Someone is missing...

... a tooth!

The story? It had been loose for a few weeks probably but still pretty tight in there.  But we were at a friend's birthday party last Saturday when Eli came up to me saying his tooth was bleeding, and when I looked it was hanging on by a thread.  It was ready and time to come out.  Knowing birthday cake (eating) was still happening, I took him to the bathroom to inspect and do some jiggling.  After making a call to the hubster for moral support, and gradually becoming surrounded by little friends, I finally got it twisted outta there.  Did I tell you I HATE the loosing-teeth phase??  Accckkk!!!  But I did it!  Eli was surprisingly absolutely calm, not even the least bit afraid, and he insisted that it didn't hurt at all.  SO PROUD! 

We took these pictures as soon as we got home, and Brother wanted to be in them too. So these are those pictures too!  

Growing up more and more every day!

Soccer player!

In trying to keep reign of our schedules we have so avoided signing the kids up for extra curricular activities. They already do AWANA Wednesday nights, and one night a week I usually have ladies Bible study, but now this year we are giving soccer a go for Eli on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of September.  He's loving it, and it's fun to watch him the learning the basics of the game.  He's usually right in the middle of the action, keeping with the ball!  And Daddy, being a former soccer player himself, sure is a proud parent!

(These pictures are from his first practice)

School time!

School started here in the middle of August.  Eli is in First Grade and he really likes his teacher and the schoolwork! He's doing very well!  Homework started this year and I appreciate that our school really promotes parent involvement. They view school as a partnership, and I like that.

And Hannah has started her second year of preschool, 3 mornings a week.

Praying our children grow in amazing ways this year and that they shine the light of Jesus in all that they do!

Not catching up

It's been so long since I've blogged here, I don't even know how to get back into the swing of it. So I'm just going to start.  Not even going to catch up with the stories untold.  Summer in a gist entailed...

Reading, lots of a reading. Inside, during naptime, in the evenings, on the porch, on the trampoline, at the park, with friends. And the end of summer included an ice cream party we hosted as the kids reached their 100 Books reward.

We went to the pool in town a couple times but mostly we played in the baby pool out in the yard, or the sprinkler, or at a friend's house.  

We explored some local trails and activities, but still didn't do nearly all we wanted because July was insanely hot, being about 100 degrees and fully sunny every single day.

We played at the park, a lot, and picnicked at the park, a lot. 

We saw a couple movies, bowled with church family, walked in the county fair parade, and went to a hot air balloon festival. 

And our vacation this year was Mahoney State Park right up by Omaha with Aunt Carri and Uncle Lucas, where we paddle boated, splashed around at the water park, climbed through fun tunnels, and took a drive through a wildlife safari. 

As the end of summer finally cooled down we camped a few nights right out in the yard, falling asleep to the sound of night bugs and howling coyotes.  

Now we're settling back into routine. Eli's in 1st grade, Hannah's in her 2nd year of preschool (MWF), Eli's starting his first year of soccer (for the month of September), AWANA will run throughout the year, and MOPS will start soon.  It's a busy time, it's a fun time, as we all reconnect with friends and create memories all along the way!! More to come...