The End of Soccer

I have to admit at the beginning of soccer I was dreading it a little. Nate didn't want to play and I'm not really into soccer so I wasn't expecting it to be a real exciting season. The first game was a little rough considering Nate hasn't ever played a real game and only knew a little bit about it. A friend of ours sat down with him and went over everything that had to do with soccer and even had an outline of the field  so Nate could get a better understanding. After that, Nate Dogg became a soccer star. And I was one proud momma!

Nate went right up and took the ball away from the other team.

Signing the coach's ball.

The team.

Silly faces.

 A relaxing morning at soccer.

Kathryn is going to miss soccer Saturdays too.

As Kathryn was lounging on the sidelines, her best friend Addison surprised her. It doesn't look like she's happy to see her, but she was actually really excited to see her. What she's mad about is this little boy she doesn't know who was squatting in front of her.

Mace even got a front row seat to watch the game. Paw-Paw and Lady pulled up along the fence so he could see Nate Dogg in action.

After the game we went over to the park for the soccer party.

Kathryn is part of everything her brother does.

While Nate was off playing with his friends, Lady was there to play with Kathryn.

Time for pizza. Again, Kathryn is right there living the big kid life with her brother.

Trophy time they called "The Legendary Nate Dogg. One and Only."

Time for cake.

Unfortunately, they forgot to bring utensils. It actually worked out better though because at least Nate looked like there was a reason for being this messy after eating a piece of cake. I didn't tell anyone he looks like this even with a fork.

 Kathryn didn't seem to mind either.

Next up, tee ball. Can't wait for that!

Lunch Time

Nathan waited a full five years to get the kindergarten experience, but Kathryn has this kindergarten thing down at the age of two. She's seen the classroom, she hears the stories of golden behavior slips and the dreaded red slips. She even knows how the lunchroom operates right down to getting a tray, picking a milk and following behind Nate to let him punch his code in to pay for their meals. She sits down with Nate and his friends and even socializes! The second kid really does get a completely different view of the world.

Poor Nate has had to find his own way in everything he's done (with the help of Mommy volunteering and working to follow him around), but Kathryn is going to know everything about being a kindergartener way before her time even comes.

 She even goofs off like she belongs there.

 She's so funny.

Nate is very guarded when it comes to exposing his friends to his family, excluding me or Kathryn. He finally let Steve join him for lunch one day. I was already there volunteering so his class and I walked to the cafeteria and met up with Steve and Kathryn. Steve had to try these delicious chicken nuggets Nate raves over. I tried to warn Steve that parents don't really go through the lunch line and he would be the only one, with the exception of someone's grandma, to actually buy a school lunch. He didn't take my advice and looked like a dork. That's not the funny part of the story though. When he walked back out to the table Nate sat down, then Kate sat down then just as Steve put his tray down a little boy rushed over and squeezed into his seat before he could sit down. Then the little boy wouldn't move and Steve was left standing there with nowhere to sit because in that time every seat near Nate had filled up. I could tell the situation was getting embarrassing so I gave up my seat and left so that Steve wouldn't get bullied anymore by these kindergarteners.

Then Nate finally decided to let Paw-Paw join him for lunch last week. If you know Nate, you know that if he allows you to be around his peers away from home that is a very high honor. When Paw-Paw went to sit down next to Nate, that same little boy rushed over and took his seat too. Then he put his feet up on the seat next to him and told Paw-Paw he couldn't sit there either. Haha! This is a little jerk kid, but it's funny to watch.

I just have to throw this story out there too. Another little boy in Nate's class asked if I babysit. I told him no. Then he said I look like a babysitter because I look like a teenager. I love kindergarteners!

Throwback Blog

Remember back when Nate wouldn't leave the house without one of his warm, fuzzy hats when we lived in South Dakota? I was cleaning out a closet recently and came across this good, ol' memory. I made him wear it. He's waaayyyy too cool for that these days.

He smiled for a split second just to entertain me.

Then I also found his old flight suit. He never did like this thing. At least he was willing to put it on. I bought this for him when he was almost three years old. It finally fits.

So cool.

My favorite part is the Nate Meissner name tag. We've been calling him Nate since he was a baby. The rest of the world is starting to join in.

 Then, of course, Kathryn wanted to try it on.

 Then, of course, Nate jumped in front of the camera and started making butt jokes.

 Then, of course, Kathryn joined in with the butt jokes.

Happy Halloween!

Nate and Kate dressed up as their favorite characters this year for Halloween. Nate spends his free time playing his 3DS and Kate spends her free time snuggled up in the couch corner watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Kathryn originally wanted to be Daisy Duck, but there weren't any Daisy Duck costumes under $150. I worked hard at convincing her Minnie Mouse was way better, and now I'm paying the price for it. Literally. I have to buy everything Minnie Mouse out there, and if you haven't noticed, there is A LOT of Minnie Mouse stuff. Just wait and see after her Minnie Mouse birthday party in a couple weeks.

 Luigi's close up.

 Minnie Mouse up close.

 Up close and uncooperative.

About to head out on their way with Daddy. This is their first year actually going door to door. I managed to avoid it up until this year. Lucky Mommy got to stay home and my friend Michelle came over to hand out candy with me.

 Even Little Mack was decked out in his Jack-o-lantern sweater.

I finally have a dog I can do this to. Poor Mace used to have to endure me squeezing him into extra large dog sweaters that just didn't fit.

More Mack

Kathryn is such a good little Mommy to Little Mack.

She dances for him and he just sits contently in the shopping cart.

Everything is a toy.

Jumping on his sister. Don't tell Kathryn she's Mack's sister or else she'll get mad. She swears she's his mommy.

In one of his crazy moods.

 He can't resist stealing socks. He especially likes to play this game when we're in a hurry.

Little Mack fits right in here. He has a great big Haggerty head too. He looks like he might be right up there with Nathan.

This picture is just to show off Kathryn's "new" pajama pants. She loves wearing Nate's raggedy old clothes.

Mullet Festival 2012

Nate has wanted to go back to the Mullet Festival ever since he left it last year. Steve wasn't around for the excitement, but the kids and I definitely had fun. It's a lot more fun this year since Kathryn is exactly 36" and tall enough to ride most of the rides. It helps that she's not scared of anything too! We got there early enough Saturday morning that we got to ride rides over and over without even having to get off. That was beneficial after spending $25 for each wristband. It almost made me feel like we got $75 worth of rides.

 We took a break with a kiddie ride. They were bored with it.

 Nate and Kate and their friends grabbed a bite to eat.

 On the ferris wheel.

 Kathryn had fun.

 Then on another spinny ride.

 This one kind of made me nauseous.

 We took another break from fast rides and rode the merry-go-round.

 I could only get pictures of them on the kiddie rides because I was with them on the crazy ones.

Until next year... maybe Paw-Paw and Lady will be able to join us next year. They certainly missed a fun day!