State Fair 2016

Of course we fit in a trip to the Iowa State Fair in August as well. I think it is a full blown tradition now and we will be sad some day when the kids are busy working or at band/sports camp and can't attend.

We saw all the usual things, we kind of wander around until we have tried all the foods we want to try, seeing the animals and sights in between. 

 I liked this succulent display behind Dallas

 Iowa State University booth is always a fun stop

 Noelle got to help with the quilt-a-thon (behind the scenes, handing out candy to the sewers on the hour)

 My favorite quilt

 Star Trek themed butter goodness

 Sky glider time for the big kids.  I can only  manage to ride this thing once a year. I used up my fright-ride during Good Guys. 

Fall Upwards 2016 Cheer and Flag Football

What a wonderful season of Upwards Cheer and Flag Football.

Noelle cheered on the Sparkle Squad composed of K-1 grade girls. They practiced once per week and then cheered every Sunday for the 1:00 pm game. Besides learning 4-5 cheers they also had a small dance routine that they performed during half-time.  She loved this.  The routine, the cheers, her coaches and going to practice, it was all in her wheel house.  And that they got to perform their dance on the "stage" at the end of the year ceremony which was the cherry on top of a great season. Noelle loves to perform.  The head coach is amazing and had both cheer squads over to her house at the end of the season for a pizza and dance party.  Not only did Noelle get a prize at the party, this coach has about every Shopkin produced so each girl got to pick out a couple to take home that she had duplicates of. So pretty much the best day ever!  Also I think "Just Dance" will have to go on our Christmas list. 

 Dallas had a great season as well.  Robert and Travis teamed up again to lead the "Broncos".  They have coached together since the boys were in kindergarten.  This team had second and third graders. I think they all had a great time.  Dallas really improved his throwing throughout the season, his favorite is to be quarterback. He also really wanted football gloves so Rob made him a deal and he actually spend his own money to buy half. We are pretty sad the season is over. The weather was gorgeous all Fall, I think I wore shorts to all the games but two! We did have one canceled Sunday when Ames had the flash flooding, I don't think any sports were held that weekend.

Center Grove 2016

Our field trip to Center Grove Orchard was on the first coldish day this Fall.  We always try to go when the Ames HSAP attend as it is so much cheaper to get in with a field trip.  

As always we took home some apple cider donuts.  I did end up buying a coffee and a hot cider (for the kids) more or less just to have something warm to hold in my hands!

 Corn pit, always a crowd pleaser

I think this slide made out of a combine is new. I am not sure as we didn't come out to the corn maze last year. I am sure it was a dead combine, but I couldn't help think that was one expensive slide!

Also new to us this year was the train. We received tickets with our entry, but I am not sure everyone does.  It was neat, and I really appreciated the conductor coming around and asking each of us if we would like our picture taken.

Our no ER streak still holds

How my kids manage to only get injured during the day I will never know, but I like it! Much easier to call Ped's and say my kid is bleeding from the head, I'll be there in 10 minutes.  Although I think we could have gone to the ER for this one (maybe you are for a head injury). Once I got some of the blood soaked up and he let me dig through the hair I could see that we did need to be seen, but it wasn't gaping and seems to be clotting, ie; I felt we could wait a bit to be seen if needed.

Story for preservation purposes:
I was dropping the kids off for PE on ISU campus at the Forker building.  This building and surrounding area has been under construction this Fall. Dallas had just checked in with the teacher and was walking towards the sidewalk where he is supposed to stand with the other teacher until they lead the group inside.  Out of the corner of my eye I see another kid (not fully watched by the teacher with the group) lift and play with a steel pole that a stop sign or a handicap sign would go on.  The pole was upright in the ground but not fixed and did not have a sign at the top yet.  Of course when he finally got the pole fully out of the hole it became top heavy and well... you can guess the rest.  I saw this and was just about to put my van in drive and pull away and I thought that kid is going to get in trouble because that pole is going to land on that parked car and cause major damage.  Well, it didn't hit a car, it hit Dallas head as he was walking to the sidewalk.
I sure did put my car in park quickly when I heard the scream.  Major kudos to Emily as I asked her to sit next to Dallas as we drove to the doctor to help him keep the gauze the teachers gave us on his head.  She didn't like it but did what I asked anyway.  As soon as I gave Dallas my phone with Netflix tuned up he calmed down!  Dr. Smith was the on-call Ped (he goes to out church) he agreed that he needed staples but was likely not concussed.  Seven staples for 8 days.  I am grateful we were able to wash his hair right away, because he was supposed to keep it dry for the remaining week.  His hair was pretty greasy by day four.  The removal was a piece of cake. He was nervous, but our usual nurse had them out in under a minute and I am not sure he noticed.  Also, they didn't shave any hair.