August: back to school and so much more...

Wow when I look back at all the pictures from August its kinda hard to believe all of it happened this month.  Let's see if I can remember any of it.

The pictures above and below are from a trip to the botanical gardens.   I had wanted to take my mom with me sometime this summer and the boys and I really needed an outing.  It was a really fun day.  We spent a majority of our time in the children's garden but had a great time.  I kinda fell in love with the "pin cushion" succulent gardens.  

Grant: the safari leader and bat.  Rex: a sunflower.  

 Rex says "leaf me alone!"

It only took us all summer but we finally checked out the new splash pad in Edwardsville.  It was hot!  Boys had fun, did I mention it was hot....I shoulda packed my suit.

I have a baby pumpkin growing in the garden!

Grandma Kay and Grandpa Jerry came to visit!  It was perfect timing to help the last week of summer (which was dragging on for all of us) go by quickly and funnly.  (that's a word I'm sure of it).

We took them to Cahokia Mounds (an ancient Indian civilization historical site just minutes from our house) , The World Bird Sanctuary (on the West side of St. Louis), Bob Evans, and even the Back to school open house.

The boys put Grandma to work asking for Donuts while she was here.  

Fairview's annual homecoming parade!  soooo much candy!!!

I really wanted Rex to learn to ride a bike this summer.  He's just never been interested in it and too scared of falling to try much. I finally coerced him enough to do some short lesson here or there and he picked it up in no time at all.  He's still a bit wobbly but we've had him out on the cultisac and he can do it he just over thinks it and stops A LOT!  Also he's riding on a bike way to small for him and he doesn't want to move to a bigger bike.  :/

I've started working at the Bond County Courthouse 1 day a week!  I've been going while the boys are at school and Will is at work.  Just scanning old court documents for about 5 hours at a time.  Probably wont make a career out of it but its helping me get 1 foot back into the working world and I'm thankful that I can pick the days and times I want to work.

When these 3 get along (which has been few and far between lately) it really is fun to watch. This day they made books for about 4 hours!   

bedroom painting planning has begun!

Look how big the pumpkin is getting!  There are 2 others growing too!!

We ran our 1st All Rowland Family 5K at the Christ Church Feed My Sheep 5K.  This was something we've been planning since the beginning of summer and Rex's mileage club accomplishments.  Rex kinda fell off the bandwagon and hadn't run a whole lot over the summer but he did great!!  He and Will ran/walked it in 33 mins and 33 sec.  Which was good enough to earn him 1st in his under 10 age division.  He's already planning his next race

Grant got to do a kid fun run aroudn the church too!

Rex with his 1st place medal! (I also got second in my age division (and I pushed Grant all the way in the stroller) and Will, who ran side by side with Rex the whole way ended up getting 1st in his age division.  AND we won 2 door prizes!  (did I mention it was a small race).  

We've got a reader.  What do you think should reading be allowed at the table?  Probably not but it was a very quiet meal....

Rex has now read the entire 12 book Captain Underpants series, and 2 books in the Dog Man series (by the same Author), he is anxiously awaiting the release of the 3rd Dog Man book.  

Will and I got given 2 free tickets to a St. Louis FC soccer game. (a minor league soccer league) With short notice and Grandma out of town we got a paid babysitter for only the 2nd time ever!  It was a fun night out together.

Will trying to get a shot of the head coach, one of his childhood soccer favs Prekki.

A kid and a cone, doesn't get much better than that.

The Eclipse 2017

I had volunteered to help in the boys classes during the eclipse but the school decided to not have any extra people come in that day, however they also sent home a note that said any absences the day of the eclipse would be excused.  Both boys had told me they were a little bit scared/nervous about it.  So I decided to come get them after lunch so we could all watch the momentous event together.  And I'm so glad we did, it was so fun to experience it with them and get excited together as things progressed and as we reached the peak of 99.93% coverage.  

Eclipse shadows on the ground were really cool to see.

The boys are still talking about it from time to time, and I've noticed there have been a lot of total eclipses popping up in their playing and stories.

Home makeover projects are underway.  We think we've selected a new color for our bedroom.  Silver Eucalyptus, now to actually do the work.

I've slowly been amping up my running all month training for the MO' Cowbell half marathon in St. Charles, MO. on Oct 1st.

Me and the boys just chilln' and watching a movie on a Friday night.  I've been so proud of how both of these guys have transition into the back to school routine so well.  

 Ok I know enough with the pumpkins already right.  I just can't get enough of my little gourd factory in the back yard.  I love they're starting to turn Orange almost as if summoning Fall to come soon.