Sparring

Since Pierce has been promoted to orange belt, this means that he starts sparring in class. He was very excited for his equipment to come in and suit up.  They only spar in class one day a week and we go twice a week.  It always rotates days so we won't get to do it each week.  Here's a bad phone pic from the first time: 

He's the shorter one in the middle with the red head guard on.  He loved it with his first partner, but not so much with the next one.  His next partner was a little aggressive and didn't back down the way he was supposed to.  I was worried he wouldn't want to spar again the following week but he was ready to get his gear on and try again!  He won't let us get his loose tooth out so maybe this will take care of it!

Go Braves!!!

We registered Pierce for fall ball and he was really, really hoping that he would be on the Braves team. He was sooooo excited when I told him he was!  He also got a jersey that was a little too big because he insisted on having #5  just like his favorite player for the Braves.

He's really loving this season I think, mainly because it's coach pitch rather than machine like at SMP.  So far, he's gotten several hits and is even paying attention more to make some plays out in the field.  We are also loving that it's not nearly as competitive as SMP.  A friend laughed and told me, "it's like you never even moved" since we are already on a new team.  We have already met some very nice families, but missing all our Hoover buddies at the ballpark.  Hey, you don't make new friendships sitting at home!

One thing we have noticed living in a college (football) town is this...no weekend games/practices, if a game falls on a weeknight that AU plays it is cancelled, and no late games.  Win/win!!

Pierce was excited to lead the pack to shake hands after their last game against the A's!

Friday Fun

One of our bus stop buddies, Trey, and his family had some Friday Fun to celebrate the end of the school week.  We headed over to their house to meet other friends for a playdate and dinner.  His dad built an awesome fort which entertained the kids for quite a while and we ate, so entertainment and food is a win/win for this mama!

It's Here, It's Here!!!

We've been on the countdown for football season since we moved...and it's finally here!!!  It's almost like Christmas!  Football season for us means getting to see family we rarely see, visits from old buddies, spend the night guests, and of course football!

Pierce has loved getting to see Vaughn while tailgating.  His sweet grandmother brings him to see us since his mom hasn't been in town.  These Kindergarten buddies miss each other!

 

MC and her family are also in town for all home games and stay the weekend since her grandparents have a condo here.  We loved their visit to our house before they headed back home.

We were dying laughing...P was riding her around like they were on a date!  He told the neighbor kids his old girlfriend was coming over.  Ha!

We had surprise, last minute cousin company one night.  Pierce was excited to wake up and find that Abby and Andrew were at our house!

The Patterson's stopped by our tailgate at the second game.  It's always great to see sweet friends and catch up!  I think the boys had lots of fun playing too!

We are ready for more fun with friends in a few weeks and to cheer on our tigers.  War Eagle!!!

The B-I-B-L-E

Pierce was recently promoted from the preschool hall upstairs to the big kid hall at church.  Apparently, this is pretty exciting stuff!  He was also presented with a Bible.  I was a little sad that he didn't get to do the big presentation at SCBC in front of the whole church.  Here, they do it by classrooms because there are so many.  I think there are three classrooms just for first graders.  We are so proud of his love for church and thirst to learn more about our Lord and savior!

No More Yellow!

Pierce had belt testing at the end of August. I was so nervous for him because he wanted so badly to move from yellow to orange belt. Since we had not tested with AAMA before, we weren't exactly sure what to expect. I wish I had prepared him for the board breaking at the end!

Master Patrick awarded him his new ORANGE belt.  He did it!

The board breaking was very tough for him.  He never did this with his two tests with Tiger Rock.  We were really sweating it, but the instructors kept working with him until he did it!

We are so proud of you and your hard work!!  They will start sparring now with their gear on.  Yikes! (I really, really need to start remembering to drag my big camera along.  The bad lighting and early morning sun makes for tough photos!)

Cuddle Buddy

The most exciting part for Pierce when daddy goes out of town is getting to sleep in my bed.  Poor guy gets lonely upstairs all by himself.  I don't blame him!  I love his sweet little snuggles and early morning kisses!

School Lunch

Meeting Pierce at lunch is quite different than last year.  They eat in their room instead of a big lunchroom.  We both think it's weird!  Going to the lunchroom was one of his favorite things about big school last year.  So, we headed off to pick up boxed lunches for his class and headed back to his room.  The teachers like  this because they can control the noise level, monitor what they eat, along with appropriate conversations and manners.  Personally, I think it's gross that they eat in there with carpeted floors.  Yuck!  She says they have to clean up their own mess so they don't get much on the floor.  Regardless, he was proud to have me visit and loved getting to sit in his special spot at the teacher table!

ATL

On my birthday morning, I got to sleep in and the boys surprised me with breakfast in bed. I laughed that the only tray they could find was a Christmas one!

 

 

                                   

Turning 37 is not so bad with this sweet little munchkin!

We then headed off for a fun weekend in Atlanta!  First up was a Braves game!

The game was lots of fun and the weather wasn't bad at all, thankful for a night game!  On this game, they highlighted the history of baseball, so the players wore old timey uniforms which Pierce thought was funny.  We also learned all kinds of things we didn't know (or at least me) about the history of baseball.  The most memorable thing from the game, by far, was the streaker during the game.  That's right...streaker!  Pierce said, "where are his clothes?!?!"  There's really not a good way to explain that one.

The next day we headed to Georgia Aquarium!

The aquarium photos really don't do justice for how beautiful and amazing the sight actually is.  My favorite part was the tunnel room with water and sea life around you. We had such a fun, short trip to Atlanta and will definitely have to go back soon since there is so much to do there.  Thankful for 37 and a little getaway with my favorite boys!

AU Fan Day

Pierce and his daddy headed over to campus for Fan Day right before the season started. They came home with loads of autographs including players, cheerleaders, Tiger Paws, etc...

This cracks me up...Pierce is giving him his mean, gameface!

Pierce was excited to run into his buddy Jones too!  If you look closely they are in the cutouts.

WAR EAGLE!!!  We are ready for football season to kick off!

First Week Treat

Pierce was excited to come home after the first week of school and find a "Birmingham" treat waiting on him.  Gigi's mini cupcakes!  He was really happy to know that there is a store here and was quick to tell me that the pink one in there was for me!

First Day of 1st Grade

The Night Before...reading to himself, doesn't even need me to help him this time!

Off to 1st grade, at a new school, again...nervous about a new place, but super excited about getting on that big yellow bus!




First Grade boys at the bus stop.  We are loving so many kids at the bus stop this year!

 

He didn't even really tell my bye, just ran off...I had to call his name to get him to look back at me!  At least I'm not pushing him away I guess.



After school, crazy hair, eyes closed, straight off the bus photo.  Ha!

So far, he seems to love first grade...minus the homework!  Except for Mondays, because that is math homework day and he reports that it's easy and his favorite.  He didn't get that from me!

Back to School Bash

Our neighborhood HOA hosted a back to school pool party.  The kids enjoyed swimming (and at night which apparently Pierce hasn't done much!), a cookout, a movie on the big screen, glow sticks, popcorn, and fun with NEW friends!  It was good for us too since we met some families, including a girl that is in his class.  At least on the first day, we knew there would be one familiar face in his class!

Mom/Son Day

On the Saturday before Pierce started school, Vaughn and his mom came for a quick day visit. We loved having them! We tried to fit in as much as possible. Playtime, downtown shopping, campus photos, lunch at Uncle Maddio's, yummy treats from Toomer's Drugs, and pooltime.

Vaughn was super excited that little brother stayed home with his dad!  What special fun for these buddies and their mamas!  They were excited that football season is starting and see each other at all the home games.  Long distance friendships are cherished!

Toes in the Sand...

At the end of July, we made our annual family beach trip to Mexico Beach. We tried as hard as we could to schedule so that Pierce's buddy, Carter, could join us, but we couldn't make it work.  One big downfall to being an only child is not having anyone to play with, especially on vacation.  Surprisingly, Pierce did really well entertaining himself and really, really loved the ocean!!  (Major mommy fail...I forgot my big camera.  Oops!!)

Daddy snapped this one quickly while waiting to be seated at dinner our first night.

 

We also headed back to Apalachicola again for kayaking.  The water in the canal is gorgeous! This is always my favorite day while we are there.  We also found a local oyster bar that was AWESOME and will definitely be on our list for next year!

We also had gorgeous weather and beautiful sunsets.  No complaints here!!

 

 

 

Our trip always seems short, we can't wait to go back!  Thankful we get to enjoy this little piece of heaven on Earth!!