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!