The park

Ella Grace's homework one night was to go on a nature walk - pick up acorns, leaves, etc. Umm...have you looked around here? Trees are palms or dogwood....no pinestraw, interesting variety of leaves, pretty lacking. So, we finished up most of our homework and I took them to a local park, by a lake, with camping, trails, etc. We walked around and found what we needed, snapped a few pictures along the way, and then, of course, played on the park before we left.

Now that's what I call doing homework!

More soccer

This was from the kids' second soccer game. Thankfully, they play at the same field every Saturday. Game times vary a little, but noon is the latest.

Daddy watching them warm-up before the game.

 

 Saying the prayer before playing.

 

 Ella Grace hustling!! She is really becoming known for her speed.

 No other red jerseys in sight!

 Major getting in on the action and taking his turn.

Way to go, Major!

Soccer!

Never thought my kids would play soccer. Never. Baseball, football, basketball, dance, cheerleading, but no soccer. But, they wanted to and we signed them up through our local Y. Their first practice was September 7. And they took a liking to it pretty quickly.

Their first game was on September 8 (most of our practices have either been cancelled, re-scheduled or cut short due to all the rain we have had here.) 

My tough soccer players - 

I told them to look mean!

I ~love~ this picture!

Ella Grace playing goalie. Look at that form!

Um, little excitement here from Major after he scored a goal!

They always go in with the plan to pass the ball to each other and Ella Grace score a goal.

Ella Grace holds hands with the coach's son. Hilarious! No, really, it was only this one time.

Very proud of these kids. They stick with it pretty much the whole game. It gets really hard when the sun is beating down on you and you've been in the majority of the game. They each play no less than half, usually 3/4 to the whole game. Ella Grace, especially, has gotten several compliments and I can tell when the opponent's parents are talking about my stars! I love it!

Kinder Camp

Major had Kinder Camp on August 6 and 7 at what we can now call "his" school. We rode our bikes to school so he could get used to it again. He did really good, and had such a fun time. Each day they had two different teachers and visited all of the seven kindergarten classes through the course of the two days.

 

On the second day they made little pizzas for snack. This really helped pump him up for kindergarten!

After kindercamp on Tuesday we headed to the pool for a little while. Good days!

August 10th was Open House. Nana/Mom went with me to drop off the school supplies and go into each classroom. 

We went with Major first to his teacher Ms. G's class. First, he had his picture made in front of the coconut tree (Chicka Chicka Boom Boom).

Ms. G had a surprise in his cubby (and he had gotten a cookie from the cafeteria staff!)

 

 Then he warmed up to have his picture made with his teacher. I think this is going to be a great fit for him. His teacher is so sweet!

 

Next, we went to Ella Grace's class. She was being a little bashful/silly and didn't really want pictures made.

 This is her desk! No more tables!

Her classroom has tons of reading spaces and books. So fun!

 Here she is with her teacher, Mrs. H, and her senior intern, Miss P.

Ella Grace should have a great year, too. It's such an important year for developing her reading skills and beginning to take tests. She'll be great!

The princess and the pea

Jeremy & I have been sleeping on a hand-me-down mattress all of our married lives...the origination of said mattress....hmmm, don't think I can answer that one without further research.

Aching backs, sore necks, squeaky springs when you get up in the middle of the night to go tinkle - you name it. It was beginning to be a rough nights sleep for one or both of us almost.every.night.

So, we talked about getting a new one. Even went looking at some while Jeremy was off diving with Dad during our 'Bama trip.

After we made it home, we immediately went out to, um, look. Our mattress was delivered the next night! Whoo-hoo! Ella Grace was just beside herself and did not want to go to bed until the new mattress arrived. The delivery guys called and they were going to be at the late-end of the timeframe. No problem, we appreciated the call (it was like 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm). Finally got the kids in bed and Major was fast asleep when they arrived. But, oh, Ella Grace. I heard a soft "Mom?" She was ready to get up and look. We made her wait until it was set-up and the men were out the door.

THEN, we let her come in for a quick looksey and test it out! Girlfriend was giddy!

Now, I'm sleeping like a princess...or maybe even a queen!

everybody RUMBLE!

Ella Grace participated in a little cheerleading camp at a local high school. It was a four-day camp, and she just had a BALL! She knew several of the little girls there, so I think that made it even better.

On Thursday evening (June 7), they had a performance for parents. Girl wouldn't show me anything all week - I had to wait for the showcase!

Here she is waiting for her group's turn:

Major was really excited! (yeah, right!)

A little team-building cheer to get started.

Ella Grace was the front-spot here, as they began their cheer.

~And if you can't seem to make her little face out, check for the pink socks.

Then, they had a little dance:

She did such a great job! I was very proud of her. She was ready for another camp!


Then, I spotted grandmaw in front of us - trying to take pictures/film on two iPhones. Hilarious!