August 2016

My keywords for August include: Running, Crazy Boys, Back to School and Mild Temperatures.

I took a lot of pictures this month so I probably won't write as much.  Will and I  increased our running nearly every week this month.  We are both up to 18 Miles (we both will complete later this week) and only have one more really long run of 20 miles to do ( and several shorter long runs-you know like 10 miles-soooo short) before we begin tapering for the marathon.  We are also running a half marathon in Greenville next month, I'm looking forward to it!  I've been surprised how with the small increases every week my body is ready for it and I'm running more than I ever thought possible.

I don't know if Rex and Grant could sense the change in the air of school beginning soon, or if it was Will and I leaving them at Grandma's house for a whole week (last month) and they had to stick together as brothers, or what it was but they have been buddy buddy all month long. Also they have been complete maniacs a lot of the time.  Just total goofballs.  I'm glad they are such pals but just wish it didn't involve so much pushing, shoving, wrestling, screaming, and craziness constantly.  We've hardly been out of the 80's all month long, high humidity but not super hot (until this last week ugh it was hot)...fall is getting close I'm gonna be ready for it this year.

We made a family trip to the Magic House before school started (and took Ezra with us) We hadn't been in a long time and I actually made it to the 3rd floor this time!

Rex colored and scanned the rocket at the top of the screen into the wall mural at the magic house.  Then he also got to bring home a scanned version of it he can cut and paste into a 3d model of his rocket.

The boys had fun with Marble Madness (one of my old childhood toys) at Grandma and Papa's

Mom and I took the boys to the Bond County Fair to ride some rides, eat some pork burgers, and drink some Lemon Shake-ups.  We all came back a few day later to walk in the parade and hand out pencils and beads for Dad,  The boys loved watching the rest of the parade after we got done, we decided to stay for the fireworks at the Grand Stand, (which were happening because the 4th of July show got cancelled and postponed till now) this was the boys first fireworks show, it was a little loud for them but they both really loved it.  We had a front row view and at the end there was even a fire work american flag and a big fire flame that shot up out of the infield of the track.  We were all impressed by that!

We met up with the Battleson's at the splash pad and Rex found his buddy Landon (from school) (in the orange shirt) at the splash pad too! Landon was excited to find out they will be in the same class again this year.

I just shot this pic as Rex was climbing towards me and I really love it.

Grant is strong! and a good helper

We always enjoy the homecoming parade in Fairview. (well 3 of us do anyway, Will has to work it every year) This is my favorite entry every year, this whole crew of people probably about a dozen of them that have transformed their bikes into animals.  they are all different and cool.  We got a ton of candy, I'm pretty sure I will be handing some of it out a Halloween.

these 2 have turned into such good buddies this summer.

This is our Lava obstacle course.  It included lava rivers, an exploding volcano, lava rocketship, lava spiders, a lava tornado, lava robot, lava cannon, lava tree, and a lava sandwich, whew, Grant has a big imagination.

Here is my big boy 1st Grader!  He's off to a great start!  He's already got 2 weeks in and he's loving it all so far.

Papa Rex got some free tickets to the state fair.  I had never been, so the boys and I  (sorry daddy had to work) tagged along with them for the day.  We had a great time.  There was a chance of rain but it turned out to be a very pleasant cool August day with only one 5 minute shower the whole day.

the before picture.....good thing I don't have an after picture.  Rex NO May Gusta el Bumper cars.

they were happier than they look

We had a Minion Madness day at Church for Back to school kick off.  The boys liked dressing up and both ended up winning prizes for the best costumes in their classes.  They were so excited.

Grant has been head over heels in love with Geo Trax all month long.  He builds a track then tears it all down and builds another one.  Sometimes he has 2 or 3 track creations in one morning.  Rex never was into building the track him self, I would just usually build a track and then he would play with the trains and people on it.  I'm really glad Grant has discovered a love for building his own creations!

Builder problems: when your old dog wont move....

You don't know anyone in this picture probably but it is the kick off bbq we had for my former MOPs group now re-branded our own name MOV (mothers of Valor) (pronounced Move)  this is only half of the pavilion and half of the people there.  I didn't realized till I saw a lot of the ladies at the bbq how much I had missed all my mommy friends and interactions all summer.  We will start meeting the 1st Tuesday in Sept.  I'm looking forward to it.

Best Buddies swimming and Icee pops. 

 We've been wet almost every day this last week of August.  It has been hot and humid and well August in the mid west.  We played in the rain one evening, went to a splash pad the next (for the bbq) went swimming the next, and Grant and I went to a MOV playdate the next!  playing in the water is such a timeless past time.  As long as there are people there will be kids playing in the water I think.

We've kinda gotten back into the swing of things around here but next month it's really going to get busy Grant will be back to school 3 days a week (after labor day), MOV will officially start up for me.  Fall schedule here we come. (and hopefully fall temperatures too)