Fall Sports

This fall Cade participated in t-ball and Reese participated in soccer through Olathe Parks and Rec.

It's always a shock to me and takes me awhile to realize that this is not going to be the most entertaining sporting events to watch.  It's like...oh yes...they aren't going to be good at this.  This is going to be slightly painful to watch 3 innings of preschoolers learning the basics of t-ball...

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm my child's biggest fan and it was cute to watch and definitely fun seeing them improve as the season went on.  But let's face it, a preschooler's coordination leaves quite a bit to be desired.

Hard to tell, but Cade is down in his defensive stance in the in-field in front of the coach.

Playing first base.

Being coached by Dad.

Reese's soccer was a parent & child league where they spent 30 minutes each Sunday doing soccer drills with the kids and parents.

Matt was happy to participate...until he broke his foot.  Then I had to step in...I swore there would be no more "parent & child" leagues for me ever since Cade's swimming lessons while I was pregnant with Reese.  But you gotta do what you gotta do.

Matt often helped with coaching in the dug-out, which ended up being quite the task to keep the kids in order and engaged in the game.  Like herding cats a bit.

Ready to score!  Toward the end of the season, Cade took to sliding into home plate.  So funny!

Gimme five!

Each child gets a turn at bat and automatically makes it to first and runs the bases.  Every time the ball is fielded it is thrown to first base just to teach them the basics.  Even if someone gets out, they still get to run the bases.  Even if the runner has already made it to first, they still throw to first just as part of the learning process.

Cade and Reese loved that all the grandparents made it to a game during the season!

Look at her wrist-bands...Reese is so hard-core.  She took her soccer very seriously and tried very hard to do EVERYTHING that the coaches said to do.

Reese was so proud of her medal!

Cade was thrilled that his cousins came to watch a game as well!

Aunt MaKenzie made a visit for the last game of the season!

Great season, Crushers!

Cade says he'd like to play football next...how to tell him the deadline for that has already passed...

First Tooth Fairy Visit

Exciting times around here, people!  Our very first visit from the Tooth Fairy!  Cade's bottom two teeth have been a bit wiggily for awhile now, but he hadn't really been messing with them.  I think he was a little scared about exactly how it works when a tooth falls out.

One evening after t-ball practice, Aunt Christy was wiggling the tooth and it came right out!  Much less painfully than Cade expected.

The actual evening that the tooth came out, we convinced Cade he wanted to hold on to his tooth for about a day or so before putting it under his pillow.  You know, he maybe wants to look at it a little bit before the Tooth Fairy takes it?  This was largely because the Tooth Fairy hadn't yet picked up any gold $1 coins from the bank...

So we Face-timed all the grandparents and Aunt Beth and Keith to show them the tooth and held onto it until we had more time to write a letter to the Tooth Fairy.

It was SO CUTE hearing Cade and Reese discuss what should be in the letter.  They decided to draw a picture of the Tooth Fairy (based on what they saw on an episode of Peppa Pig that involved the Tooth Fairy) and that she should have a crown and be wearing a purple dress.  Perfect!  Cade said I should tape the tooth onto her hand.  A nice touch, I must say.  

He put the letter next to his pillow while he slept...

...And awoke to a golden coin!  He was thrilled!  "This proves the tooth fairy is real!" Cade said.  Well...

We'll cross that bridge a little later...until then...we'll just celebrate these milestones together.  The Tooth Fairy is all stocked up on gold coins and ready for action!

Labor Day Weekend

To me, there are few things sweeter than a three-day weekend.  Labor Day weekend this year did not disappoint.  We had few plans other than attending the Royals game on Sunday.  We enjoyed sleeping in and a breakfast feast courtesy of Matt and a good balance of getting things done and laying around.  Loved getting some sun at the pool and then a barbecue and s'mores with friends to cap off Saturday.

Sunday we headed straight from church to the Royals game--a much anticipated event in our household.  We had purchased the family package (in celebration of Matt's birthday!) which includes food credit and Outfield Experience passes.  It was a scorcher but still a perfect afternoon!  Happy Birthday, Matt!

Unfortunately, Cade's favorite player, Lorenzo Cain, was not playing for this game since Ned decided we need to lose a few.  (I'm literally coaching from the cheap seats.)  We dodged questions from Cade as long as we could.

The kids had a great time hitting at the Little K field and running the bases.

Our seats were up super high, which the kids thought was so cool.  Bless their hearts, they don't realize it's more of a luxury to sit closer rather than farther away from the field.  They were actually pretty good seats still.  We caught a breeze, we could spread out, and the kids were pretty wiped from the Outfield Experience prior to the game so they were content to sit, eat, and enjoy the game.  We sat from the first pitch through the seventh inning, which impressed me!  It was so hot they didn't even need bathroom breaks due to the sweating, ha!

We hit up the Outfield Experience one more time and then headed out to get back to our house pretty much just as the game was ending.  A loss for KC.  I'm pretty sure I'm bad luck.  I rarely get to see a win!

We also spent the weekend playing Old Maid.  We randomly decided to teach the kids...and they LOVE it.  I have to admit, I LOVE playing with them too.

Matt remembered he used to hold cards like this as kids playing cards with Grandma Keeley.  Genius!

Monday night the Men's and Women's MNU basketball teams were heading out to the K to tailgate and go to the evening Royals game.  They ended up with extra tickets getting Cade, Reese and I the invite!  Two Royals games in two days, score!!!

The kids loved be-bopping around the tailgate.  The girls' coach organized everything and it was really fun and went very smoothly.  

We've noticed that Reese rarely shies away from the spotlight.

It was Armed Forces Night which was a special night to be there.  The weather was much, much cooler on Monday evening then it had been on Sunday.  #Kansas

The kids didn't understand why we couldn't hit up the Outfield Experience again and were quite a bit more restless without it.  We sat for 4 innings then walked around a bit and then headed home before the rain hit, and the Royals lost.  Just in time to reset for the week.  

A wonderful weekend with the people I love.  Two Royals games, the pool, pancake breakfast, and Old Maid.  Can't think of a better way to spend a glorious three-day weekend.

Now...when is the next day off?

Labor Days Past (Spent in the Bend): 2014 and 2013