What Spies Do At Spy School

IIn case you have ever wondered how spies learn their craft, I discovered this on the white board iin my very own office.Happy Reading.

Belt Test Day

Jenna started taking Taekwando awhile back, and was finally ready to belt test. (She was hoping for a "pink belt", but settle for "black stripe")
Here she is stretching out and warming up... Here is her show-off little brother also stretching out.
Ouch.

Here are her "forms"...very focused (and cute, I might add.)

Finally, the big moment: The Breaking Of the Board!
Daddy held the board steady for her. It took her a few tries to get the momentum up. We told her to picture Wyatt's face on the board, and BAM...broken.

Look out, world!

Halloween/Fall Party

We had a few friends (ok, like, 15) come carve pumpkins on a Friday night. We only brought 2, but somehow we ended up with 6 on our porch....are they like Gremlins, multiplying when they get wet? We had a perfect night for the Official Candy Grab Event.
Here's Cleopatra (the blond one...)

And a very scary Ninja....Look. Out.

Labor Day

Over Labor Day, we went to Big Cedar Lodge near Branson. If you ever have the chance to go, do it!
Here's the sunset over the hot tub. We sat in the hot tub and watched fireworks a not long after this photo was shot. We rented a boat and went out on Table Rock Lake. Isn't' Aaron manly?
We were thinking of using this for our Christmas Card photo, but I'm going to spoil it for you now. Don't we look happy? And chilly? It was the first cool day of a miserable summer and we got to wear sweatshirts...happy day!

So I'm a little behind on blogging...I know, I know, you have really missed me.
I'm going to send out a few little ones to speed you up!
HEre's the first day of school, just 3 short months ago.
Wyatt started First grade, all day (yeah, lunch and recess!), and Jenna began Fourth grade.
They've already gotten their first report cards...they both talk alot, but "are a pleasure to have in class..."
Talk? Or COMMUNICATE? Come on, people, its a life skill!

My Daughter: A Photo Commentary

I noticed this on the driveway today, written by my first-born leader.
My first born, who, when you say "Don't cross this line" will put one toe over the line and ask "you mean this line?"
My first born, who would like to know all the rules, so she can make sure everyone follows them. Except her...she's exempt.
My first born, who feels safe with boundaries, mostly so that she can use her creative little mind to think of all the things that can fall JUUUUST inside said boundary.

We had some kids over a few days ago who kept getting closer and closer to the street, so I drew a chalk line as a reminder.
Jenna couldn't resist an editing opportunity, and put her own line that COULD be crossed.

Water emersion

Wyatt Baptism 2

The Bravest Child...

*Warning: This Post Contains Blood-Not for the Faint of Heart*

For the first time, Aaron and I attempted separate, overlapping trips out of town last weekend. I left on Friday to go wedding dress shopping in Dallas with my sister (a whole other story), and he left Sunday for Phoenix.

Our brave little college sitter did an over-night for us. (We normally would have the in-laws keep them, but Aaron's mom is recovering from her Christmas Eve hip-breaking episode...a whole other story!)

Her "shift" began with a futile cat hunt. (See, Aaron and the kids got a new kitten (why we had to get a new kitten is also a whole other story) from the pound, and it disappeared within 10 minutes of being home. He assumed it was in the house, but had no idea where.) He finally appeared on Monday morning after nearly 48 hours of hiding.

Then, as the kids were walking to school, Jenna fell and landed ON HER FACE.Fortunately, our sitter played softball growing up and saw lots of boo-boos, so she kept her cool. She said Jenna went down and when she came up, blood was gushing from her mouth.

After school, when I picked the kids up, I saw the "Blood Puddle" on the asphalt. That's alot of my kid's blood out there, people.

So my sitter calls and I"m in Dallas. She says, "I think she might need stitches." I think "This is why I NEVER LEAVE TOWN ALONE!!!!" So I called the school and asked if we have a school nurse (we do!), so they went to see her. My neighbor also swung by to help manage the chaos. Jenna went on to class with an ice pack and the nurse kept an eye on her all day. After the initial shock, she never said it hurt, or even complained.

The good news: my sitter came back on Wednesday.

The better news: Jenna is the fastest healing kids ever, and her lip is almost back to normal today...whew!