Wednesday, August 24, 2022

End of Summer

 The day after we picked up the kids, we went to a KC Current game with Briley's soccer team.  They are currently fourth in the league, and have been undefeated the last 11 games.  The kids all had a good time watching them.

I took the kids to Top Golf that following Tuesday for our adventure of the week.  We tried to do one fun activity a week this summer.  I told Andy this summer felt so different than when they were younger.  We made no trip to Deanna Rose, and we went to one park all summer long.  Briley was absent from a lot of our outings, as she worked so many hours at the pool.  

Andy raced in the Matt Mason Triathlon.  He has ran this race several times, and didn't sign up until the last moment.  He is glad he did, because he won!  He was very excited to have done as well as he did after the knee issues he has had this year.  We are all so proud of him.

Our next weekly adventure was going to Chiefs Training Camp.  Briley was not able to go with us, but the others all enjoyed it.  They train at Missouri Western so we got up early, and drove out there.  It was fun to see the players up close, and Atticus has now decided he loves Edwards-Helaire "Little Man" as he calls him.  They had a fun kids zone that they enjoyed.  We found that Baylor is good at kicking field goals, they did obstacle courses, and a climbing wall.  It was a fun day!

That night, I took Finley and Briley out to dinner, and then we were off to Starlight to see Anastasia.  I thought it was so good!  I loved the music, costumes, and backdrops.  Finley thought some parts were a little scary, but we all agreed it was well done.

Friday night was Finley's first slumber party.  We had eight girls, but only six spent the night.  This was the first for most of them, so it was very exciting.  We went swimming, watched about 30 minutes of a movie, and played a lot of hide and seek.  They are the cutest group of friends.  Andy and I got such a kick out of them.  The best part is they were all asleep by midnight.  

Andy left for New York on Sunday afternoon.  He sent a lot of pictures of new things that they have going up around the city.  He did a little sightseeing, and we now have some new places to check out with Baylor when it's his turn to go.  

We went on our last adventure to the Nelson Atkins last Monday.  We played on the miniature golf course.  Atticus was very frustrated that some of the holes were challenging, and had a bit of a breakdown.  I don't know if golf will be his sport.  The kids also went down to the glass maze.  Baylor told Atticus he should run through it, even though I had warned him not to do that since he got hurt the last time.  Well, he forgot my words and ran into a wall.  I told him that I think it is best that he stops doing that maze.  We also went into the museum as much as they didn't want to.  I took them by Monet's Water Lily, a Van Gogh, Seurat, and the mummy before leaving.  We were in and out in less than 15 minutes.   Small doses of culture at a time, and maybe someday they will appreciate it.

Next up, was meet the teacher that afternoon.  Finley got Ms. Taylor, and Atticus got Ms. Birt.  Both are very excited about the teachers, but they are sad that a lot of their friends were placed in a different class.  I think it is going to be a great year for them, and maybe they will make some new friends.

Baylor went to school for a few hours on Tuesday to meet his teachers, and practice their schedule.  He seems very nervous, but I think he will do well. 

Wednesday morning went very smoothly for the kids.  They packed their lunches the night before, and were ready early.  I ran Baylor to school, and then dropped off Finley at her donut party before taking Atticus to his.  We met up at school for hugs, and they were off.  Big smiles on their faces.  

I picked Baylor up on the first day, and asked how his day went.  He told me someone stole his chromebook out of his locker, so the first day was not good.  I couldn't believe that he lost his chromebook when he had it only 24 hours.  What a way to kick off middle school.  He went in early the next morning to talk to the office.  They checked his locker a little more, and there it was.  It had slipped back behind his things.  He had panicked, and then assumed it was stolen without looking a little more clearly.  Whew.  His days are going much better now, but I do laugh at how similar he is to Andy in middle school.  He takes everything with him so he only has to go to the locker in the morning and after school.  He likes to be first in class.

Andy got home that afternoon, and then found out his Grandpa Mike wasn't doing well so he ended up leaving the next day for Colorado.  It was very spur of the moment, and a little hectic, but he was able to say goodbye to his Grandpa, and that was a blessing.  

He came back on Friday evening while I took Atticus and Briley to Sister Act at Starlight.  It was our last show of the season.  It was cute, but didn't compare to Anastasia.  We left a little early so that we could get to bed for the kids Triathlon the next morning.  

Baylor, Finley, and Atticus competed in the race.  Baylor did an open water swim this year.  He got tired out there, and had to switch to breast stroke, but he did it!  He placed 6th in his 11-14 age group.  Such a big difference between an 11 year old and a 14 year old.  We were so proud of him for doing it.  Finley and Atticus both got 3rd in their age groups.  It was a great morning for them all. 

We then were off to football and soccer for the rest of the day.  It was the first weekend of games, and the beginning of our crazy fall.  I really enjoyed how relaxing our schedule has been this past month.  Not quite ready for it all to start again, but here we go anyway!

Grandpa Mike passed away Saturday evening.  He lived his life in a way that you never thought he would succumb to death.  He was still working up until his stroke, traveling, and remodeling their house.  There was never a slowing down until he was forced to, and we all know he didn't like to rely on others.  He will be missed by so many.  Andy said that while he was out there, he was amazed at all the random people who came to say goodbye.  He said the maintenance guy from his neighborhood in Vegas showed up, guys from the Infinity car dealership, the BMW car dealership, contractors, neighbors, and friends.  He knew so many people, and will be so missed by us all.
























































































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