Catching Up

This momma started school last week and life has been insane ever since. It's tough trying to get into a new groove. But it's been oh, so worth it. I LOVE Bella Institute. It's been a fantastic two weeks and I have already learned so many new things. Today I got to do my first highlights on my mannequin head. And it actually turned out lovely. It's weird to think that in not too long I will be doing hair as my profession. So exciting! One thing that has caught me a little off guard is how much chemistry I have to learn. Peptide bonds. Polypeptide chains. Side Bonds. Disulfide. Amino Acids. PH Scale...and the list goes on. But I have been able to retain this new knowledge and passed my first test on Wednesday. Yeah!

So, now I am trying to get caught up. I can't let this blog go to pot. This is what documents our crazy life! So in between homework, working on my mannequin head, being a taxi service for my sweet kiddos and all the other things that entail being Tonya Gold, I will keep this blog alive.

Now onto catching up...

Don McCorkle came to town from Georgia. He and his son Skeeter. That's right, Skeeter McCorkle. Such a perfect down south kind of name! These guys are clients of Matt's who just happen to love our family. Don is hilarious. He's a deeply religious man who loves his chew and believes that God gave kids padding on their bums for a reason. We love hanging out with him. He keeps us laughing.

The kids some how got the idea to suck fettuccine noodles through straws. I told them to stop, but Don thought it was hysterical. 

Don won. 

Eli came to dinner with us directly from soccer practice. I love that he wore his boxer shorts from last years Halloween costume to practice. What a stud!

 ( eli getting ready to complete the laser course)

Eli's turned 9 on August 28th. I promised him a birthday party complete with friends this year...since I flaked last year. So a couple of weeks ago he finally got to celebrate his day Spy School style. All the boys got a passport and had to come up with a secret spy name. They went from country to country learning the art of being a spy. 

First stop Russia: to complete their strength training. 

Matt was a hilarious Russian strength trainer. His accent was the best!  

And he made those boys work it.

Do not let go. Spy's must be strong. No sissies.

 Laser wars.

Throughout the party they had to decipher clues. This clue led them to large cockroaches complete with slimy guts. They were instructed to only use them under extreme pressure to distract the enemy. Really, I just found them for a really great deal and knew the boys would go nuts over them, so I figured out a way to make them spy worthy. And it worked:)

Next to China to perfect the art of patience and quick, precise movement.

The boys had to use a pair of chopsticks to place M&M's into a small bowl. They had to be completely silent. It was fun to watch.

They also traveled to other countries where they had to learn grenade throwing( tennis balls into a basket) and bomb detonation ( jumping on and popping balloons). There was more, but you get the jist. 

And the best part is that Eli had a great time with his buddies.

Soccer season is well under way. Go Bulldogs!

Good game. Good game. Good game.

Eli passed off all of his wolf stuff in scouts and advanced to bear. 

Matt got to give him his advancement patch.

Good job, little man.

And last Friday night Rylie got to participate in a late night choir retreat. She had a great time with her choir friends and I had fun chaperoning and eating way too much pizza. 

The girls painting music...

Do.Re.Mi.La.So.Fa.Ti.Do.

(sophi's self portrait)

And this cute little face just happened to pop up on my camera. 

Life is good.

And that's a wrap.