Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail

I took the boys hiking on my own a couple of months ago on a weekend when Brian had to work.  We did the Cheeks Bend Bluff View Trail, one we've done a couple of times before.  It's a relatively flat trail above the Duck River that includes a little cave that takes you down closer to the river.

There are also several geocaches along the trail which made the hike more fun.

The entrance to the cave is unmarked and a 100 feet off the trail.  Luckily I remembered where it was and found it easily.

I remembered to bring headlamps and the boys weren't scared to lead the way.  The cave is short though and you can barely make out light from the other end just after entering.

After finding a geocache outside the cave, we headed back in and up.

There are a couple of cool formations in the cave if you search.

We probably only did two miles but Gray walked the whole time without asking to be carried.  I'll take that as a win!

Pumpkins

We did string art on our pumpkins again this year.  We also ended up carving pumpkins a few days before Halloween but these last a lot longer so we can do them earlier.

Carter did a spider.

Rylan did a cat.

Gray did a bat.

Bingo & Baskets

Our school had a new fundraiser this year called Bingo & Baskets.  Each classroom put together a basket that was bid on during a silent auction that night.  Some parents have great connections and were able to put together some impressive Titans and Predators baskets that raised a lot of money.  I'm the lead room parent for Carter's class and we did a road trip basket since the event was a week before Thanksgiving break.

In addition to the silent action, there were two rounds of bingo that evening.  Each family paid $20 for a set of 4 bingo cards and we played 4 rounds.  And guess who won the third round of our session!?!?!

Rylan w/ Luc

Rylan got to choose his prize and he picked the $50 gift card to Dick's.  We had to go to Dick's that weekend so Rylan could spend it.  He ended up using the money wisely and got some new running shoes.

Rylan's 9th Birthday

Rylan turned nine back on June 28th. 

Rylan really loves Fortnite (and still does) and so his birthday banner theme this year was Fortnite.

Rylan was not a big fan of me writing on the back of the car (it was "embarrassing").

Rylan's birthday was on the first day of the Williamson County Swim League Championship Meet and Carter competed that day.  So after Carter was done, we got some dinner and went to SOAR to play mini golf.

I can't remember why the boys are all matching, but I think we had just bought these shirts the day before and they all wanted to wear them.

Then we went home and had brownies!

For Rylan's party, he invited a friend, Carter, and one of Carter's friends to a Nashville Sounds baseball game (on July 1st).  Rylan invited Bode and Carter invited Riggins (both baseball friends).  Brian took them all while I coached Gray's baseball game.

On the way to the game, Brian took the boys to Westshore for pizza.

This year instead of getting premium seats, we got cheap seats and told the boys they could play mini-golf at the stadium (there is a 9-hole course designed by local artists) and spend more time at the Band Box playing games (like table tennis), as well as get extra treats.  I think they thought it was perfect!

Rylan's main present this year was a new bike.  He loves it!

Gray's Christmas Program 2018

I just posted about Gray's Christmas program from this year and found this draft from his Christmas program last year.  He's wearing the same outfit but has a much shorter haircut.  Honestly, I don't think he looks any older this year!

Gray is in the second from top row, about six in from the left side.

I apparently took a video :)

Last year the kids had the normal Christmas party after their performance with a snack and craft.

Gray with Collins ...

Santa came around to each classroom last year.  Gray asked for the Nintendo Switch that the boys all got from Santa last year.

Vanderbilt Basketball

We've taken the boys to a couple of Vanderbilt basketball games recently.  Before the game against Liberty, there was a Christmas area for kids to make ornaments and decorate cookies.  It was really cute and the boys each make 2 ornaments that are different than anything else on their tree.  Our "ugly tree" is becoming our favorite tree for sure!

Our seats happened to be right next to the band!!!

Gray thought it was way too loud!

This was the first time we sat in the lower section on the sideline.  It's kind of nice going to non-conference games when the students are on break!

We got a visit from Mr. C ...

The guys behind us caught one of the Coca-Cola bears that parachuted from the rafters and gave it to Gray.  He was super excited!

Vandy ended up losing the game but it was fun to watch.  Scotty Pippen Jr is on the team and it's Jerry Stackhouse's first season coaching.

Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt

Back on December 13th, I took the boys to the Flashlight Candy Cane Hunt event held by the city of Franklin parks and rec department.  I've tried to register them for it the last few years but it's always filled up before I remembered.

It was held out at Eastern Flank Battlefield Park at the event facility.  The boys got to decorate collection bags, make an ornament, eat and drink lots of yummy treats, and watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Then it was time for the hunt in the field behind the facility.  There were candy canes all over the ground and hidden in bushes and on the stone walls.  There were regular candy canes and lots of fun flavors too.  We still have several dozen on our kitchen counter.

Carter found one of the six giant candy cane sticks and got a prize (I candy cane filled with Reece's cups).

The evening was super fun and I hope to do it again next year!

WCSA Indoor Soccer

Rylan played on a late fall indoor soccer team with a bunch of his buddies from school (Luc, Ethan, Camden, and Davis).  Brian and I don't like how the league is run and prefer not to coach in it because it just stresses us out, but we were happy to let Rylan play with his friends.

Rylan played with most of this group last year as well.  Coach Derek coaches most of the kids in outdoor soccer with this same league but had room for Rylan to join the indoor team.  Unfortunately, Derek tends to play Rylan less and at defense (we aren't sure why because Rylan is obviously better at offense and scores as soon as he's moved up but maybe Derek feels loyalty to his regular team).  But Rylan was still having fun and that's all that really matters.

The season consisted of 6 games and a tournament.  The team ended up 4-1-1 and ranked 2nd (out of 5 teams) for the tournament. 

Rylan's team played the 3rd place team in their first tournament game.  The game was tied at 0-0 until Rylan pushed up with 13 seconds left and put a perfect shot over the keeper's head.  It was quite exciting!!! :)

The 4th place team beat the 5th place team in the first game.  Then 4th beat 1st in the next game.  So Rylan's team got to play the 4th place team in the championship.  They won that game 5-1 (with Rylan scoring 2 of the goals including a bomb from midfield).

The boys got t-shirts!

The indoor season at Crockett Arena starts next week and Brian is coaching both boys' teams.  We are excited to start that season!

Gray's Christmas Program 2019

On the last day of school before winter break, Gray had a Christmas program and small party.  The kids sang eight songs on the stage.  Gray is on the top way, second from the end on the left.

After the performance, the kiddos returned to the classrooms for cookies and milk.  Ms. Jennifer (the director) decided to keep it simple this year and not do big parties.

Gray with his teacher, Ms. Melissa.

Rylan had Ms. Melissa his one year at Otter Creek when he did the kindergarten program there.

Gray with one of his "girlfriends", Chaney.

Before leaving for winter break, the kids also got to meet Santa!  The real one!!!