Barrel, Sombrero, What's the difference?

Kinsey had more fun at soccer practice tonight than she's had all season. She and her friend, Anna, were the only ones there for the first 15 minutes. They had a giggly time trying to get the ball away from their coach. Two girls and one stinky boy, she called it. Coach got a big laugh out of that one.
The coach talks to his nephew in Spanish. That prompted the following conversation:

Kinsey: Are you from Mexico?
I couldn't hear his response
Kinsney: Do you have a Mexico hat?
Coach: Yes, a sombrero.
Kinsey: (shocked) You have a barrel??? You wear it on your head???

It was hysterical.

Hay Bales

This weekend was opening weekend for bow season. We went to the camphouse and couldn't have asked for better weather. A cool front blew in Saturday night and it was amazing out there on Sunday. We were in no hurry to get back home today. Time just seems to slow down when we're there. No television, computer, telephone, or video games. It really is one of our very favorite places. We are so very lucky to have such a glorious place to spend our fall weekends.

Trace somersaulting over a gap in the hay bales.

Last year, while running the bales, Kinsey fell in between two bales and got stuck. It took her a while to get back on that horse today, but she did it! At the end of our time on the bales, she fell in this very gap she's hurdling right now. It is safe to say she panicked!
Katie absolutely loves running the bales, too. She and Trace climb up and run and run and run.

Two of my favorite little people.

Grasshoppers are everywhere right now. I caught a big one today...Kinsey was impressed.

Snuggled up with my girl!

Our Saturday Morning

Thankfully, it's been an uneventful Saturday morning for us. It's only noon, but I'll take what I can get!

Both kids played soccer this morning and the weather was absolutely gorgeous. It felt so good outside that I didn't even mind getting up at 6:30 on a Saturday morning. Although I did wish I had fixed some coffee to go...

Here's Trace kicking off to start the game.

While we waited for the game to start, Kinsey and I played with the camera. Ever the willing model...

After we got home, they played preschool. They even had a pillow fight at pre-k.

They have been really good this morning; playing together and not arguing. I'm not questioning it, I'm just going to enjoy it while it lasts!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off to Work I Go

I (sort of) re-entered the working world today. With both kids in school and Chad working exclusively in Lufkin, it only makes sense for me to work some now. So I have signed up to substitute. I turned in my paperwork on Friday, and at 7:20 this morning, the phone rang. It was Lydia, the school secretary. I had big plans for today...a run to the grocery store, a run, and lots much needed, quality time with the washer and dryer. Best laid plans......

She needed me to work this afternoon, so I agreed. Then it occurred to me to ask for specifics. Second grade, whew! A half-day in second grade was a good way to ease back in to teaching. Thank goodness she didn't say pre-k. All-in-all, it was a good day. I enjoyed the kids and we avoided major tragedies. At recess, a girl was stung by a mystery bug and one boy got really frustrated with his writing assignment and tore up his paper. But other than that...it was all good. Just like riding a bike!

Forest Festival

Don't you just love carnival food? I started running recently and trying to eat better, so I was very torn at the thought of all that fried food. I can hardly pass up a funnel cake. But I didn't have one today. And as I sit tonight typing this, I regret that. Deeply. Now I have to wait a year for the chance to have another one.

Ribbon fries, funnel cakes, jumbo corn dogs, fried oreos, sausage on a stick, turkey legs, BBQ sandwiches and the new addition this year....steak on a stick. I don't know why, but that one cracked me up. Leave it to Americans to put everything we can think of on a stick or in some batter and hot grease.

The girls at Kinsey's dance studio performed a clogging routine at the Forest Festival today. They have only had 3 classes, but they are too cute! Here she is with her friend Cate.

Kinsey and Ella...they have missed each other since we moved out of the neighborhood. They go to different schools so they don't get to see each other often enough. They were so happy to see each other!

Cate, Ella, and Kinsey. I think they are each looking at a different camera.

I was really proud of Trace today. He wanted to ride this ride, but after watching it once, decided against it. Then his friend, Austin, asked him to ride so he gave it a shot.

Picking up some speed and getting pretty nervous...

He wasn't this happy the whole way through! But he loved it and wanted to ride again.

5 in 1 Day

Brace yourselves, people. This might be a record. Five posts in one day.

We had a really good day today. Two great soccer games, (my favorite) UFO pizza for lunch, a few errands, a little nap, then smores in the backyard. A good, good day.

More Soccer - Kinsey

Her almost goal...So close! She's the blue jersey closest to the goal.

Directing traffic......

More Soccer - Trace

Balancing on a soccer ball. He was so proud of himself!
Throwing the ball in...

A little coaching from Dad.