School Days

You would think my 6 child-free hours a day would give me time to keep up with the blog but that hasn't worked out so well!  Might just be poor time management?!?  I've found plenty to keep me busy so far!

 So the second day of school Taylor got ready and announced she was ready for her picture!  I guess she thought it should be a daily tradition!

 This was day 3 - I told her we'd have to space out our photos from here on out!

 Melinda sent me the best birthday gift.  She filled it with things to occupy my time while the kids are at school.  While I have not found time for the movie or puzzles, I was able to empty that kit kat bag in no time!

 The first spirit day of the year - blue and green day and hat day!

 Soccer meet-the-coach day - Taylor is a maroon starfish this season!

 Her second music class she got the outstanding musician award - can you tell how pumped she was?!?  And quickly pointed out that we had to take a picture on the porch!

 First soccer practice.

 Animal spirit day at school.

 Chase took the opportunity to show off his shark shirt.

 First game of the fall ball season - looking tough!

 Football season is back - my favorite referee hasn't checked into the retirement home just yet!!!

 If I had to see it, I figured you all might as well too!  This tooth was ridiculously loose and he wouldn't pull it out!!!

 Finally, we just had to make it happen.

 It worked.

 Taylor (in the orange shorts) taking off for the first of the healthy kids running series races for this season.  Her group does 1/4 mile this year.

 She pulled out a third place finish....

 and then collapsed!  She was ok.

 Chase (4th head from the left) taking off with his group.  He does a 1/2 mile this time.  We didn't think he would like it too much but he surprised us.

 He hung in the back of the pack for most of the time we could see him.  They go out of sight for a minute and when they came back he had moved his way up to 4th place! Best of all, he didn't fall to the ground in a tired heap when he finished!

 Last Wednesday the kids got the day off from school because of the UCI bike race coming through town.  We made a quick trip to Dave and Busters to celebrate.

 So close to a big win, I guess!

 Taylor was actually the one to hit the jackpot this time!

 Crazy kids.

 We decided we should at least check out the big bike race and all the festivities to go with it.  Nothing beats eating a burnt hot dog on a curb.  We got the full experience!

 Push-ups to win a prize at the YMCA booth.  They made you work for it!

 Finally it was time for the bikes a bike to pass by!  I don't think we quite understood what to expect.  It was the time trials that passed by our part of town so it was literally one bike every few minutes.

 After two bikes, this was the look I got from the kids...

 Yep, but at least they got a day off from school for it?!?! 

 Another spirit day - sports day.

 Never know when you'll see a Hungarian bicyclist in front of you at a red light these days!

 This weekend was low-key after some rain cancelled the baseball and soccer games on Saturday.  We decided to make the most of Sunday and made a quick trip to the outlet mall after church.  Taylor was certainly in her happy place!

 Ended the night with another session of the running series.  They were all smiles this time.

Taylor only had to sit for a minute afterwards this time - no full collapse!

The First Day of School

 Taylor FINALLY got her chance to go to school!  She was definitely the most excited about the whole thing.  Chase was pretty pumped as well.  

 Taylor was ready to take pictures about 7am.  She will not let me forget the pics!

 Chase knows the drill too.

 Couldn't be more excited if she tried.

 It was hard for me to be sad when she was this happy.

 Chase was taking it all in and acting cool as a second grader should.

 Barely a wave and they were off!

 They both declared it the "best day ever" at pick up time.

Taylor did this rather accurate drawing of herself at school!  It's a keeper.

 Taylor was just as excited this morning and got dressed and said she was ready for her picture...I think she's planning to do this every morning.

 Talked Chase into joining her.

The Last of Summer

 I think we did a good job of making the most of the summer but I sure could stand if it lasted a little longer!

 Fun times with Kenley and Isaiah.

 Someone decided that since she was going to kindergarten and growing up and stuff, it was time to start eating salads for lunch.  Not.my.kid.

 This is more my style!

 It was finally time to take supplies to school and meet teachers!

 Taylor got Chase's old kindergarten teacher and could not be happier about the whole thing!

 We took the kids on their first adventure to Dave & Buster's.

 Larger than life claw machine.

 We bought play cards, played games, cashed in tickets and were back to the car in 32 minutes.  We don't mess around.

 Luckily that left time for lunch at Chuy's!

 Dave tried his hand at teaching Chase to ride his bike.

 There were a few rough moments but he made more progress than I had so far!

 Sunday we hit the road for a trip to DC to see the Nationals game.

 Chase was excited to take his most favorite lady with him.

 Taylor and Natalie have a good time together too!

 Met up with his buddy Kaleb at the game.  Poor Kaleb doesn't own any Nationals gear ;)

 Checking out batting practice.

 We had to sit in right field so Chase could be close to Bryce Harper.

 Before the game, Dave was yelling at the guys warming up down by the bullpen.  He got the attention of Wilson Ramos and had him wave to Chase.

 Chase was mortified.  His dad can embarrass him already!

 The girls checking out the bullpen action.

 Waited in line for 2 innings for this ice cream.  He said it was worth it.

 After the game, the rush for the metro was too much for me so we decided to trot around town awhile.

 We made a pit stop in the Air and Space museum.

 Quick stop in front of the capitol (and the sun!) for a photo!

 Back to the metro and headed home.

 My kids were obviously not amused with my photo taking.

 When we got back to the car, Dave grabbed a note off the windshield and started circling around the car.  He opens the door and tells me that someone left a note saying they hit our car but they left their number.  He says he doesn't see any damage but wants me to look.  As I start to get out I ask him if the number might possibly be 804...614.... to which he finally grins and realizes we know who it is!  Kaleb was pretty proud of his stunt!  I just wish I had taken a picture of Dave walking around the car to send to him!  It was pretty funny.

We finished off the summer by hitting up the pool on the last day (with everyone else in town!).  The kids could have cared less about the water once they found the labor day sale at the snack bar!  25 cent popcorn - can't beat it!