Saturday with Friends

Soccer

Mike decided that he really wanted to take the boys to play soccer after dinner on Sunday night. Miles and Noah insisted that they did not like soccer and it wouldn't be any fun. Surprise, surprise, they LOVED it! Each of the boys had their own ball and we dragged several nets together so they could share a net or use their own. After about 30 minutes of playing around, Mike started some simple drills with them. It was great -- and 1st thing Monday morning, Miles asked if they could do it again that night (which they did).



(pretty sure griff is caught in the net here. oops.)








(photo by Miles. noah's stance cracks me up.)

It was so great to see the boys gain confidence in something that they assumed they wouldn't be any good at/wouldn't like. Looking forward to logging more family hours out on the field!

Knights Game

On Saturday night, the Brown and the Hull families went to a Knights game. Mike and I had been years ago, but we'd never taken the boys. Before we left, Mike said that if we ended up staying one hour, it would be a "success" -- we just weren't sure how interested the boys would be/if they'd be able to sit still that long. We arrived at 7pm -- and imagine our surprise when we were leaving the stadium at 11pm! Except for quick bathroom breaks, the kids were focused on the game and all the fun that goes along with it. They watched the plays, followed the score, jumped up and danced when music was played and got into all of the hand clapping/knee slapping/cheering. They ate dipping dots and popcorn. And they were in awe of the fireworks after the game. In fact, Miles was so excited during the firework display that he continually yelled things out like, "Awesome!", "That's so cool!", "Wahoo!!!". I'm not sure I've ever seen Miles so energetic and spirited. On the way home I asked Miles if the night was one of his favorites of the entire summer. His immediate response was, "uh...try my entire life!!" hahaha




(7th inning stretch)

(gearing up for the fireworks after the Knights WON!)


On Sunday morning Miles said, "mom, I used to think that I hated sports, but now I know that I love to WATCH sports. can we go to all of the games this year?!" Love it -- and so looking forward to taking the boys on a round of football, basketball and hockey games this year (Pop and Gram, maybe Miles would like his own conch shell/cowbell for Christmas this year...haha).

Dana and Brad Going Away Party

In just a few days Dana and Brad are heading out on a year-long (at least) adventure to China.  They are planning to teach English at a university there -- a perfect opportunity for this set of amazing teachers.  I can't wait to hear all about their adventures (hoping they blog a ton!) and hoping we get to skype with them a lot -- as we will miss them terribly.




This is a classic/full-body "Dana laugh". I love it.


Everyone at their going away party signed a calendar for them (such a great idea!). I really loved what Miles wrote. Totally agree with him.


(cute smile, courtesy of Griffin. Griffin's favorite shirt, courtesy of Aunt Dana and Uncle Brad)

The Bulls

There in an office park in South Charlotte that has these 3 HUGE bulls. We checked them out for the first time after having dinner nearby. The boys had so much fun climbing, swinging, and just running around them.  Can tell this will be another favorite play spot.















Horrible quality, but its the one family picture. :)

Camps

The boys have had much fun at camp this summer.  All of their camps were 'morning only' camps (anything longer makes my boys whine that they are 'wasting their summer at camp') and were mostly drop-off/pick-up with a car pool line so I have no pictures to show for most of them.  Griffin went to 6 days of camp (over 2 weeks) at his school, one week Miles (and Ella) went to a lego camp while Noah (and Jack) went to a preschool camp at the Y,  another week Miles and Noah (and Ella and Jack) went to a swim camp at the Y, and lastly they all four went to a camp at the Mint Museum.  Miles' and Ella's class was kid only, so I only go this one shot of them.   Trish got another cute one and posted on her blog.


Noah and Jack's class was "mommy and me", so I had plenty of opportunities to take their pictures.  These boys are so cute together.




Here is one of Noah's creations (he painted the paper with water color paint first, then cut up paper to create the animals/tree). A photo of this image was included in the email out to Mint Museum members talking about the camps and sharing information about the kids' artwork currently on display at the museum. Pretty cool!

Best pals.



Love this picture of one of my favorite friends and my sweet godson. In my eyes, it's totally them.

You Can Call Me Al

Last week our family joined my parents, my sisters and their hubs at Ocean Isle. It was great family time - and I have much video/some photo footage that I'll post soon. Until then, I'm unveiling my first low no-budget music video.  Making a (very basic) music video has been on my bucket list for the summer.  I envisioned following the boys around in the backyard and prompting them to act little things out, but we never got around to it.  Instead, I talked everyone into making one at the beach.  We picked the song together, talked about funny moves together and laughed a bunch while acting silly.  I've been cracking up while watching the footage.  I love that my family can be so silly.  And, no, I'm not promising that I won't be trying to make this a summer tradition.  :)

Here goes the Clerico/Schubert/Hedgepeth/Brown rendition of "You Can Call Me Al": 

You Can Call Me Al from Brooke Brown on Vimeo.