A visit from the Tooth Fairy

Brett lost another tooth today. Now we have no front teeth!

Tomorrow, we're off on our vacation to Branson. Stay tuned for updates!

More fun in the sun

Casey practicing his cannonball

The Fabulous Miss Lauryn

Kathryn chillin'

Kurt goes for it

Casey and Jeff play catch

We've really had a busy weekend full of fun in the sun. Today we went to Jeff and Kathryn's house after our softball game and swam in their pool.

The Jeff and Kurt jumped off the diving board while Dan tried to throw them a ball (check out the funny poses). Casey even learned how to do a cannonball off the diving board today.

We're all pretty red after our weekend of swimming, but it was a lot of fun!

Summer fun

I love this photo of Brett, Casey and Tanner from our neighborhood picnic/pool party.

Water park playdate

Brett, wiping out. Whoa!

Logan on the waterslide

Caleb

Logan takes a walk

Brett

Casey playing in the fountain

Today, I took Brett and Casey to the Northwest YMCA's water park. We had a playdate with Brett's friend Logan and his brother Caleb.

It was plenty hot, and the boys had lots of fun playing in the water.

Brett and Logan's favorite thing was the water slide. Unfortunately, Casey wasn't tall enough to ride. Boy, was he mad! :)

Drive-in fun

The gang watching the movie

Brett

Casey playing with his light stick

Our new Friday night fun activity is going to the drive-in. Tonight we saw Evan Almighty and Surf's Up. We can't stay awake long enough to watch the third movie!

Casey and Dan fell asleep during Surf's Up, much to Casey's disappointment. Oh well, it really wasn't that good anyway! :)

Scenes from a baseball game

Brett waits to get back out on the field

Casey and Suzanne pass the time

Carson at bat

Tonight the Blue Sharks won their game. Brett didn't make it on base, but he still had fun. As for Casey, he always finds a way to entertain himself.

Mmmm! Popcorn!

Snacks at the game are great!

Popcorn buddies

Casey, Josh, and Suzanne had a special treat at Brett and Carson's baseball game last night--popcorn!

Blogging is cool

In Denise's column yesterday, she talks about all her friends who blog and mentions that I encouraged her to start her own.

Check it out at this address: http://www.kansas.com/164/story/102256.html

All Star Sports

Me and the boys

Brett takes a swing

No, hold it this way...

Whee!

Casey and Cassie, the birthday girl

Today we spent the afternoon at All Star Sports. Casey was
invited to a birthday party there, and Dan and I took Brett
to have some fun too.

The kids got to ride a few rides and we played miniature golf.

Casey even got a golf lesson from Dan. I still don't think he knows how to hold the putter. :)

Croquet Party

Me and Dan

Garden girls Jill, Denise and Chris

Travis, Dan and Nick playing croquet

Travis, Denise, Nick, me and Dan

The great lawn at the Bartlett Arboretum

Saturday night was the annual croquet party, a fund-raiser for the Bartlett Arboretum in Belle Plaine.

As you can see, everyone wears white. There is a great fried chicken dinner, drinks and lots of socializing.

I love the contrast between the greenery of the arboretum and everyone dressed in white.

Blue Sharks...don't ask

Well, tonight we were outmatched by a team of second graders who have been playing machine-pitch baseball for two years.

Brett was 0 for 2 at the plate. He put the first one in play but was thrown out at first and struck out his second time at the plate.

As you can see, he got to play catcher--not his favorite position.

Other team 7, Blue Sharks 2

Brett covering third base

Well, it wasn't such a great night for the Blue Sharks.

Brett got on base with his only at bat, but he was stranded on first. He also played third base and got someone out. Not bad for a kid who has been sick for most of this week.

Better luck next time!

Wii!

This morning, Dan and I surprised the boys with a new Wii video game system. Actually, it's a late Christmas present from my mom, but we haven't been able to find one until now.

As you can see, Brett and Casey are pros already.

I pray our new TV survives the excitement and no one throws the controller into the screen!

Report Card Day

Brett proudly showing off the fruits of his labor

Well, it's report card day in the Loving house. Brett did really well this quarter; all 4s (except for 3s in the dreaded handwriting category!). For those of you not familiar, in elementary school the grade scale is 1 through 4, with 4 being the highest.

He started the year reading below a first grade level and now he's reading at a high second grade level.

Way to go!

To celebrate, we're going to see Shrek 3 tonight.