MISSISSIPPI BOUND

Mom and Dad drove through Yosemite, Las Vegas, and Waco (to visit Magnolia Market, because they're big fans) on their way to Mississippi. It's a LONG trip, so I'm glad they took some time to sight-see along the way!

BATTERY FAIL

This is how we feel about the van not starting on the morning of testing...

 Jetta battery replaced last month, Odyssey battery replaced today.
They don't last forever, but I wish they did!

DATE NIGHT = HAPPY KIDS

Clothes shopping for Jay (because I made him - he's starting his 3rd Acting Branch Chief position on Monday and he needs some real slacks and dressier shirts), followed by dinner and cocktails at ROCA. The kids were happy to have Miss Elizabeth over to babysit (she later told us that James said "we LOVE it when you come over because we always do all the fun things!") She brought Rainbow Loom supplies and taught the kids to make bracelets, let them eat pizza while watching Corpse Bride, read them EACH 3 books at bedtime, then got talked into reading an entire chapter to each of them (from James' borrowed Minecraft series, and I'm pretty sure Miss Elizabeth does not play Minecraft, so I can only assume that was a sacrifice on her part). I'm still not sure how she fit all that in during the few hours we were gone...

I found her asleep with her light on when we got home (James always turns his off after he finishes a chapter, but Cora usually falls asleep with a book in her hands).

(Her PJs glowed brightly once I turned the lamp off!)

CARA BETH'S KITTY PARTY

 Cora was invited to Cara Beth's kitty-themed birthday party at GymSouth this afternoon and James was allowed to come too (there were quite a few siblings there). Cara Beth is one of Cora's Daisy Scout friends (we shared a tent at camp this summer) and was in her dance class last year (this year she's on Cora's soccer team, but is sitting out dance). 

They've installed a rope swing, which was a big hit with all the kids old/strong enough to climb it.

 I never saw James climb to the high platform or bar (he's far more cautious than his wild card sister...), but Cora had me holding my breath through most of the party. At least she was careful to always wait until the pit was clear below her (unlike a few of the boys, one of whom landed hard on the back of his friends neck - not my favorite party moment, as I scooped the injured child out of the pit when he turned to me with a silent scream and his nose began to pour blood - thankfully, he "always gets bloody noses" and was more scared than hurt)

 Cara Beth acted as the Town Crier and called all her friends over for singing, cake, and ice cream (from the high platform). Then again later for presents. I love her confidence - there's a reason Cora likes her so much (she's smart, funny, independent, and a good mix of girly-girl and tomboy).

Cora, Julia, and the birthday girl

Most of these girls have known each other since preschool, but Cora knows them (other than Cara Beth) from dance only. Clockwise from the birthday girl: Anzley, Elle, Kauri, Cora, and Julia.

SOCCER "SCORES"

 By all accounts, last weekend's U8 Girls game was a disaster and we spent the majority of the rest of the day stressed out over it. On the flip side, this weekend was perfect. The weather was cooler, the humidity was down, the U8 Boys had fun on the fields, and the U8 Girls played so well (and with such a great ref and opposing team coach) that Jay was dancing on the sidelines and eventually asking them to work on skills other than scoring goals (so they wouldn't completely dominate the field). James and Cora both played well (and scored some goals, which they call "scores", and it thrills them!) and had a good time, and it was so nice for me to be a spectator and watch my family on and across the field (James chose to sit under the tent rather than with me during Cora's game - Kindles are easier to play in the shade and we weren't taking any chances with the girls overheating this weekend, even though fall was in the air) with smiles on their faces the entire time. 

After lunch, we split up (we always have 2 cars at the fields because I come straight from my long run) to start tackling errands and cleaning (Grambot and PawPaw left California today for the cross-country trek to the Deep South). Not sure what it is about the car wash, but both kids go nuts over it. Luckily, they also help out when it comes time to vacuum up all their detritus in the backseat...

OCTOBER!

BOOK MONSTER

 While Cora has been reading herself to sleep for years now, James never has. He's never sneaked books or lights into his bed. He never gets out of bed once he's tucked in for the night to read elsewhere. And honestly, he's usually fallen asleep or is close to it before we even get up after our bedtime song, snuggles, and talking. We always figured that our "good sleeper" just preferred to go right to sleep (especially since he has scolded Cora repeatedly when they share a room to "stop talking - I'm tired and I don't want to talk"), but it turns out he really enjoys reading himself to sleep! Thanks to Christina and Dawn talking to me about household bedtime reading last week (while discussing AR books and sharing of resources for the boys to test on), I realized that maybe if James had a lamp near his bed, he might read more too. It's hard to get him to stop playing in the evenings and on weekends to read because he reads all day long at school, then has homework when he gets home. He just wants to relax afterward, and we totally get that. But he should be reading more (we all should - well, maybe not Cora, since she already stays up too late with books), for the practice, and also for the joy of it (we know he likes it - he just likes others things more sometimes). 

And guess what? He has ASKED us if he "can go read in his room" multiple times over the past two days since getting his lamp. The first night he retreated to his room directly from the dinner table because he wanted to finish re-reading the first book in the Amulet series (he wanted to take an AR test on it, but hadn't read it since June when he got it from his cousin Eli). He read a quarter of it the day before and the rest of it between dinner and bedtime (though he did stay up 20 minutes late to finish it - he was determined). And it was the first AR book worth more than half a point that he's tested on. Last night was very busy with homework and Scouts, but even though we got home right at bedtime, he insisted on being allowed time to read before turning off his light (he had started the second Amulet book after he finished his homework). Then this morning, as we were heading out to walk Buster, James asked if he could sit in the van and read his book instead. So, we've created a monster of sorts, it seems, but I'm excited for him! He can't wait to start the Minecraft series that Coltin let him borrow yesterday (we told him he had to finish the book he was already reading before starting the next - we don't want him to get confused for AR tests) and was happy to hear that there are 7 total books in the Amulet series, so he has plenty of chapter books to work with for a while. 

I am seriously thrilled by this development. Before yesterday, he had taken 19 AR tests and was nearing 10 points and 10,000 words. As of today he's taken 20 AR tests and has passed the 10 point mark, and after he tests on his current book he'll hit 20,000 words, effectively doubling his word count with these last two books (well, AR test word count - he certainly reads books and other things at home, like comic books and magazines, that he won't ever test on). It's not a competition (between him and his friends, or between him and his classmates - though he does love seeing his AR stickers pile up near the top of the class and he gets to bump his behavior color up a notch for every 100% AR score he earns, which is how he comes home "above purple" some days) and the only set goal for 2nd Graders at Southpark this quarter is to pass tests on 10 books (because they didn't get their STAR Exam levels back until the very end of August and thus had a delayed start to AR testing), but these recent accomplishments make him feel SO GOOD (and he really loves the graphic novels) and I know he's ridiculously proud of himself. Like I said at the end of last year, if he's happy (and meets his goals), we're happy. Being a Book Monster is pretty cool though...

SCHOOL PICTURE DAY 2016

 And the obligatory comparison, which WOW, they have sure grown in a year!

OKTOBERFEST: KIDS NIGHT

 Tonight was Martin's Kids Night Oktoberfest celebration, with instructions for girls to dress as princesses if desired. Well yes, our girl desires.

 Lisa had set up some games for the kids (crown decorating, prince/princess coloring sheets, and castle building), so James and Cora got right to work (we were the first ones there).

 There were four Oktoberfest/fall beers served on the deck, a German dinner menu, and kids were allowed in the Beer Garden. The weather was perfect (fall is really coming y'all - THIS WEEK!) and we had good company (one of James' Cub Scout buddies showed up shortly after we arrived, so the kids ran wild together while the parents enjoyed their beers and the breeze). We don't often go out on weeknights, so this was a nice treat! (And the kids were exhausted when we got home and had a nice, early bedtime - BONUS.)

 James does not own a prince costume and it was too hot to be a dragon, so he chose Antman.

PUMPKIN TOWER

Cora started decorating for Halloween last weekend while I was in Memphis despite my pleas to wait for me (I didn't want to miss out!), but luckily there was still plenty to do (we own far more Halloween decor than we do for Christmas or any other holiday). We finished up this afternoon (well, all except the mantel, since we're waiting on a delivery...) and Cora was a wonderful helper (she gave me some great new ideas that I'll post about when the mantel is complete). She was beside herself when I handed her this door decoration that Gramma sent us last November and quickly got to work decorating the pumpkin faces, on HER closet door (much to James' dismay, but hey, he was busy playing video games, so I let my little helper make the call on location).

 Once it was complete, she changed into last year's skeleton jammies (they mostly fit, but only because I bought them big) and posed and asked me to send a photo to Gramma.

SWEATY SOCCER SWEETIE

I could go on and on about the drama that occurred during Cora's game (we had a bad ref and a couple of ill-behaved parents, and one case of heat stress), but let's just look at my sweaty little soccer sweetie instead (he had a great game!)

HALLOWEEN JUNKIES

The best thing about Halloween decor going up in stores in September is that we have more time to play with all the masks and costumes (and we can spread out the decoration upgrades among multiple pay checks). We spent nearly 2 hours at Walmart today (I know), with 75% of that time spent playing in the Halloween sections. I could have taken a couple dozen photos of the kids in masks, but I was too busy belly laughing at their insanity. Maybe next time...

HIGH HEELS AND HEART LIPS

Cora drew this picture of her and her new best friend at school (Laila). The high-heeled shoes, tiaras, eyelashes, and heart lips are new to her repertoire and I love it! (She more often draws the two of them holding hands beside a many-storied pink house, complete with chandeliers, and the word PANCAKES written in the sky...)

MORNING MULTITASKING

Garbage hauling, dog walking, and soccer homework (they've been doing 10 laps around the house dribbling their balls followed by 50 touches most days this week). I don't multitask in the mornings nearly as well as Jay does... But hey, we haven't been late to school or work even ONCE this year, so go me!

SCRUB 'EM

Both kids have asked to do the dishes this week... 

Yup. Sure thing. Knock yourselves out. AND thank you!

SHELBY FARMS PARK

Robyn was ready for an adventure this morning! She planned a day at Shelby Farms Park Conservancy where we could do anything from hiking to paddle boarding to horseback riding. Being Monday, not everything was open, but the GoApe zipline obstacle course was! While we waited for our appointment time, we checked out the huge playground and got some steps in (I love winning the VivoFit steps challenge), and I made her pose with a life-size stuffed bison (they have a live herd roaming the grounds, which we saw at the end of the day).

The GoApe obstacle course challenge started with a lengthy instructional lesson and practice session. The instructor later commented that the 3 of us (small group!) were some of the most attentive he's seen. Well, when your life depends on following the instructions, you listen, am I right?!

 After a (low to the ground) "Amazon Bridge" and mini zipline practice session, we passed the "point of no return" and began the climb into the trees.

 There were 5 sections in total, each of which started with a lengthy ladder climb up into the canopy (20-30 feet up) after entering a locked staging area (where we could get water to rehydrate and rest on benches between sets). The ladders, obstacles, and "Tarzan Swings" each had us using different safety systems, but one thing was common between them all - ALWAYS STAY CONNECTED!

 I didn't take too many photos up in the trees, mostly because my phone was zipped into my shorts and tucked beneath my harness (making it hard to access), but also because (obviously) we were on the move (I tended to send Robyn ahead so that I had an example to follow) and having fun, and working hard (it was taxing on the arms especially, but also the legs at times, not to mention my nerves!) In this particular set of photos, Robyn is taking the "Extreme" option while I paralleled her on the "Moderate" side.

 Yes, those are free hanging RINGS that she had to navigate through. She says this was the hardest obstacle. And I was so happy I walked the X's and O's instead!

 Net bridge. Just a few stories up and a position that forced us to look down at the ground as we placed our knees (I tended to avoid looking down for fear that I'd lose my balance or become unnecessarily scared - I really was VERY safe and secure the entire time, and I always double checked my connections before starting a new obstacle).

 Here are some videos of Robyn on the Tarzan Swings (version 1 = Practice, version 2 = Extreme):

And here is Robyn crossing the lake one final time (5 of the 6 ziplines crossed the lake), showing how easy it should be to land upright (something I failed to accomplish, except on that first tiny practice run):

In watching those videos, if you assume that Robyn is calm, collected, and fearless while suspended 30ft above the ground completing obstacles, you'd be correct. Me on the other hand? Not so much. And I'm not nearly as graceful either...

(That was my 3rd zipline, I think. Most of those screams were for fun. The first two rides nearly made me pee my pants though...)

Before heading to the airport (BOO!), we had a very late lunch at the Trolley Stop Market, drove over to Arkansas just to say we did (little did we know that Robyn's plane would get re-routed to Little Rock later that night due to weather - DOH!), then walked Beale Street one more time. I am so grateful for this weekend. Robyn is like family to me, she IS family to me, and it's SO HARD living far away from your family. I miss her and Stephen all the time, and since neither of us are very good about phone calls (and she doesn't like social media much, though I'm trying to convert her!), these times that we get together are really fun and special. It had been too long. Thank you, Robyn, for making the trip down to the south, I LOVE YOU!

FLYING TO FLIGHT

 To rave some more about the wonderful food (and drink) we enjoyed on this trip, we ate lunch at Central BBQ (before Sandra had to head back to MS), had a much better beer (than the Mich Ultra) at The Flying Saucer, then splurged on dinner at Flight (where you choose 3 "small plate" entrees and 3 complimentary wines to do your own tasting/pairing - they have recommendations for pairings, but Robyn and I made ours up based off the entrees we most wanted to try and the types of wine we knew we'd like).

I was most definitely not lacking for calories on this trip. I'm priding myself for not making a single poor meal decision for 3 days straight - everything I ate and drank was delicious!