Maize Stampede

Last night we took Grant and his friend Nick to the 2nd annual Maize South  Stampede Carnival.  Even though it was very hot outside we all had a great time.  It was amazing how many kids {and their families} I saw that were once in my 1st grade class.  It’s hard to believe some of them are juniors in high school.

We bought ticket tickets so the boys could play games.  They especially loved this basketball one.  They were tethered together and every time one of them ran forward to shoot the ball the other one would be jerked back.  It was pretty funny to watch.

Grant also loved the pitching booth.  He got to throw three balls {without warming up} and each pitch was clocked.  He managed to hit the target every time with a top speed of 50 mph.  We bought $5 bracelets so the boys could go crazy jumping in all the bouncy houses that were set up all the way around the track.  {I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many in one place!!!}   The obstacle course bouncies were a big favorite of everyone.  There was always a line.   

Some of the other bouncies didn’t have a very long line.  I finally lost count of how many times they went down the Lion King slide.  We were all a hot, sweaty mess when we finally left.  Can you tell Grant was in NO mood for a picture??

After the Carnival we headed over to the Stephen’s house to join them and a few other Maize families for drinks and some Smore’s.  They have a great outdoor fireplace in their backyard and it is the perfect place to roast marshmallows.  The kids ran around out back all evening while the adults relaxed and shared stories about our first week back at school.

An Early Birthday Gift

Jeff’s birthday came a little early {again} this year.  Tonight he got a new iPad.  As you can see from the pictures he and Grant have both had fun playing with it all evening.        I haven’t gotten the chance to play with it yet, but I’m not worried.  I know someday soon it will be mine just like all of Jeff’s other electronics purchases.  As soon as a new model comes out he’ll want to upgrade and I will inherit the old model.   I think Grant is already counting on that happening too.  He’s pretty sure at some point it might even be his.

1st Day of School

Today was the first day of school for Grant and me.    Before we headed out the door we had to pose for a few pictures on the front porch.  It’s still hard for me to believe that he is in 4th grade now!!! {Me and my boy } 

{Today I celebrated my 1oth First Day of teaching 1st grade. }

Luckily Jeff was in town so he was able to take Grant to school this morning.  Things didn’t actually go quite as planned though.  He called me a few minutes before my kids began arriving and told me they had driven around and could not find a parking spot anywhere.  With all of the construction happening at my old building and all of the parents who were also there for the 1st day of school things were pretty crazy.  He was afraid if he waited to find a parking spot Grant would be late on his first day.  So, he ended up just sending Grant in with the camera and telling him to have a friend take his picture.  Grant was fine with it.  I think Jeff was just worried I wouldn’t be.

{Grant and his teacher Mrs. Burnett}

{Grant and his BFF Nick}  Somehow they have managed to be in the same class since Kindergarten.

   I owe Nick’s mom a big THANK YOU for taking these pictures for me!!!

Dog Days of Summer

I couldn’t resist snapping a few pictures of Grant and Spiro this morning. This is what I saw when I walked through the living room.  We don’t really let him sit on the living room furniture, but he was acting like he didn’t feel good this morning so I let him snuggle up next to Grant.     

I wonder if Spiro realizes that his days of being pampered by us are about to come to an end?   Tomorrow I have to report back to work and then Grant begins school next Monday.  Maybe he is just feeling a little depressed like the rest of us.  Our summer break seemed to have just whizzed by.

There’s A New Chef In Town

Every Tuesday evening we tune into Hell’s Kitchen.  {Jeff discovered it several years ago and it quickly became one of our favorite reality shows.}  After watching it last night, followed by Gordon Ramsey’s newest show, Master Chef, Grant was feeling inspired to do a little cooking of his own.

With a little help from Daddy he found a recipe online that could be cooked in the crock pot.  He got all of his ingredients ready and he even started marinating the chicken.  He also made the cutest little notes to go on each ingredient so he wouldn’t forget anything . . . priceless!!!!

Can you guess where we do most of our grocery shopping?  From the looks of this picture we look like quite the bargain shoppers.  I guess I didn’t realize just how many {Great Value} brand items we buy.

      This morning he was up bright and early ready to cook.

   

Since it was such a special occasion he wanted to invite Aunt Karen and Granny over for dinner.       

Not only did he cook the meal . . . but he served everyone too.

This is what Grant calls “Chicken Italiano” with parmesan buttered noodles.

He’s already planning his next meal.

Royals Game

After meeting up with some of the Elliott family for breakfast, we headed to Kauffman Stadium to see the Royals take on the Baltimore Orioles.  It was a 1:00 game and just happened to be the hottest day of the year so far in KC. 

I tried to get a good picture of the boys as we were going to our seats, but as you can see I didn’t have very good luck . . .

 

Miles took this one of me and Jeff.  Luckily I was able to crop out the camera strap.

The Bumgardner boys waiting for the game to start. 

We had great seat just a few rows back from the Orioles dugout, but they were directly in the sun.  After two LONG innings we moved back a section into the shade.  Grant was determined to catch a foul ball so every time there was a left handed batter at the plate he was up out of his seat. 

He aleo spent quite a bit of time standing in this walkway.  He managed to make friends with a few of the Royals Crew girls and the ushers.  They even gave him some free stuff . . .  He never did catch a foul ball . . . but he caught a Twinkie.  The  only problem is he hates cream so he shared it with his brother.

After each game kids can go down on the field and run around the bases.  Grant, of course, was all about it . . . so I waited in line with him and joined him on the field. 

This picture was Grant’s idea.  He wanted it to look like he was holding up the big screen.

After the game, which by the way the Royals won 5-4, we drove down to the City Market and enjoyed some cold drinks, AC and a pizza.  Then we decided to spend the rest of the evening relaxing so we grabbed a movie from a Redbox and headed back to our hotel.