Cowtown

Look at me...I'm a cowboy!

Making leather necklaces.

Pumping some water.

Feeding Daisy the calf.

Riding in the wagon with Mike, being pulled by Tim and Barney.

We had a little family time this weekend at Cowtown, in downtown Wichita. Geoff and I hadn't been in years, and the kids had never experienced the rough and tumble ways of the old west. The kids had fun imagining what it was like to live way back then, and also doing a leather craft and watching a gun fight. Yeehaw!

Labor Day

Everyone in the jeep.

Landon trying out the levers.

Cousins doing some heavy work!

Our Labor Day weekend started out like none should, which I will post about another time. The kids spent most of the weekend with Nana and Papa. They got to go to the Wingnuts game, have an Oreo party and be lazy (Claire's favorite part)! On Monday, the kids and I went out to Gram and Poppy's to play with Thurston. Unkie took us for a ride in his jeep and to see some construction equipment being used in the fields. It was a nice "distraction" (Claire's word).

Cheer and Football

Geoff and Landon after the first football game.

Claire and her good friends at the cheer performance. (Yes, these girls are in her class...she's either that short or they are that tall!) I have some better pics of these two events, but don't have them on the computer yet.

Last week was an exciting one for both kiddos! Claire participated in a cheer clinic hosted by the Valley Center High School Cheerleaders. She stayed after school all week to learn cheers, a dance and play games with fellow students. She had a blast! The girls were to perform at the football game that Friday night. However, Mother Nature had different plans. Storms rolled in just as the game was beginning and everyone had to be ushered into the gym to wait it out. The girls finally ended up performing their newly acquired skills in the gyms for the people waiting out the storms. It wasn't exactly how they'd pictured it, but it was fun anyway!

Landon had his first flag football game Saturday morning. I cannot begin to describe to you how excited, and nervous, I was! Landon was prepped and ready, clapping his hands and making determined faces with his mouthguard in, which was darling! (He would be so embarrassed if he knew I just posted that!) He played well, even while playing for the other team since they were short players (good sportsmanship). He enjoyed himself too, which is the main objective! This Mommy is excited to see how he progresses through this season!

Gram and Poppy came to watch these two events, and stayed the night in between. That was fun considering we didn't think we'd have them as house guests now that we live in KS! Lucy participated in the cheer clinic, too, which I think made it even more fun for both of them. We are certainly enjoying having those cousins (and aunts and uncles) close by to play with! Nana and Papa were there to watch the cheer clinic too, but had to leave when the rain started to close windows! "This darn Kansas weather!", in the words of Claire!

September

As we were driving to school this morning, I pointed out to the kiddos that it was the first day of September. They were only minimally energetic about this fact, even after I pointed out Hokie football starts, the weather will (hopefully!) start cooling down, and our lives will become more routine. Well, Mommy is excited about all that and more! Landon starts flag football practice tonight, with games following in a couple weeks. Claire starts dance classes with her new competitive company next week. Not to mention all the other things that start to fill up a calendar in the fall! Although I'll miss the spontaneity of summer, I'm ready for the fall schedule!

Other tidbits:

We traveled back to Bentonville last weekend for a good friend's birthday party. We saw lots of other friends and stayed with the Symons' (our old neighbors and good friends) on our whirlwind trip. I didn't realize how much I missed all those Arkansans! It was a fun time, but nice to drive home to Kansas!

A conversation with Landon:

Me: "How was school today?"

Landon: "It was ok. My teacher is mean."

Me: "Mean? How so?"

Landon: "She said it's too hot to go out to recess. I think she just doesn't want to sweat."

Claire has had some issues adjusting to life in Kansas. Geoff and I are at our wit's ends with her more often than not. This morning was no exception. But the girl gave it back to me...

"Mom, I'm trying to work this through, but there is always something else on my mind and I can't ever get past it. We don't get recess the rest of the week because some other kids were being loud. How can I think about being 8 when I am dealing with that?" I guess I'll just have to be patient...

Flight Festival

One of the kids took this picture of the planes.

Watching the truck...

Our family and my parents attended the Wichita Flight Festival Saturday evening. What an amazing show!!!! Landon watched with attentive eyes and an open mouth as planes dipped and circled about him. Some fast, some slow, but all spectacular! Claire enjoyed most of the show, but her lack of attention got the best of her sometimes. The finale was a truck with jet engines that sped across the runway with a wall of fire ignited behind him. It was a great ending!

As a side note, the kids have thoroughly enjoyed having their grandparents within close range. Whether going to The Little Mermaid or driving the golf cart around the neighborhood, the grandparents have been present and accounted for on a regular basis. Both kids have commented about how nice it is to see them without having to travel. Yes, yes it is!

1st Day of School

I can't think of many things more heart-wrenching for this Mommy than letting her children go to school. I don't have control of their actions, the activities they complete are not my creations and I don't get to see their faces after they try and conquer something new. Landon started Kindergarten this year. And granted, it's only half-day, but there are still three hours where he is in a big-kid school and I have no control! This is not what this day is about, however, and these complaints only make me a selfish Mommy. Landon was so excited! After meeting his teacher and seeing his school, he hated having to wait two whole days before he could start (the school did assessments on all the KG students on those days). Landon is very proud of his Star Wars backpack and as we packed it full of supplies, he stated "This bag will hold anything I ever need!". Landon completed the assessments mentioned above with flying colors. His teacher emerged with him after only about 10 minutes and proclaimed that Landon was more than prepared for Kindergarten. Didn't have to tell this Mommy that!!! My heart burst and Landon had a look of satisfaction on his face as he replayed the "easy" questions he was asked.

Daddy and Mommy were both there to walk him in after a McDonalds lunch on his first day. He sat down and smiled that big smile and said "I've got this". My big boy did as the teacher told him, and changed into his PE shoes after he found his desk. When we left the room, he just waved and turned around to face the front of the classroom. No tears, no whining, and only minimal anxiety...it was awesome! Mommy was the total opposite as I drove out of the parking lot, but I was also so proud and just plain happy that Landon was confident enough to not be concerned. That afternoon at pick-up, Claire waited for Landon and as they ran toward each other and embraced, I about started crying again. Another milestone complete, for both of them.

Claire started 3rd grade with a smile and a good attitude. Although that smile turned to tears as soon as we got into the school. She was brave and walked into the classroom she had visited the night before without too much drama. I've tried to imagine myself at 8-years-old, walking in to a new school with all new people and how I might feel. This doesn't conjure up such fabulous feelings. But she did it and made her parents proud!

The Ruby Red Slippers Reappear

Our family are officially Kansans again! I say this statement with joy, relief, sadness and a bit of excitement. Joy because this process has been a long and tiring one. One that was prayed for and then prayed over more often than I could imagine. I feel joy because we are closer to our extended family and that somehow makes me feel safer. Relief, because although I've already vowed not to blog about the endless days of house showings, moving details and just plain anxiety, I am absolutely relieved it is over. It was exhausting and stressful. Sadness is felt in bits and pieces by all of us. We carved a niche for ourselves in Bentonville. I feel guilty saying that we extended our family there, but we did. The kids and I regularly reminisce, and this often turns into tears for what is being missed. But this leads to the excitement of what's to come. New friends, new balls teams and dance groups, new schools and church. And although it's scary, even when you're "home", we all have the excitement of starting something fresh and new. And like I told the kids just this morning..."we are starting over together, and you can't ask for anything better than that".