The Patterson Family: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Birthdays, Birthdays!

We had fun at IJump on Saturday helping our friend William celebrate his 6th Birthday. His family lives in our subdivision, and Henry and William are both in kindergarten at the same school. I think a good time was had by all on Saturday morning!

My boys showing off their muscles before church.

This afternoon we went to a birthday party complete with a magic show for a friend at church named Cayden. We were thankful for this fun activity on a rainy Sunday afternoon. (I definitely slacked on the pictures at this party. Henry pinched his wrist, and I had him in my lap for a chunk of the party!)

Soccer....season 6 or 7??

I have lost count now of how many seasons Henry has been playing. I guess I need to look back on the blog or go count his trophies. Nonetheless, we were happy to be back on the soccer fields this past weekend. Henry is especially enjoying his team since they group you by school. He already knew all of his teammates! They are having a good time, although I can tell it is starting to get more competitive and skills are starting to show up in some players more so than others. It is really turning into a game and not just an "activity."

Grace and Grant went to visit Henry on the bench. Of course at this moment I had just changed from my zoom lens to the other lens and couldn't get an up close shot!

Grace and Grant find funny ways to entertain themselves on the sidelines. (Do you like Grace's outfit? She decided a leotard complete with ballet skirt was the perfect thing to wear to a soccer game. If you know Grace, then you know this is a battle not worth fighting. She will win! My little diva has some unique fashion sense and does not care for anyone's input!!)

Kindergarten Nursery Rhyme Day

Henry had a great time at his Kindergarten Nursery Rhyme Performance. Each class performed a nursery rhyme set to music at Gwin's amphitheater, and then they had a breakfast for the kids. I have tried three times to upload the video of Henry's class performing, but apparently the file is too big. Henry was really excited that Mimi and Papa came to watch him perform!

Henry as little boy blue :)

And as an aside for anyone not on Facebook, I must give a shout out to sweet little Grant. The first words I heard this morning while my eyes were still closed were, "Mommy, I love you forever!" I'll love you forever, Grant Patterson! My Friday was made before I'd even opened my eyes today ;) It is truly humbling to think that God entrusted me with these three sweet children.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Eagle Scream Fun Run

Henry's school does one fundraiser each year, and this was it. The kids got sponsors for each lap they ran, up to 40 laps in 20 minutes. They all get free matching race shirts, and they looked so cute as they introduced each class to let them run on the field! They don't have a final tally on how much money will be raised until the fun run is complete, but they are hoping to raise about $35,000 in one morning I think. 100% goes to the school. Each teacher gets a check for her classroom, and then they also make some big purchases for the entire school each year depending on what is on their agenda.

There was a radio station there as the DJ. They played fun music while the kids ran and had them do fun stuff like fly like eagles, do the chicken dance, and skip around!

We marked their bibs until they got to 40!

End of the run silly pic with mom! Henry was excited that he completed all 40 laps!

All the kids ran around a big circle (sort of on the "infield" of their track). Each tent had two corporate sponsors, and each class had a separate tent. It kept water and bib marking very organized!

The run is complete! Time for water and then heading back to class! I'd say Henry's first Eagle Scream Run was a success!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Fun Times with Neighbors!

On Saturday morning, David decided to take the kids to the park. Emme had dance, but Taylor was able to go with them to the park. After lunch when Jason came to get Taylor, he took all three of ours back for more play time at their house. The kids had a ball. Grace actually told me yesterday that she would like to have her birthday party at Emme's house. Emme was super flattered to find out that her house trumps IJump, McWane, the Zoo, etc., as the coolest place in town to have a party! Kristie & I got a good laugh out of it. Don't worry, Kristie, I won't actually make you throw Grace's next birthday party for us!

These two little divas have way too much in common!

(Disregard the fact that Henry has recently learned how to make an "L" over people's heads for losers. Don't you love what kids pick up at school?!?!?)

Taylor & Henry having fun as always!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Henry's First Pep Rally

When the PTO invited us to the Eagle Scream Pep Rally, I was not sure what to expect other than Gwin's mascot is an Eagle. I really had no idea what I was attending as a newbie kindergarten mom! It turns out it was not a pep rally for sports with cheerleaders and a band, it was a pep rally about raising money at Gwin's one and only fundraiser, which is next week. Basically the kids get pledges for each lap they run, up to 40 laps, and the school keeps the money. There are various prizes like a gumball machine, a magic show, etc, for different levels of pledges. If Henry can raise $250, he gets to ride in the Hoover Police Department's Porsche with the police lights on (driven by a Hoover Police Officer, of course.) Needless to say, the kids are REALLY excited. The parents go next week--we all get matching shirts & help mark bibs for the kids laps--fun music plays, etc. It is apparently a very big deal at Gwin. The parents and teachers put on a hilarious pep rally complete with skits, dances, slideshows, and music to get the kids fired up and also explain how the fundraiser works. My only fear: being on PTO means that one year I may be one of these crazy moms dancing for the kids at the Eagle Scream Pep Rally. (Perhaps zumba will prepare me for this! HA!)

So, without further adieu....here are some pretty funny videos and pics of teachers and parents being really silly for a good cause:) (The dances involve a mom dressed up as an eagle scream runner and a mom dressed up as the ultimate Hoover fan, which is why she's decked out in orange and black.)

This crazy dad was decked out for the Eagle Scream Run and had the kids laughing!

I just added this pic as an aside--there is an entire wall in their gym that is a rock climbing wall. How fun is that? We didn't do fun stuff like that in PE when I was a kid! I just remember playing dodgeball and four square!

Henry is holding an MVP ticket. He was awarded the MVP award in PE today, which is given to one student each day. (There are three kindergarten classes in PE at a time.) He said he got it for being an encourager and telling his friends, "Good job!" The four MVP's each week get to play on the Wii on Friday during PE, so he is super proud and excited!

Friday, September 14, 2012

And Last But Not Least....Disney World Part 5

Grant did not take off the mouse ears after they were purchased. Thanks, Nana & Papa, for the souvenirs!!

Grace enjoyed the cast members not dressed up as characters.

I cannot tell you how many times we rode teacups.

This is at the end of Buzz Lightyear. We probably rode it at least five times. The kids loved it and there was NO waiting!!

This little buddy was all tuckered out as we drove home from the airport. And yes, he wore his Mickey Ears home from Disney as well!

Disney World Part 4

We loved meeting up with Ginger, Matt and Pierce for the parade on Monday night!

The Disney "cast members" (aka employees) are amazing. They played "Mikey Says" with our kids and entertained them with hoola hoops while we waited on the parade to start.

Chef Mickey's for breakfast is of course probably the best character meal on the property....and it did not disappoint! :)

I love this pic because it documents Grace so well--hiding her face when she saw characters! At least she didn't scream and disrupt the entire restaurant...that is an improvement!