Soccer Season

Brielle wanted to take soccer.  She loved the Dinomites program again.  There was a huge difference between her ability and motivation this time around.  There was no parent involvement this season.  She completed her "drills" alone and got a lot better.  She also loved it and looked forward to class each week.  She isn't a fan of hitting the ball off her head, but she loved running, kicking, warming up, playing red light/green light, "planting trees", etc.

  

Conversation of the Day

You need to pick up your make-up.

Um...well I can't get it.  Can you do it?

No.

I can't do it.

If you do not pick up your make-up, I'm going to throw it in the trash.

Oh.  Ok.  Can you help me?

No.  You were the one who got it out.

But Mommy...it's always nice to help others.

Touche.  :) 

We love you clever girl.

Aminals

Brielle's ability to communicate has always been very good.  She speaks clearly for the most part.

However, she has one word that cracks me up.

Aminals.  Aminal.

I'm sure one day she will go on an animal hunt. 

Right now, she goes on many aminal hunts.
It's pretty cute.

Thai Night

We tried some new food Friday night.  We were going to go out to eat, but couldn't decide where to go.  We decided to go back to one our favorite places prior to Brielle.  We didn't know how it would go, but it turned out to be a good experience.  Brielle tried edamame and crab rangoon.  She did have chicken nuggets for dinner, so that wasn't the most authentic.  It was a great night to try something new!

First Dentist Visit

Brielle went to the dentist for the first time yesterday.  We didn't pick a "kid dentist".  We just went with Grant's regular dentist.  I was expecting a big morning, but in typical Brielle fashion it was like any other morning.  She was perfect in the chair.  She loved getting her teeth cleaned.  She was ecstatic to get a new princess toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and pick a prize.  She picked a pink sand timer.  The dentist said it was perfect for timing how long you should brush your teeth.  Brielle informed me that she uses a sand timer at school when she is making tea, so now she can make tea the right way at home.  Brielle's teeth are in good shape, so we'll see the dentist in six months!  

ORM Fall Party

Oaks Ridge Meadows Fall Party

Our neighborhood had the annual fall party last Sunday.  It was at the elementary in our subdivision where Brielle will go to school.  She loves her new playground and can't wait to go to kindergarten.  I'm pretty sure she thinks it is only for kindergartners, but that's ok.  She ran into her friend, Gus, at the party.  We met his parents and learned that we only live a few streets away. Brielle and Gus played on the playground, danced to Disney Live, posed with KC Wolf, went on a hayride, and decorated pumpkins together.  The only thing Brielle wouldn't do with Gus is jump in the bounce house.  She is not a fan.  :)

Exploring the new playground.

Dancing with Disney Live Radio 

KC Wolf...just like the new pillow pet 

Gus and Brielle 

    

100 Years of Homecoming

It was the 100th Mizzou Homecoming this year!  And it was fantastic!

Homecoming started on Friday night with the Rapps.  We met in Greektown to see the house decorations.  It was extremely crowded this year.  We could hardly find parking.  We did get to see some amazing house decs and hear the pep rally from a far distance.  Brielle, Max, and Molly loved dancing to the music, eating kettle corn, and just being silly.

In a castle...

Cheese!

The conversation over kettle corn was very entertaining. 

Dancing while waiting for the next show. 

Theta!!!!!! 

We were going to go to the parade, but 8:30 on a Saturday morning is very early to get three kids and two adults out the door.  Maybe next year...  We started tailgating with Uncle Jake, Grandma, Papa, Ben, Julie, Nick, Liz, Nate, Sarah, Shook, Shook's parents, Uncle Bart, Aunt Liz, and so many more family and friends.  We ate some delicious burgers and mouth watering cookies.  Brielle stayed with Grandma during the game.  They went to Cosmo Park and played.  Grant and I went to Booches to meet friends and then went back to the family tailgate. 

Only kid at the tailgate :)

Trying for a family picture...

Brielle played with her new KC Wolf pillow pet during the tailgate.  She is the only kid, so it can be lonely at times.  However, she convinced (didn't take much) Grant that she needed KC Wolf for the trip and he did come in handy!

Ben and Julie with Brielle

After the tailgate, we went back to the Rapps for a bonfire.  Again, Brielle, Max, and Molly had the time of their life playing together.  They played house, watched Dora, chased Uncle Keith, and the list goes on. 

Funny Conversation between Brielle and Max:
Brielle - Who do you want to marry when you grow up Max?
Max - I don't want to grow-up and get married.  That's too much work.

We can't wait for the 101st homecoming!

Fashionista

Brielle picks her own clothes.  I'm trying to be OK with this.  Here is a good idea of what she wears/would wear on a  daily basis. 

Who doesn't need a life jacket and helmet? 

Chocolate Cake

Does Brielle like chocolate cake (or any dessert)?

Answer:  YES!!!!!

Pumpkin Patch Round 2

Grant and Brielle went to another pumpkin patch with Brielle's preschool.  They were able to make apple cider, bought apple butter, rode a hayride, and picked the perfect pumpkin.  She was even able to ride on the hayride by herself with her friend Sophie.  Big girl! 

Grant is a great dad!  Thanks for going on Brielle's first field trip!

Pumpkin Patch Fun

October is the perfect time for a pumpkin patch or...two.  Our first pumpkin patch outing was to Caroline's Pumpkin Patch.  We had a family outing that began with a picnic.  Grant and I forgot how surprisingly delicious a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that was made hours before could be.  The pumpkin patch was incredibly busy, but we were able to hit all of the hot spots - animal feeding, hay maze, tractor ride, hay ride, slides, pirate ship, pumpkin princess, and of course picking the perfect pumpkin.

Feeding a donkey

Feeding the goats

Riding a "tractor"

Hayride

Perfect pumpkin!!!!!

  

Sophie's Birthday Party

Brielle was actually invited to her best buddy Sophie's birthday party.  She has been talking about a party, but there was no official invite until last week.  The girls had discussed many elaborate plans and alas there was a party.

It was a lot of fun.  The party was filled with presents, cookie cake, dancing to Kesha, wearing your best friend's shoes, running from scary boys, hiding in the castle, screaming playing in Sophie's bedroom, admiring Justin Bieber, and not wanting to say goodbye.  Happy 4th birthday Sophie!

Way too bright for a picture! 

"Camping"

We had a blast 'camping' with our friends.  By camping, I mean we drove to the site, played, ate, and hung-out with our friends.  Then we drove home and slept in our beds.  That's my kind of camping!

Brielle had the best time with her buddies John, Jenna, and Sophia.  They all play so well together.  It's a hoot to listen to their conversations and stories.  

Princess Party

This was our first year to attend the Stand Up Blue Springs Princess Party.  Wow - is all I can say!  Brielle and I arrived at 12:30.  I figured we would leave around 2:00.  We left at 4:05.  It closed at 4:00.

Getting ready.  Brielle applied every hair product I own to the top of her head.  It was quite a look! 

We're here! 

Ava and Brielle...pretty princesses! 

Brielle and the 'real' princesses. 

Mesmerized by the Little Mermaid and all of the other princesses. 

Dance party with Jenna! 

Every princess needs some sparkle!   

Brielle loved getting her nails done.  She picked pink of course.   

Making her royal cookie.  She had to lick the knife. 

Brielle made this crown and then had if fitted to her royal head. 

She concentrated very hard to make her bracelet.   

Posing with the sugar plum fairy. 

Brielle had a blast learning about taking care of her teeth at the Sparkle Smile Academy.  She learned about sugary foods, how to brush, and she worked on this lucky guy's teeth. 

Even princesses get tired.