Do It Yourself Light Sabers

Nathan and Charlotte love their Ipads! They love making their own videos and watching videos on You Tube. Nathan happened to find this video on how to make your own light saber out of a pool noodle and duct and electrical tape. He was so excited when he saw it and made me list of supplies to get. Really, they only thing I had to actually buy was a pool noodle. And you cut the noodle in half so we were able to make 2. They turned out really cute! The new Star Wars movie is about to come out so we are all about anything Star Wars here!

Corey's Wedding

Last weekend was a busy one. We went to Nathan's first football game (and they won!) and then we went straight home, met Grandmother, Nathan showered, we all changed clothes, and got in the car to go to Wayne's cousin's wedding! It was in Hot Springs, Arkansas so we had to be fast! We actually got there an hour before the wedding started. It was a great time because we got to see family that we haven't seen in a while plus show off Nathan and Charlotte. They had so much fun with their cousins: Logan, Landon, Lexa and Layton. Wayne and the guys all hung out while Tiffany, Grandmother, and I watched the kids. But the wedding was outside and the reception was in a barn so really, we didn't have to do much. The kids just ran around and had fun just being together. They also had a fire pit where we had fun making smores. The funniest part was when they all got on the dance floor and danced together. There is a song called "Nae Nae" It has all of these dance moves that alot of the kids know. So when the DJ played it, the Parnell kids got out there and had the whole dance floor to themselves. 

After the wedding, we went to the hotel. We had three rooms right together so that was nice. The kids all put their swimsuits on and we took them to the indoor pool. Then the big boys spent the night with Helen. So Wayne and I had Charlotte all to ourselves! The next morning, we had a big breakfast and headed home. I love seeing Nathan and Charlotte with their cousins! It is so great to see how well they all get together. And they'll see them again in two weeks when everyone comes here for the Arkansas Texas A&M game!

Lost Tooth

Nathan's bottom left tooth has been loose for a while. Finally last week, he agreed to let me pull it. It was so fun! He's let me try to pull a tooth before but he usually jerks away before I have a chance to get it. This time, it was so loose that it popped right out. Nathan was so happy to have it out and really excited about the money he was going to get from the tooth fairy. 

That night was an easy "bed" night. Nathan couldn't wait to go to bed and have the tooth fairy come. 

Around 11:30, I...I mean the "tooth fairy" snuck into his room. "She" reached under his pillow and found that he had a death grip on the bag with the tooth in it. I think he was worried it was going to fall off the bed. "She" nudged him to get him to move his hand and all of a sudden he woke up so "she" dove to the ground and "her" knee landed on a tiny Lego! "She" whispered a few four letter words while on the ground. The tooth fairy was very tired but had to wait another 30 minutes to try again. "She" got the job done the 2nd time. In the morning, when I woke Nathan up for school, he had the same death grip on his $5! Some of my friends told me they put a lost tooth in a pouch and hang on the door. What a great idea! So much safer for the tooth fairy!

Flag Football, The Patriots

We just started fall flag football, and Nathan is loving it! We played in the spring with a group called flag football for fun. That was Nathan's first experience. He really liked it but it was VERY laid back. We practiced an hour before the game, played the game, and that was it. Now we are playing with the Frisco Football League. It is more intense, but we lucked out with our coach. I've heard stories about some of the coaches being really tough.  Ours is definitely more structured and serious but still encouraging. The kids really like him. I'm having to get used to the twice a week, hour and a half practices. Although I find ways to pass time...I'm actually writing this post at practice! 

They had their first game last Saturday and won! It was actually a really exciting game to watch. Last spring, I think we lost every game, ha! 

First Day of School

Nathan is officially a 2nd grader and Charlotte is in Pre-K 5. Nay Nay started school first, just a few days after we got back from our cruise! I can tell such a difference in him because he got upset at the beginning of school both last year and the year before. This year, there were no tears at all! I was so happy. Charlotte didn't cry either!!! They are making this back to school time so much easier for Mommy. Nathan has so many friends and felt really good and excited about going back. When I was helping him get dressed, we put on his new Under Armour tennis shoes and he said to me, "Mommy, these shoes make me feel so confident!" That's my big boy! As we walked to school with his friend Jake, he was waving to other kids walking. He and Jake were so cute together! Jennifer and I (along with the sisters) walked them to their class the first day, but after that, they wanted to go on their own. 

Charlotte loves Miss Amy! And she is in class with two of her friends from last year, Madison and Addie. That has really helped her to be excited about a new year. The first two pictures of her with Miss Amy are from Meet the Teacher which was the week before school started. Charlotte hardly talked but she did smile the whole time. On the first day of school, Charlotte woke up early because she was excited. Normally, she likes to sleep in until at least 8. On this day, she woke up at 7 with Nathan! Well, after letting her watch a show, eating breakfast, getting her dressed and taking pictures, she was worn out. She fell asleep on the way to school! But she went right in with a big smile on her face.  When I picked Charlotte up that afternoon, she looked so happy. While I was signing her out, a little girl named Madeline told Charlotte she liked her backpack. And then Charlotte told her she liked her shoes. As we were leaving, Madeline started holding Charlotte's hand! It was so cute!