Kickin' It

Dear Logan,

This fall we signed you up for a beginning soccer league.  You were really excited to play!

Sure, we were the only parents who hadn't provided shin guards on the first day.  But we're new to this too. Neither one of us ever played soccer when we were kids!

Don't worry, we had you all decked out by your second game.

The suspense of the game was almost too much for your sister!

(Not really.  She just didn't want her picture taken.)

You had a great time and eventually you even scored a goal!  

Love,

Mama

It's a Pirate Fest, Matey!

In September we went to the Pirate Festival in Wentzville.  You guys were super fired up, as you can see.

But what's more exciting that a fire-breather?  Well, a fire-breather balancing on a rubber ball of course!

Anxious anticipation in the crowd....

 CHEERS!

Fire seemed to be the theme of the day.  Apparently pirates used to love having some fire around.  And honestly, who doesn't appreciate a nice roaring fire aboard the deck of a creaky wooden boat?

There was some funky hoop dancing.

And after the dancing, you guys got invited up to play games with the hoopers.  Fun!

Pirates also apparently loved a solid drum corps.  

Well.  Who doesn't??

We can't seem to pass up an opportunity to paint ourselves these days.  Claire got a cool pink and purple dragon on her arm.

And Logan got an awesome fire-breathing dragon!  

(Again with the fire?  Seriously...)

Claire even met a pirate puppy! 

There are days when I could use a set of these around the house...

And lastly, we stopped for a little fire dancing on the way out.

All this fire and dancing will make you tired.  Or maybe just hypnotized.

You are getting very sleeeepy.........

 Oops, guess the hypnosis wears off quick!

 Have I mentioned lately that I love you, 

my adorable pirate princess and my handsome pirate boy?

Well, I do.

Mama

Claire's First Day of Preschool

Claire,

Believe it or not, you really were excited to start preschool.  You have been talking about school for months and couldn't wait to go!  

No, really...

 I'm serious.

I promise I did not force you into this.  

Despite your steadfast refusal to sit criss-cross applesauce, walk in a straight line or allow the teacher to speak without you talking right along with her, you are one kick-butt preschool student.

And I love you like crazy.

Mama

The State Fair

The weekend after school started we headed back to Slater for the Missouri State Fair.  

Naturally, Jason picked up Pappy's guitar for a strumming.

We found possibly the cutest baby goat ever at the fair!

Claire loved the pony rides.

Claire loved the petting zoo too!

I love this picture!

I think this may be a baby camel, but Claire just looked at this picture and called it an elephant!

Logan always loves this jumpy thing.

Tricks!

Claire loves jumping too!  Bouncy houses are her favorite things.

And who doesn't love the big slide?

Uncle Jason and Claire coming down the Super Slide.

Uncle Jason was a real sport with you guys!

I warned Uncle Jason about this vomit-inducing ride....

Hmmmmm, the nausea sets in....

Oh yeah, it hits.

Having fun yet?

Nothing says "State Fair" like the bling of the pink flashing-light-princess-cowboy hat.

 Claire is loving milking this "cow"!

I always love our trips to the State Fair!!

I always love you!

Mama

The First Day of Second Grade!

Honestly kids, the time really does fly.  It seems like my sweet baby boy was just starting kindergarten yesterday and then BAM!  Second grade.  Here are you and Jacob H. waiting for the school bus.  

And now the rest of our bus riders:  Jacob H., Logan, Mackenzie and Isabelle.  What a cute bunch of kids!

I love you love you love you, big boy.

Mama