Outdoor Fun with Friends

It was a good weekend for some outdoors fun.

Beckett went to a bounce-house-birthday party

and the weather was so nice,

we decided to walk to pick him up

instead of drive

Nothing like a walk

to work off our Friday night tacos!

In fact,

our walk looked so enticing,

other friends decided to ditch their parents' cars

and join us on our stroll!

On Saturday,

we all had a game

so we were at the ballparks

from 7:30am to 5:30pm.

Whew.

That's some outdoor time!

My BFF Mack needed a place to stay

while his parents were out of town

so we had an impromptu sleepover.

And more outdoor time.

We hit up a park

for some playtime and pizza

Can you see us?

There was a lot of tag and hide-and-seek

We paused for just a minute

for a picture

before we climbed in the jeep

for an ice cream run.

The most fun of the night though

was frantically waving at everyone we passed

to see how many return waves we could get.

Turns out, people think all us kids

stuffed in a jeep are pretty hilarious--

we got a TON of waves and even a few honks!

It's been a good day.

 

Things we don't want to forget

Somehow, this post that Mom started in December 2019

got lost and unpublished.

She said she had to share it

because it was too good to miss.

And how about this MASSIVE

Geotrax city back when Tuck had his own room?

Aww.  A little blast from the past.

The big kitchen remodel

Well, it all started back in February.

We liked our downstairs,

but after 12+ years, 

it needed a facelift.

We put in a new backsplash a few years ago,

but it was time for more.

We started with a new wall color,

a few new light fixtures,

and some new barstools and kitchen table

It was a bit hard,

but we decided to paint the stained cabinets.

Lots of furniture to move...

Well, that's different!

And now...

for a new island.

Everyone is always in the kitchen.

We might as well make it more functional!

Coming together

Island is in!

(and another set of barstools--

the first ones fell apart.

Apparently we're rough.

Hard to believe.)

And now...

floors.

We had to move out of the house

for this part

(remember?  Our hotel adventure?)

After a few more months of Dad's hard work,

here's the final product:

Dining room:

(new paint, new lights,

wainscot paneling, and an amazing ceiling)

Living room:

(a bit of paint and a new picture)

Hearth room:

(new furniture,

new paint, new fan)

And the finale--

the new kitchen:

(new...well, everything)

Before:

After:

LOVE IT!!!

Back in his running shoes

Mom and Dad were impressed

that even a 6:30am practice time

didn't deter me from running with Cross Country again

I like it!

My first meet was Monday.

I took it at my own pace,

staying in the pack

But at the end, 

I turned it ON

SMOKED HIM!

Doing it for the popsicles.

Our second meet today was a HUGE one

between 15 schools.

I hung back and let the crazy, jostling pack go ahead

(yep, I'm literally dead last).

All part of my plan

I finished in the first 1/3 to 1/2 (times aren't back yet).

But I did beat my friends Callum and Ryker.

That's something!

If they could just get our times out a little sooner--

surely I'm setting some personal records out here!

Tooth #2!

Look what happened!

I lost my second tooth!

I LOVE losing teeth--

I've been watching my brothers do it for so long

I'm glad to finally join the club!

I had to tell my buddy Ethan all about it.

 

CHIEFS!

Know what's better than Friday?

Red Friday.

 

Making the most of Labor Day

Labor Day was one of Mom's holidays to work,

so no cabin for us.

But that doesn't mean we can't live it up!

We hit up the drive-in movie with our friends

the Christians

We had one last late-night swim

with all our neighborhood friends

And we got out the pool

and slip-n-slide for some backyard craziness.

We manage to have fun

no matter what we're doing!

Rocking 1st grade

If Mrs. Kasper tell me to do it,

consider it done.

I'm getting in my reading minutes

watching the Chiefs game

(it was homework!)

and listening and working hard in class.

Which helped me to be

one of the first 3 kids in the class

to earn 15 Dojo points

and my chance to sit in the teacher's chair

all day long.

Yep, I'm making 1st grade look easy.