Cousin time in Apex/Chapel Hill

The last Saturday in September, we entertained a few visitors from Charlotte!! They were here for the whole day hanging out - but it was a little loud in my house with four boys - so off to a park we went! 

We love turtle park! 

Asher was thoroughly enjoying the slides - he is a brave little boy! 

The very tall slides were this trio's favorite, but they liked this rolling slide too - it is even more fun when you ride all together!

All four cousins together!

Kade (8), Maddox (6), Brock (10 1/2), Asher (20 mos.) 

After walking around the pond, we stopped to watch the turtles! (hence our nickname "turtle park"). 

The next day, I was off to Chapel Hill on babysitting duty while the other three attended a local wedding. I forget how much toddlers SNACK! This boy wanted a little bit of everything!  

After a good nap, we grabbed the stroller and walked Franklin Street. The Airbnb they had rented was only a block from Franklin Street, so made for a great location to cruise (if you're in a stroller!) and people watch. We even spied the blue fire truck!! 

We made it all the way up to the park next to Morehead Planetarium and I let the little man out to stretch his feet!

He's blowing me kisses in this picture!

A little art sculpture iguana by the Planetarium. He was not feeling the Instagram-worthy moment. Too many leaves and sticks to focus on! 

We stopped for a photo opportunity at the Old Well and then headed back! 

I loved my time with Asher! He kept me busy and reminded me of all the ways toddlers need you to keep a watchful eye! He had a little piece of garbage and off he ran down the hallway.... to throw it into the toilet! Ha! He's a cutie and super smart. Thank you to Brian & Nancy for letting me hang out with him for the day! Happy you all got to enjoy a Sunday afternoon wedding! ;) 

Kade's Fall Soccer

We signed Kade up for Soccer through the town of Apex. They play all games at Hunter Street Park, a very cute little park right downtown we had not ever visited up to this point!

Kade is Blue Jersey #15! First game was August 26th and Kade played pretty well for only attending two practices prior! (Some mis-communication with getting assigned to a team late made us miss the first 3 practices! Oops!)

Yes... he got whistled at this throw... (got to keep your feet down while you throw!)

I was amazed the refs weren't calling the game - thunder was going on all around us!!

    

Soccer seems to be a much better sport for his body - constant movement!

Soccer game from September 16. 

Kade was SO close to a goal!

Good looking soccer Dad. 

And then he played goalie! Good thing this was the only time the ball came near him - otherwise a very uneventful goal keeping. 

Game from September 27. Kade is goalie with a little more action!

He made that save!!

I think he thoroughly loves having the attention of his teammates during his goalie kick!

Game from October 7. 

He can be pretty speedy when he wants to be!!

Two more games and then Fall Soccer season is over. He's already asking to play again in the Spring! Success!! 

Labor Day Weekend

 

We celebrated Papa's 73rd birthday! Dinner menu consisted of beef tenderloin, Atlantic salmon, white rice and garden-grown zucchini! Nana Phyllis wasn't feeling well unfortunately, but we sent Papa back home with some dessert to share. 

Wish I had taken some pictures, but both Brock and Kade showcased things that they like for presents for Papa. Brock wrote a story about them going into a forest and seeing a real Moose. Kade completed four long division problems. 

Happy faces about to devour that apple pie with vanilla ice cream for dessert! 

Another weekend, another Big Mabel opportunity! This time we talked the kiddos into trying it backwards. Hard to get a picture of both their heads up over the edge! 

There they are - with the U.S. Route 64 bridge in the background!

Turned back around - and they both agree; they like it better this way.

We like it too so we can keep an eye on the big bounces.... like this one!!!

No one was hurt and he was happy to continue! What a nice Labor Day weekend!

First Day of School 5th/3rd Grade!

First day of school and last year (for awhile) that they're both in the same school!! Both kiddos were really excited to be going back to school this year - Brock is in a class with one of his good friends, so that has really brightened his spirits! Kade is entering SSA (Single Subject Acceleration) Math this year and pumped! Both boys received brand new Pottery Barn backpacks this year - Pac-Man (X-Large!) for Brock and Minecraft for Kade (backpacks not pictured). 

We are ready for a new school year!! Moose was excited to get his picture taken too!

After just a week of missed busses (their fault, not ours), we are good to go - last year took almost three weeks, so I call that an improvement! 

We are starting the new year fresh and really excited! Kade goes down the hall to a fourth grade class every day for his math hour - and it happens to be Brock's teacher from last year! 

These are some snippets from Brock's teacher - they flew paper airplanes in the courtyard, collecting data to make a line graph (Brock has his back to the camera up against the wall). The second picture was a "directions test" - that's Brock's friend making the very dramatic gesture - guess he didn't follow the directions so well. ;) Both pictures you can see Brock's new accessory - glasses. We are so proud of him and his dedication to wear them (even if the incentive at home is driving him) - it surely makes a difference when you can see things!

One of the many cool things about their elementary school - electives! They choose them the first week of school for Quarter 1 and 2 and were just released today! They get two each quarter. 

Kade's Electives 

Quarter 1 = Logic & Problem Solving (AIG) and Character on Trial

Quarter 2 = Math Around Us (AIG) and Multiplication & Division.  (Can you tell he loves math?)

Character on Trial sounds pretty cool - he will bring a fairy tale villain to trial using our own legal system and laws, build a case, write about it, and argue the case. 

Brock's Electives

Quarter 1 = Rocks & Minerals: Treasures from the Earth and Lifetime Sports (PE class)

Quarter 2 = Media Masters: The Truth about Advertising (AIG) and Robotics

Media Masters can be very practical information and Brent will surely appreciate Brock being informed in marketing schemes! 

Last bit of "new beginnings" - Brock is officially a Wahoo! An RSA (Raleigh Swimming Association) Wahoo, that is! He started September 1st and is loving it. More blogs to come of his swimming and swim meets!

Brent and Kade hanging outside of RSA waiting for Brock's practice to be done.