Scary Spiders

One of the many craft projects Conner has brought home (we thought Brie brought home a lot of projects, I think they have a quota to meet these days), he is proud to show us each & every one of them but this one was so cute & required a quick shot....

Fall Soccer & End of Season Party

Watching Brie play soccer on a beautiful fall day is just the best, they had a great bunch of gals this year & it was awesome seeing Brie evolve. She's never had so many shots on goal & we can't wait to see what next spring brings!

Perfectly executed sneaky side pass Brie! Love how I don't know the technical name of that pass, clearly it's not "sneaky side pass!"

Brie on a break away taking it down the sidelines, she took a shot on goal but missed!

Half time break

Post game party - the challenge was to get the oreo cookie from your forehead, into your mouth without touching it! Only two were successful, it was very entertaining to watch the creativity!

Brienna - winner of "Best Team Spirit"

The whole crew!

This is typically the state of mind for these girls, they really know how to have fun! Good job girls, we're all very proud of you!!!

Dad's & Doughnuts

Conner was very excited to have his Daddy join him for the "Dads & Doughnuts" breakfast at school this morning. Who wouldn't be, doughnuts at school & your Daddy there to join you! Mrs. Ryan (Conner's Kindergarten teacher) shared this photo with us, we just love her! When asked what kind of doughnut he had Conner said "a chocolate one but there wasn't any pudding inside!"

Adam & Eve

Teacher Brian during story time @ Sunday school: What are some of the ways that God makes us uniquely our own?

Conner's hand shoots up in the air. His response: our skin! He precedes to stack his hands in mine like I've done with him jokingly many times in the past and whispers "like an oreo cookie right Mom!" oh how we love this boy!

Little Miss Jillian in Conner's class is becoming one of my fav's, she always finds me in the crowd & often fights with Conner for space in my lap during story time. When teacher Brian then asked the class who was the first man and woman made? She leans in and says to me "Mr. Obama and Mrs. Obama were the first ones made!" Hence why when my son's arm shoots up in response to a question this is what I fear will spilleth out...

With over 41 children in the 3-4 year old class and another class of 22 Kindergartners, I'm shot before the hour is up but always leave with the biggest of smiles!

STMA Fall Soccer Knights vs Minneapolis

It was so cool to watch Brienna's soccer game yesterday, they played Minneapolis and won 3-2!!! The best part was watching Brie's fancy footwork out pass the Mpls team. She had two attempts at goal which was extremely exciting, even though one went off the top of the goal post and the other a bit wide for the corner, it was awesome seeing the excitement in her eyes. This Mommy wasn't the only one impressed, the sidelines couldn't believe at one point how she went from a full run with the ball to a dead stop & complete direction change while keeping total control over the ball - proud moment indeed, the coaches cheers for her throughout the whole game just reinforced we're not biased! I guess we'll sign up for yet another year, keep up the great work peanut, we're so proud of you!

First Day of School - Part II Conner

Conner the Kindergartner! This little man does EVERYTHING his own way, always has. So when he ended up being hospitalized over Labor Day weekend & discharged the day before his first day of school, we certainly weren't surprised. Life is just so random for him & yet he rolls with every punch like a pro. His little body just couldn't fight a nasty case of pneumonia the week before which then triggered his asthma that had been virtually under complete control without meds just shy of 2 years. After 2.5 almost 3 days on oxygen he finally pulled out of in time. Thankfully his first day was short with only a couple hours of open house and meet-n-greet with his teacher. Then back home for some more much needed rest.

Nothing was going to keep him from this day, he's been waiting all summer to be a Kindergartner and see all his friends from Kids Play again. Nervousness was no where to be found, cool as a cucumber he marched right in! We have to tip our hats & give profound thanks to the amazing Kids Play teacher, Kathy, that preps her students so extremely well for this. She has been an amazing mentor & a huge part of Conner's preparation! We didn't even get a hug he was so ready to run inside & get started!
Prayers that you too love learning, that you look upon these years with eyes wide open, ears ready to absorb, & a strong arm ready to shoot up & participate! Tears of our last child entering the school system weren't flowing that day, just an enormous & unimaginable sense of pride for what he can & will accomplish! Wish you could have felt the level of excitement in his little body that day! Love you so much Conner!!!!

First Day of School - Part I Brienna

Somewhere along the way Brienna has grown up & it's hit us more so this year than ever as we saw her become a SIXTH grader! What? Denial only gets you so far. She still has this awesome love for school, so the start for her was very exciting! Here are some pics of her first day of school!

The before.....

The after, still smiling & not even bummed about having homework already!