Fishing with Grandma and Grandpa Brinkley

Grandparents Brinkley drove up to Iowa for a visit the weekend of September 11th. It was a short weekend, but we managed to do a lot. First day, they took the kids fishing for their first time at Kent Park. Rather quickly, we caught a small fish (blue gills?). The kids were very excited and wanted to touch it. Peter was all for it, but Natalie and Elaine were a bit more timid.

Peter got his first feel for the fishing pole.

Elaine had some sweet Daddy time along the lake.

Everyone wanted to be on Grandma's lap!

Natalie really wasn't sure about this flippery fish that hung in front of her.

The girls and Grandma took a nice stroll along an old bridge.



Elaine was enjoying the time and getting dirty.

Natalie stopping to pick the tiny flowers.

Peter having a peaceful (Forrest Gump) moment.

All in all, it was a BEAUTIFUL day, and the kids had a great time and will have lasting memories of their grandparents and fishing.

Peter's Soccer league kick-off

This season Peter joined the Iowa City Kickers, the community soccer league. It's a little more serious than the recreational tot soccer or tee ball. There's uniforms, shin guards, and soccer shoes. We've entered a new level of sports!

Peter loves...really loves...soccer. He's excited about practice and games, something he wasn't as excited with tee ball. I think it's the fact that soccer is more of a contact sport, specifically with the ball! Here's Peter practicing his kicking before his first game last Saturday (the 11th).

Coach Brian is great. He also has a great group in his team. Peter has a couple of classmates as well as new friends on his team. His first game was against another team made up of some of his preschool classmates and friends. It was confusing at first, but then it was all fun after that.

Towards the end of the game, Peter got possession of the ball and made a goal! Unfortunately, I didn't catch the goal...bad time for the camera battery to die! But Peter remembers it fondly!

Yes, this officially makes me a soccer mom.
(No bumper stickers for the van, please!)