iPhone Unload {August 2015}

At the beginning of August we went to the annual hot air balloon festival. It was the perfect evening for balloons. Pictures (top to bottom, L to R): Daddy showing Kolter the balloons, Daddy snuggling with Kolter and Nora, S & N craning their neck to see the balloons, Mama and Sawyer, Mama and Nora, Kolter ready for the hot air balloons, Nora loving the balloons, Kolter pointing out the balloons in the sky, Nora being silly, Sawyer fell asleep (we just got home from SC that day and someone did not get much sleep), lots of balloons and lots of people, the kiddos posing with the balloons

We tried to pack in the fun at the beginning of August before Daddy headed off to football camp…our special girl turned 4 and she had very specific cake requests…chocolate cake with orange frosting accented with a flower and rainbow sprinkles #sheknowswhatshelikes; S & N making rainbow kabobs for Nora's party; Daddy/daughter hug waking her up on her birthday; Nora at her yearly well check with her new birthday dress and rainbow unicorn; after a morning of arguing and antagonizing each other we went on an acorn/squirrel hunt. The fresh air and beauty of God's creation changed everyone's attitude #itsthelittlethings #attitudeofgratitude #theearthisfilledwithhisglory; Nora proud of her rainbow mani/pedi; brothers riding in a cart; lollipop, lollipop, oh lolli, lolli, lolli lollipop; celebrating our last supper before football starts

One Saturday morning we went to the Football Hall of Fame grand parade. And of course we brought donuts! Pictures: the kids enjoying their donuts, Kolter loved getting his very own donut, happy Nora, the Schenk and Penner kids watching the action, Kolter loved the big character balloons he even clapped for them, the baby being cute

Pictures: a pile of mess…that's after 1 meal…all day, everyday; this day I worked outside the home…my favorite part was eating a hot (dare I say, gourmet) lunch while reading a book #iloveallmyjobs; Kolter found a new favorite spot…on top of the counter, he's our little climber; one of Nora's 1st princess drawings, adorned with MANY stickers; Nora twirling while eating cotton candy; Nora and Sawyer showing off their Lego club creations; father/son wake-up snuggle; Kolter very excited about his 1st time up the play land at Chick-fil-a; Nora modeling her curled hair (she requested I use the curling iron); babysitters club blowing bubbles; Sawyer's kindergarten locker; cheesy Nora; my biggest baby wanted me to carry him to bed…he was being so sweet and snuggly until he saw I pulled out the camera

Pictures: Emotional day at the Schenk house…Nora made her very own PB&J (from setting out the ingredients to licking the knife clean)! We may have a new lunch lady around here! #hallelujah #toobigtoofast #bittersweet #mostlysweet; working on Christmas towel sets; after 32 years I suffered my first bee sting #boo; the kids wanted to go on a jog so they put on their socks and tennis shoes (we haven't seen those in several months ;); Kolter trying to keep up; snuggles with my biggest baby #heartexploding #whatbedtime #myapologiestohisteachers; making daddy proud…Ford Bronco for the win

Pictures: Nora and Caleb Penner walking into preschool orientation hand in hand; Nora excited for preschool orientation; brothers sharing ketchup; Kolter excited about black beans; Kolter learning to enjoy the finer things in life…fast food fries #ketchupmakeseverythingbetter; all three riding the cozy coupe; this little one is so inquisitive; my boys; my girl; my soy bean

FBG #1

These kids are crazy for Malone football! #gopioneers #mufootball #biggestfans

Malone played their 1st game of the season last Thursday night. It was a rainy day. In fact we went to the tailgate and stood under the tent for 2 hours trying to stay dry. However, as kick-off approached the skies cleared…we even saw a rainbow as we took our seats!

The Pioneers hosted #5 Ohio Dominican. The 1st play of the game the Pioneers completed a pass which resulted in a touchdown! Then the defense held tight and ODU was 3 and out. Let's just say those 1st few minutes were a wee bit exciting!

Mid-way through the 1st quarter the game settled down and got into more of a rhythm. Unfortunately, it didn't benefit the Pioneers. The final score was 21-59. Despite the score there were some positives to take away from the game…special teams had a touchdown, a few players did really well, etc.

The game started at 7:30 pm and I brought the kids along for the 1st quarter. I was nervous about Kolter the climber at the game…but he surprised me and sat on my lap almost the whole time because he was mesmerized by the ball. I think he watched more the game than me ;)

In the 2nd quarter the kids went home with a babysitter so they could get some sleep for school the next day. It was nice to actually watch the game in the 2nd half.

1st Day of Preshool

Nora has been so excited to start school! She has literally been counting down the days. And there have been several rounds of tears because Sawyer gets to go to school, but she couldn't go yet :(

However, FINALLY on Tuesday of last week Nora made her school debut! She picked out her outfit. Requested the perfect hair style. Ate a pancake breakfast courtesy of Daddy. Put on her backpack and off headed to the van.

When we reached the school she jumped out of the van and said, "Bye Mom!" I think she was ready ;) I informed her we would be taking a few pictures and then I would walk her inside.

Walking into school with her very own big kid backpack. She found her name and hung it up.

When I picked her up she was all smiles! She then proceeded to tell me all the details. They read a Bible story about Jesus creating everything and a dinosaur story. Then they sang the dinosaur song and she got a pink dinosaur. Then they played outside and she fell and got a bandaid. She colored several pages including a portrait of her daddy. She also got to paint! I could go on and on because she could not stop gushing. I think it's safe to say her first day was a smashing success.

Then as is our tradition we went out for a special treat…Menchies frozen yogurt with all the toppings

Football Camp

In the Schenk house the month of August = football camp. Which also translates to daddy is gone all the time and we have to find fun elsewhere ;)

While Daddy is gone I occupy the kids with lots of activities and lots of football practice.

All the coach's kids showing great teamwork at the lake

this boy loved getting dirty in the sand

 The kids love going to football practice. The bigs run around with their friends and this guy loves to watch the ball (and steal the players water bottle)!

He was very excited for his 1st practice of the season #ballballballballball #coachputmein #pintsizedplayer #malonepioneers 

One night we went with the coaching kids to an outdoor movie complete with glow sticks and ring pops

 Crossing the line and Daddy taking a quick moment to say "hi"

1 of 8,345,956,734 crazy things about parenthood…one moment they can make your heart nearly explode with happiness and the next moment they can make you want to pull your hair out #mommyneedsamoment #thankfulforgrace #forallparties…this was a common sentiment throughout football camp ;)

One day we went to football practice and made sno-cones for the players and coaches. The kids had fun making the "snow." And Nora (who is typically pretty shy around the players, especially in pads) loved handing out the sno-cones individually to each player!

Thankfully we got to visit daddy for most dinners. The kids loved seeing daddy and having special treats at the cafeteria. Mommy loved the little break and not having to cook dinner. One day we threw caution to the wind and had ice cream for lunch #mommywastired #lunchofchampions

I have  mentioned this kid loves a ball ;) the bigger the better

he is also mesmerized by the players

Kolter also enjoyed eating with the team…he got lots of treats…the right way to eat a Klondike bar 

August is over and so is football camp! Now onto the regular season!

Was it Enough?

I wrote this a few weeks ago, but here are my thoughts on my oldest starting kindergarten…

This morning marked the final free morning we had before Sawyer begins going to school everyday (Pre-K). To mark the milestone we headed to the zoo and enjoyed a delightful morning with all 3 kiddos.

I’m not usually emotional about milestones, but this one took me by surprise. I kept thinking…

Did I do enough for him the past 5 years

Did I show him enough love

Did I read him enough books

Did I show him enough grace

Did I show him too much grace

Did I play with him enough

Did I teach him enough

Did I show him how to be kind

Did I show him how to be a good friend

Did I show him how to stand up for what you believe

After a brief breakdown and prayer I realized it doesn’t really matter what I did. God’s got this. He created him. He gave Sawyer his unique gifts (and struggles). He has a plan for him. I just need to trust in that plan and continue to point him to Christ. #mommyguilt #toobigtoofast #hedoesnotbelongtome