Put me in Coach!

Nate started soccer this afternoon with his first practice and game, and Brandon made his debut as a soccer coach. Nate was so excited, he 'just couldn't wait.' He loves the fact that Brandon's coaching him, one of his classmates is on his team, and it's finally his turn to play seeing as how MC has been playing for a couple of weeks already. (I will remember the camera for her game soon I promise - I can't believe I've forgotten it two weeks in a row!) Though he's had very little experience as a soccer player (one year as a youngster) and none as a soccer coach, Brandon's debut was great. He had lots of fun drills for the kids and they all seemed to have a great time. They had a great game too. They don't keep score at this age, but Team Magic did score several goals which is what really matters to the kids. Though I did manage to remember the camera for this game, I didn't get many great shots, but enjoy the ones I did get. We'll have updates on Team Magic, their over-qualified coach, and star player soon. Hugs to everyone!

THE Playhouse

Brandon's masterpiece is done! He finished tonight fixing up the old play area and adding on a real playhouse. It looks fantastic and the kids adore it! They have big plans for the house...furniture, fireplace, kitchen, and more. We're counting on their imagination to fill in these blanks. :)

Brandon finished the new playhouse section on Friday so they enjoyed snacks and playing most of the weekend outside. They brought their small plastic chairs outside, added a blanket as a rug, and used rocks and sticks from the yard to fashion a fireplace. We were counting on those imaginations!By Sunday evening Brandon had finished fixing up the old part of the play house and added the finishing touches, including flower boxes and a flag...Isn't it awesome!?! Brandon really outdid himself. MariCagle has been trying to come up with a way to thank him. So far taking him out for coffee is her favorite suggestion.

First day of school....

The kids were quick out of bed this morning, very excited about the first day. We started the day with a special breakfast of bacon and pancakes.

Ready for the short walk in the drizzly weather.

We took Nate to class first. I can't believe my baby is in school!!!

He put his things away, found his seat and got straight to work.

After dropping Nate off, MC got a little nervous that she was going to be late. She is a rule follower (in school at least) so late wasn't an option for her. She sat right down and got to work. What dedicated students we have!

Nate followed the pick up rules very well despite his excitement at Daddy's being there to pick him up. Nate's first day report...he got a library book, ate in the lunch room but didn't get to finish his apples, remembered several of the boys' names who played legos with him but not many girls, and read a story about Mrs. Bindergarten in Kindergarten.

MariCagle enjoyed her first day too. Her first day report...they started the book 'Charlotte's Web,' she made lots of new friends - mostly girls, met her computer and art teachers, gets to go to the treat box after 3 days on 'green,' shared 5 things about herself with the class, and met lots of the staff on a special new person tour.

All in all, I think they both had a very good first day. Here's to a great school year!

Summer Vacation

Well today was the kids last day of summer vacation. It has been an eventful summer to say the least, but I think they've enjoyed themselves. MariCagle has been saying how much she dreaded going back to school, but she was singing a different tune today after meeting her teacher on Monday night. She had a hard time going to sleep she was so excited. She says she's not nervous at all since she's met her teacher and she seems very nice. When I asked about meeting new friends, she simply said that she only worried about the 'big people.' :) I guess that's a good thing. I was always a little nervous the first day, but more power to her!

Now Nate, as most of you know, is excited all of the time about every little thing, so Kindergarten is much the same as everything else. He too has a very nice teacher and he discovered buckets of legos in her room. Adding to these reasons for excitement is one of the girls next door is going to be in his class. These are just a few of the things that Nate looks forward to tomorrow.

We tried to make the last day a little special. MariCagle and I had a girls day and we went to get a her hair cut and out to lunch. (McDonalds, ofcourse - give them a free choice, any restaurant, and it still comes to Mickey D's!) Nate and Brandon had their own boys day with lunch out, a trip to Lowes and work on the new playhouse. And ofcourse both MC and Nate enjoyed playing with the neighborhood kids sharing popsicles and all kinds of fun.

One of our neighbors was looking to get rid of their swing set so we gladly obliged. MariCagle and Nate really enjoy it.

Nothing says summer fun like popsicles. We have them much more frequently now that we have a patio where I can send them to to eat the frozen treats.

Brandon's summer vacation just began after his last class this past Friday. I'd like to say he's been relaxing and taking it easy, but he has been on a home improvement rampage. He's put up new trim, painted shutters, built a mantle, installed new bathroom fans, and several other smaller projects. His latest is updating and adding on to the playhouse outside for the kids. Below is a picture of the new mantle complete with wiring for the TV to be delivered soon. Check out that handywork!

Stay tuned for first day of school highlights and the completed playhouse. I know you're on the edge of your seats! :)

Georgia on My Mind

We're back from our visit to Georgia. For being there only a week, we sure had a lot of fun. We were able to spend time with both sides of the family and see dear friends. It was a fantastic trip...see for yourself...

We enjoyed time on the lake, icees, Charlie Joseph's and best of all, fun hanging with all the family at Nana and Pa's (we sure did miss James and his folks though)...

Nate's not much on speed in the tube. We were already going as slow as the boat can and as you can tell, he's signaling Pa to slow down. :)

MariCagle, on the other hand, got more daring.

We made a side trip to see Quinn, Payton, Uncle Britton and Aunt Kim where the kids' imaginations ran wild. The girls enjoyed playing fairies (this is the part where Nate especially missed Hudson)...

and we visited a very cool children's museum where they had a kid-sized 'neighborhood' set up with grocery store, restaurant, bank, post office, doctor's office, dentist, you name it, they had it. It was very cool as is Aunt Kim for taking us!

Nate really enjoyed the ATM, and the fact that it gave you play money didn't keep him from going back again and again.

I think MariCagle enjoyed the beauty shop the best. She enjoyed being the customer as well as the beautician.

At Grammy and PopPop's we got to see most of the Tyre clan and had a fun spend-the-night play date with Aunt Marguerite's great granddaughter, Mychael. They also enjoyed relaxing in the hot tub and an early birthday celebration for MC.

So as you can see, our week was as packed with fun and family as this post is with pictures! Thanks everyone for hanging out with us and making our trip very special. We had such a great time!! And we want to be sure and send our prayers and well wishes to Uncle Newman as he's enjoying his last days of R&R before heading back to Iraq! We are so glad we got to spend time with you and we'll be looking forward to your more permanent return! Hugs and kisses to everyone.

On A Jet Plane....

MariCagle and Nate rode on their first airplane this week. We made our first flight to Georgia arriving safely in Atlanta to visit family for a week. They did a great job getting through security and navigating through busy Hartsfield. They were adorable in their backpacks pulling their luggage along traipsing through the airport. Quite the jetsetters.

I think Nate's favorite part was the coke and pretzels. MariCagle wondered where the Care Bears were as it was her understanding that they lived on top of the clouds. I did my best to explain that they probably lived on clouds even higher than the ones we were flying through. Sweet innocence!!

Overall, it was easy traveling, but knock on wood as we make our return flight next week. :) We're looking forward to seeing nearly all of our family and friends, especially Uncle Newman who's home from Iraq!

Always the hams especially when bored with all the waiting.