An October birthday in September...

is exactly how Miles's 8th birthday party played out this year.  Although he's not technically 8 yet (October 17), we had his party about a month early.  Why, you ask (pssst, read the invitation)? We (and by 'we', I mean me and Miles) had been kicking around a few different ideas for his birthday.  We talked about an indoor pool party at Sleep Inn, Ralphie's Fun Center in Glasgow, Sky Jump in Nashville and the possibility of renting the "famous" water slide we had at church camp this year.  He loved the idea of the water slide.  However, we about FROZE at Chaney's Dairy Barn last year for his October birthday.  I knew waiting until October wouldn't be an option if we went with the slide.  My sweet parents volunteered their home to host the party - and a plan was put into action.  We set a date, invitations were made, cake and slide were reserved, and the party happened last Saturday, which was gorgeous!  I was a bit worried about the weather because it was in the low 60's the weekend before, burrrr! 

Our birthday boy with his great uncle and great grandmother.

"Some" of the party crew in front of the slide. I normally try to cap birthday party guests because many venues require it, but this year was an exception.  I think we had over 35 guests (parents and children) come celebrate his birthday with us.

Shout out to Matt and Stephanie Palmer and Vette City Inflatables for making our little boy super happy!  I'm pretty sure it made everyone happy - the kids all had a blast on the slide!

Soaking up a beautiful Saturday spent with family and friends - I can't think of a better way to welcome fall!  Pizza and Sunkist help too!

I don't think there are many desserts better than a cookie cake.  Can I get an amen?  The Cookie Store is the best place to order one too.  I showed the owner my "theme", she asked me to text her the picture, and viola a cookie cake covered in icing was provided.  I think there were only about 2-4 small slivers left by the end of the party.  In fact, people were asking me where I'd gotten the cake it was so yummy.

 

Basketball, Cornhole, Volleyball and games with friends!

Opening up all his gifts. Fortunately, Miles's true birthday falls on a Friday this year.  I'm sure we will have a smaller "party" with family on his actual birthday.  Having two children with October birthdays back to back can sometimes be a tricky (and expensive) thing but not this year.  Thankful for my precious little 8 year old, and that we could celebrate a little early.  No complaints from him =)!

Hot Diggity Isaac & Hot-Cross Buns

Isaac had a big day yesterday.  When I got home from work, he was grinning ear to ear and told me had had been accepted into STLP which is an acronym for Student Technology Leadership Program.  He was hesitant about signing up at the beginning of the year, but I encouraged him to do it.  Isaac is our "tech" boy, and I hope he will further his education in the realm of computers, software design, or something of that nature.  He'd be the perfect fit for it.  In order to be accepted into the program, you have to be an intermediate student and submit a letter about why you would like to participate.

His letter:

Karson has also wanted to participate in years past, but I have discouraged her from it.  The are three reasons behind my madness - (1) she is already over committed to many after school activities, from sports, academic team, leadership team and the list goes on  (2)  since she is already a leader in the school, it is important to let other students have the opportunity to display their leadership qualities (3) I secretly wanted Isaac to have something that is 'his' where he isn't in her shadow and can operate independently.

Although I am excited about STLP, Isaac received another very important letter yesterday where he was accepted into the school's SUMMIT program.  Isaac was selected by Ms. Lasala for the Primary Talent Pool at Plano his 2nd grade year - which essentially identifies students as gifted, and that they may qualify for extra services outside the classroom (as needed).  The SUMMIT selection is based on test scores for children exiting the primary grades and covers a wide range of mental ability and also gives children the opportunity to participate in the weekly pull-out program.  Isaac is incredibly smart.  He got all A's on his first mid-term report (half the quarter).  I'm excited he will have this opportunity.

He was beaming all day!  However, his beam started fading with recorder practice last night. In 4th grade, the kids are trained on their recorders.  Each student is expected to practice at least five minutes daily (a long five minutes for many parents).  They earn belts for each song they master.  Isaac has been trying his best to learn the song "Hot Cross Buns" which is the first belt (white).  Last night, he got super frustrated with it and at one point started crying in his pillow.

I told him not to let Hot Cross Buns ruin his great day!  We are very proud of Isaac and his exceptional achievements!

Fast and Furious kind of August

We are month into school, and it is moving as quickly as I anticipated.  It's still hard to believe that this Karson's last year at Plano.  She is still participating in 212 Academy which meets one day a week for high ability 5th and 6th graders.  This year Plano is meeting on Thursdays with groups from Rockfield and Lost River.

I love seeing all the documentation each week on the school's website and am thankful Karson has this opportunity.  

Karson said they were conducting taste tests (salt water, chocolate cocoa, citric acid, and other things).

Plano was the first Warren County school to win the Poppy Leadership Award which took place in the school gym on September 2. Karson is holding the 'H'.

 (More information about the event)

WBKO, an ABC affiliate, has partnered with Flora Templeton Stuart, Attorney at Law to launch a leadership event with Poppy to recognize schools who have empowered students to lead, learn, excel and serve our community. The chosen school and students will be recognized for outstanding achievement. All schools in south central Kentucky from grades K - 12 will have the opportunity to be recognized for empowering their students to lead by reaching their full potential in academics, sports, arts, and community service.

Winning schools will be entered in a Grand Prize Drawing at the end of the contest period. The selected school will receive a $2,000 check to be used to promote leadership activities and/or ‘Leader in Me’ initiatives and programs.

Miles loves GOLF these days.  He wants to go play putt putt, go to the driving range or better yet, play at Crosswinds with his dad everyday.  He has a set of clubs, but I think his little red golf glove "sets his outfit OFF".  I spent last Thursday night at Otte Golf for about two hours.  Who knew a small bucket of balls could last that long?!?  

I walked into Isaac's room to wake him up one morning and this is what I found.  Have I mentioned that I think Isaac is the most like me?  I used to believe all of my stuffed animals and dolls came to life at night.  I have a feeling he thinks the same thing.  Looks like a party under the bunk bed.

Isaac and Miles dressing up for STAR testing day - the theme was "Rock It Out".  While retrieving the wig and tattoo sleeves, I grabbed a couple of severed fingers from our Halloween bins to stash in lunch boxes (below).

Karson and friends at Abby Kate's tea party two weeks ago.  Pinkies up!

Volleyball has consumed most of Karson's free time which is good because she doesn't do well with sitting around.  In fact, she had one night off this week and was NO fun to be around.  The girls likes being busy and on-the-move and complains when she isn't occupied.  I'm pretty sure that is what teenage years do even though she's always been like that.  Wonder if it's too early to find her a part time job?

Even though she isn't in middle school, I am thankful that she has had all this "exposure" to middle school.  Transitions are hard at that age, and she has made so many 7th grade friends, learned how to use a locker, been exposed to middle school "talk" (hah) and is quite acclimated to SWMS.

Photobooth fun!

Her friend (7th grade buddy) Madelyn spent the night with us last weekend.  I took the girls to Fazoli's and the mall.  Trying on dresses would have been right up my alley at Madelyn's age, but for my Karson, not so much.  Karson + shopping + fashion = torture for me.  I think she had fun but continually heard her saying in the dressing room…can I just put my clothes back on?  I'm sure there will come a point where she enjoys clothes and being girly, guess I should count my blessings that time hasn't come yet.  Madelyn also joined us at Nolin Lake for Labor Day weekend.  We spent the day on the lake tubing, swimming and snacking.

Madelyn also caught a fish and sadly none of us girls knew how to unhook it.
My sister Shannon finally freed it.

We got to see Xclaim's production of Peter Pan last Sunday at Vanmeter.  It was a treat seeing Karson's friend Mallory as the lead and flying all over the stage.  Isaac's buddy Gunnar was one of the lost boys (he's close to the center of the picture below).

Debbie and I were able to get away to Memphis towards the end of August to hear Beth Moore at Living Proof Live.  It's always a treat hearing her speak.  It was my third time seeing her, and I am always moved by her message.  Our trip was quick, but we did manage to eat lunch at The Peabody, visit Sun Studio, the Lorraine Motel and Graceland.  

 

 Whew, it seems like August was fast and furious, probably because it was!  I imagine September will be even quicker!