS!!!! A favorite of mine!!! And Faith Ann is crushing it. She is taking lessons at Westside. Once a week. She is learning the basics, building a foundation in the sport. She is unbelievable. She definitely has a natural talent that I plan to build on with her. She loves it, and I am so excited that we have something we can play together through the years!

SOCCER!! Faith Ann is on the Rainbow Cheetahs. Her sweet teacher came to watch a game, and sister is crushing it!!! She giggles the entire time she is on the field, and that makes my heart beam! She has some fancy footwork and lots of hustle. She is trying to working on "following up her kick." Once she learns that....it will be history from there. She is so sporty and has a blast. It is so fun watching her.

When we aren't practicing a sport...we fill our days with watching them! Scott has taken the kids to a few Texans games, Stratford high school games and hunting out in the fields. These kids play HARD! Which means they crash hard too!! What a blessed season of life. Blessed season of sports and fun!!! Amen to God for granting us this time as a family. Memories that will last forever.