Dancing with the stars...in the RAIN

We pile everyone in the car for Gavin's fall ball games each week.  Sometimes fun for the family, sometimes not.  This time Jason was out of town so Barb didn't have a choice but to take everyone.  We met Grandma Patti there and took our seats on the bleachers.  About 3 minutes before the game started, the rain drops started. Within 10 minutes it was a full down pour!  Most parents and kids were hiding in the dugout trying to stay dry.

Not the Hendricks!  Rain often translates to dance party in our world. Why not?  It's only rain, and God made it so it must be good, right?  Plus the mud that we all end up covered in comes off in the shower.  Needless to say, we were the last ones to leave the ballpark.

Good times.  Making memories.

Big girl goes to school

We still call her baby Lola, but she's far from that.  She's MORE than ready for preschool, but her age doesn't allow her in yet.  She'll definitely be the top of her class in years to come.  In the meantime she'll continue learning through play and enjoying friends and teachers.  Lola goes to a Kids Day Out program once a week all day long at Kids Place at Grace (where we also attend church, Grace United Methodist Church).  The staff is absolutely amazing.  She loves going on Tuesdays with Liam, and is a bit disappointed when she doesn't get to go on the other days.  She will soon get used to special days with Grandpa Patti and push school to the curb.

First day of Pre-K

How did our little peanut get to Pre-Kindergarten?  Now he's the big brother.  He loves going to school, loves that some old friends are in his class again and that he gets to make some new ones.  And his teacher from last year is the aid in his class again this year.  More pictures to come from his Friday adventures.  But this Pre-K class is 2 full days a week, and he'll be pumped up and ready to go for Kindergarten next year.

First Day of First Grade

Yes there are a lot of kids out there that love school, but Gavin might take the cake!  He LOVES school.  Of course if you ask him he will say that PE, recess, and lunch are his favorite subjects.  He might take after mom, school = social awesomeness! 

His teacher this year is Mrs. Downing.  He has been very disappointed that he didn't get to have Mrs. Kufeldt (Kindergarten teacher) again.  A few days in now and I think he's adjusting just fine.  Of course there isn't a sole we haven't crossed paths with that Gavin doesn't like.

Happy First Grade kiddo!  Hope it's a great one, we know it will be.

G-man's 7th Birthday Party

Traditionally we have birthday dinner and dessert of the birthday person's choice.  On your 6th, 12th, and 18th birthday you get the "party" of your choice.  Last year Gavin had the Lego extravaganza and loved every minute of it.

As the summer got hotter and hotter thinking about having  dinner with the oven, stoves, people, etc. in the house just didn't sound appealing this year.  So rather than dinner we skipped right to Gavin's favorite thing - DESSERT!  Sure we had the traditional cake of choice for the family, but we also had a Hawaiian ice truck to help celebrate with the neighborhood and attempt to stay cool. 

All you can eat frozen ice and pure sugar syrup...does it get any better?  We topped that off with a 500 balloon water balloon fight.  Great day bud, glad we got to celebrate another wonderful year of life with you!

Fearless Liam

Our second trip to the ER with our little peanut.  His head is a magnet for accidents.  That's okay, scars are cool.  And now he has one on each side to even it out.

He has managed to avoid stitches each time though.  And nothing a little cuddle time with dad, raspberry slurpie, and lego's can't fix (plus the magic glue from Children's Mercy Hospital).  He's back to normal now and ready for his next adventure...which will more than likely happen with a bicycle.