Homecoming parade

It was a tricky morning trying to figure out how to make it to all the things.  Garrett was in the district home coming parade in Wentzville.  We wanted to go to the parade but also needed to get Nolan to Warrenton for his football game.  It would be cutting it close, but we decided to make it work.  We sat at the beginning of the parade route so we could get out as soon as the parade was over.  We found a nice spot in the shade.  Garrett had fun participating in the parade.  He saw lots of people he knew along the parade route.  Nolan got so much candy!  Being at the beginning of the parade everyone had plenty of candy to throw.  He filled up two Walmart bags!  Once the parade was over, we hurried to Nolans game.  It was so hot sitting in the sun.  Some of the kids on Nolan's team were getting sick from being so hot.  They had a great game and Nolan played well.  He was so hot and sweaty when the game was over.  I'm glad we were able to squeeze everything in and not have to split up to make it all work.  I didn't want to sit at the parade by myself and I also wanted to see Nolan play.   

Happy birthday JJ

We were all so glad that it worked out for us to spend the day together as a family.  The kids had off school, so I had off work.  JJ's Fridays are flexible so he made sure he could be free on his birthday.  We haven't had a day like that in a long time!  JJ picked up some donuts after his workout.  We got ready and packed some lunches and headed out for some fun.  It was going to be a hot day! Much warmer than it usually is the end of September.  JJ wanted to spend some time in Forest Park.  We started at the art museum.  We were able to view their hip hop exhibit for free since it was Friday.  We thought it was funny that you could take a stool around with you to sit on while you look at the art.  We teased JJ that since he is 42 now that maybe he would enjoy a little rest every once and a while.  We looked at most of the art on the first floor and then called it good. We ate out lunch on some benches in front of the art museum overlooking art hill and the pretty water.  We then headed to the zoo.  Garrett wanted to see the penguins but that was closed.  We saw a few outside and then headed to the bears.  They were active and swimming.  It was fun to see them up close.  We saw the apes and then went to the new monkey exhibit.  We were all getting pretty hot and sweaty.  We went inside for a few things like the reptile house.  We stayed until the middle of the afternoon, and we were all ready to go.  We stopped at a gas station close by for a cold drink to enjoy as we drove home.  JJ wanted to grill some burgers for dinner.  We had dinner and then had cake together.  He picked out some cheesecake from the grocery store, nice and easy.  We then headed to the football game as a family.  It was the pink out game and the last home game of the season.  We have enjoyed going to the football games together this season.  It was a great day and I'm glad the stars all aligned so we could be together.  I hope JJ felt loved and enjoyed his time with us celebrating.        

 

Patio

Our new deck and patio project is finally making progress.  We were delayed due to a workers strike within the concrete company. It was a little frustrating to sit around and wait.  We knew it was delaying our deck progress.  We were glad when they showed up!  They laid plywood all down the side of the yard to drive their little tractors on.  It was nice because it didn't damage the yard.  They had to take off part of the fence too.  They were able to break up and remove the old patio easily and they worked fast!  Jack and Nolan loved watching them work out the window as we were getting ready for the day.  By time I left for work they had things framed out.  It was nice to see things framed out, we could finally get a good feel for the size and see what things would look like.  I know it was tricky to get the exact measurements and placing for the deck.  I asked my neighbor what was going on while I was at work, and she sent me a picture.  I was actually thankful to be away from the project.  I would have looked out the window all day long wondering what was going on and questioning all the choices we made.  When I got home from work, they had everything poured.  It looked great! I was glad I was there as they were finishing.  There were a few spots I asked them to smooth a little better.  They were done and had things all cleaned up by time the kids got home from school.  We will need to wait a few days for the concrete to set before they can start working on the deck.  It is a nice big patio, and we are going to love all that space!   

 

Nolan's speech teacher had a birthday and he wanted to make her some cookies.  He wanted to make the cookies all on his own and I let him!  I just told him what to do and let him do it all.  He did a great job and was excited to take her the cookies.  He told me that she loved them!

It has still been very warm here.  I picked Nolan up from football practice and he was so hot and sweaty.  I got there a little early and they were running up and down the hill to finish off practice.  It looked like a hard practice!

The boys were dressed and ready for school and I saw they were kind of matching.  I had to snap a picture of them looking so handsome.  Nolan really wanted tall Nike socks.  The no name ones from Walmart were not good enough for him.  He used some of his own money to buys some Nike socks from Dicks.  He loves his new socks and loves to wear them.   

Lucy got asked to homecoming by her friend Taylor Conran.  They were born days apart while in our BYU ward.  The Conran's lived here in St. Louis for the past few years.  Over the summer Lucy and Taylor were at FSY at Mizzou during the same time.  They meet up there and had a fun time hanging out.  Right after FSY the Conran's moved to Arkansas.  Lucy and Taylor have been texting a lot since FSY.  Taylor invited Lucy to come down to Arkansas to go to homecoming with him.  She is looking forward to going down to attend the dance and spend time with him.    

Garrett was the September Library Challenge winner.  He completed all the things, and his name was drawn.  He got a candy and a soda.  He loves the library, so I wasn't surprised to hear he won this. 

Homecoming Dance

Both Lucy and Garrett attended the homecoming dance at the school.  Neither of them had dates but had fun going with friends.  Lucy took pictures at Quail Ridge with some friends.  They went to dinner at Olive Garden and then Lucy came by the house to pick up Garrett.  Garrett meet up with his friends at the dance.  I told him he didn't have to stay long and when he was done, I would come pick him up.  I think it was hard for him to not be included in a group like Lucy was.  It would have been fun for him to take pictures and dinner with some friends and then all go to the dance together.  I was glad that he was able to meet up with them at the dance.  He stayed for most of the dance and then texted me when his friends all left.  I picked him up and he said it was too loud in there.  He told me that his watch alerted him that his environment was too loud.  Lucy went to a friend's house to hang out after the dance.  I am glad they both went and were able to have fun.  I wish someone would have asked Lucy to the dance.  I know it would mean so much to her to have a date to the dance.  We had to nudge Garrett a little to go but I think he is glad he did.  I hope next year he can be included in a group with his friends.    

Powder Puff

Wednesday evening Lucy was able to participate in the powder puff football game.  It was such a fun evening watching her play.  The Junior girls played against the senior girls.  Lucy played center position and would toss the ball to the quarterback.  It was flag football and Lucy pulled the flag off the girl running with the ball at the end of the game.  That play tied the game and went into a kicking competition to decide the winner.  The seniors won the goal kicks at the end and won.  The announcer was entertaining and overall, it was a fun evening.  

Friday night at the homecoming football game it was Jr. Eagles night.  Nolan was so excited to help welcome the team onto the field.  He loves going to the games and being able to be involved was fun for him.  It was fun to celebrate homecoming this week and all the festivities that involved.  I remember what a fun time that was in high school.  It is fun now to watch my kids experience it.