New family member

This weekend we surprised the kids with a new pet!  They got to pick out a beta fish at Petco!  It was quite the ordeal getting all three to agree on a specific fish, name, and fish tank accessories!  The finally decided on a dragon tail beta names Clark, in honor of the Cubs mascot Clark.  We are all enjoying our new family member and the kids are constantly watching him swim around in his little tank on the counter in the dinning room/kitchen. 

Fall activities

This fall has been pretty busy around our house.  Both boys are playing flag football so we have two games a week.  Aubrey is taking dance classes again and also baton class this year so she has lessons two nights a week.  Nile is also still playing soccer so we have practice one night a week and games every Saturday morning.  Throw in Wednesday night church and you have a full schedule without considering Jeremy or I at all!!  It has been crazy at time with all these activities and all three kiddos in school full time this year but it has been fun as well.  Football and soccer are on the home stretch with only a week and a half left and then the boys will start up basketball.  Here are a few pictures from our busy fall!

Aubrey's first night of dance

Hayden flag football 2015

Dad and Hayden

Nile's first year of flag football

Nile soccer 2015

Aubrey at baton class (she is in the blue shirt)

Aubrey preforming downtown for the fall festival

Splish Splash

Nile in action - Go Colts

Hawkeye football

This season we took the whole family to the first Iowa football game.  We won tickets in a door prize from the Hawkeyes practice at Valley this spring.  We had great seat for a hot game! 

Hayden is 11!!!

I am really not sure how this happened, my oldest child turned 11 this past Saturday.  Hayden is such a fun kid.  He is really the perfect first child to have.  He is a great helper at home and loves to read and play many sports.  This Sunday we are having his friends' party at Sky Zone.  The boys have both been there but the rest of us have not so I am sure it will be an adventure. 

Last weekend of summer break

The saturday before school started we decided to run up to Iowa City for the day and do a little shopping then Sunday we headed to the Iowa State Fair for some yummy fair food!  In Iowa City we enjoyed lunch at our favorite spot, Steak N Shake!  We headed to Herky's locker room to use our coupon that came with Jeremy's season tickets.  They also had some great sales going on.  Then the mall and Costco.  I had a long list for Costco and we were also able to find Aubrey a new winter coat for a great price!  Love that place!  Sunday we headed to the fair for some family fun.  Aubrey and I entered the Mother Daughter Look Alike contest and that was fun.  I had never participated in the State Fair before.  Here are a few pictures from our busy but fun weekend!

Meet the teacher and First day(s) of school 2015

Last Friday was meet the teacher day for our kiddos.  This was our first year with visiting 3 classes in the 1 1/2 hour time frame.  That doesn't sound to tough but it is super busy at all of the school and we want each child to have some time to get acclimated to what will be there new surroundings for many hours through the next months.  Here are a few pictures of each child in their classrooms.  Aubrey is in kindergarten, Nile is in 3rd grade (this is his last year at Madison), and Hayden is in 5th grade at Jefferson.  I am very thankful that Nile and Aubrey are together in the same school for this year.  It has been a big comfort to her, and me too!

Yesterday was the boys' first day of school.  They both were super excited to have male teachers this year and several friends in their classes.  Hayden will be moving between two classrooms for different subjects.  Nile said he had so much fun he didn't want school to end!  Hopefully that continues all year!  Today was day 2 for the boys and day 1 for Aubrey.  This first week for Kindergarten only they split the class in half alphabetically so she is going Tuesday and Thursday and then her whole class will be together Friday.  She has been very excited about school while I have been less excited.  I know she will do great and have a lot of fun but I miss her at home with me too.  She was a little nervous this morning but she went off to the bus with Nile no problem and I have been doing ok here at home.  I have several daycare friends to keep me busy so that helps too!

 

Birthdays

This past Monday I was talking to the kids about birthdays.  I mentioned that Hayden's birthday was two months from that day and Nile reminded us that Daddy's birthday was in 3 days.  Aubrey asked when her birthday was and I told her in the spring.  Then Nile told her his birthday was in the winter.  Aubrey promptly said she knew someone else who's birthday was in the winter and I asked her who.  She quickly responded, "Jesus!"  Too cute not to share!