Old Soul

Jake has referred to Riley as an "old soul" more than once this past week. Here are a couple reasons why....

While they were out golfing, Jake was telling Riley how Grandpa taught him how to play, and now he gets to teach Riley how to play. So Riley says, "Then I'll get to teach my kid how to play!" Jake liked that.

Tonight at dinner, I made a simple crock pot recipe (Reece's new favorite) and Riley tells me, "When I grow up you have to give me this recipe!!"

Haha! What 10 year old is talks so much about his later years!?

Another funny story, that has nothing to do with him being an "old soul," but I think will embarrass, or make him laugh when he is all grown up, happened at dinner last week. Jake and I were talking about how we met, and Jake slipped in the fact that if we wouldn't have met, the boys wouldn't be here (sad thought, huh?). Well, Riley insisted that maybe dad wouldn't be here but the rest of us would! Why, you wonder?? "Dads can't get pregnant!" Haha.... who needs dads anyway?? Moms obviously, just miraculously, have babies when they are ready for baby! Love the innocence of kid's minds!

First Round of Golf

Riley got to go out with dad for his first golfing experience, yesterday. It was only 105* outside, with zero wind. Jake's original plan was to just hit the driving range, for the obvious reason that Riley has never hit a golf ball other than at mini golf. Well, Riley got excited and even the extreme heat didn't keep him from wanting to get to the course. The heat was too much for Jake, but he gave into Riley and they played 9 holes. The perk about playing in these awful conditions is the "new" kid didn't hold anyone up on the course. And the nice guy gave them the "Twilight" discount. So the two of them drank a ton of water and played some golf. Riley's first 9 holes, ever, he scored 85, and his best stroke was 5 at hole #2. Go, Riley!!

Serious Soccer

Im almost ready to call myself a "Soccer Mom." I forced Reece into doing a soccer academy last spring, and he loved it, so we went with it and we have him enrolled in just about anything soccer.
Last weekend, the high school coach, Mr. Adrian had a 3 session camp. Coach is also a coach at the boy's school, so that excited Reece. It was Friday night, Saturday morning and Saturday night. He enjoyed it!
Next up, at the end of July Reece will do a much more intense camp. It's a British soccer camp here in McPherson. It will be five days for 3 hours in the evening. I'm not sure why they chose the hottest time of the year, but if Reece is going to pick up some skills, it will be here!
Lastly, we have signed him up for the competitive Strikers league here in McPherson. It's so official, I even had to send in his birth certificate and a headshot. They play all of their games in Salina, and it is a fall and spring league. He is enrolled for an entire year.
I hope Reece continues to enjoy this hobby. My happiest times as a kid was loving and playing basketball, so I want that for him too!

All About Riley At Ten

So I gave Riley a questionaire to fill out about his favorites at 10. (Stole this from my fellow blogger, Erica ;) And here it is....
Favorite color: Red
Favorite dinner: Pizza Rolls (mom's style... which is from Pinterest )
Favorite dessert: KU cake.... wondering if it was just the most recent ;)
Favorite restaurant: Pizza Hut
Best Friend: Terry
Favorite TV show: Spongebob (since 18 months)
Favorite clothes: His Mario shirts
Favorite book: Ms. Daisy is Crazy!
Favorite movie: Spongebob movies
Favorite thing to do outside: 2 or 4 square (if only there was a league the boys could play in)
Favorite sport: Bowling and golf
Favorite food: Macaroni & Cheese
Favorite animal: Cat (it's probably the least threatening!)
Favorite game: Star Wars Battle Front 2 (PS2) Stratigo (Board)
What do you want to be when you grow up? Video game maker
***
A DECADE AGO....

Riley cost $11,092.51.... Thank GOD for insurance!!
A gallon of milk cost $2.68.
A loaf of bread cost $1.01.
A gallon of unleaded gas cost $1.36..... that sounds heavenly!
A stamp cost $0.34, but on July 4th it raised to $0.37.

Thanks for the best 10 years ever Riley!!

Riley's Day(s)

We hit a milestone in this house! Riley is a decade now! 

This past year has been a bit tough on Riley. His first year here was perfect, and life was lovely, but this year a sadness came out in him. People seem to think it's a growing phase, and he is just trying to figure out where he fits in. He has expressed to me, that he wishes he wouldn't have had to leave Gardner. Well.... I can't exactly take him back to Gardner, but if I could I would in a heartbeat, just for his sake! So, I did what I thought may be best, and brought a little "Gardner" to him for a couple of days. We invited his friend, Scott, down to celebrate his birthday with us. 

Wampah from Star Wars

We went swimming, to The Exploration Place in Wichita, and also did some GloGolf, but mostly these 3 boys (Reece included) played a ton of video games. I think it's the universal language for boys. Scott was quiet, but I sure do hope he had as much fun as Riley did.

At The Exploration Place (TEP) they had a Star Wars Exhibit. Lots of cool props and costumes from the actual movies. 

I had my Pinterest fun too.... Made a Crimson and Blue cake , the official colors of the Jayhawks. It's no LEGO, but it was pretty!!!

Trying to navigate a plane simulator at TEP.

The boys each made their own pizza dinners on night #1. It was pretty fun!!

Cousin, Aidan, joined us for TEP and GloGolf. They earned an Orange Julius afterwards,

Smiling, while we sing to him, hope he can blow ALL 10 candles out!

Reece won the first round, and Riley and Scott tied the second round.

This was so cute... Once Reece got his dough flattened, he kept sprinkling flour  on it, saying, "This is what real chefs do, the most serious voice.

This was Riley's 2nd gift (the first being Scott's visit and all the fun!)  I left Jake  to the shopping and  wrapping, and this is what he came up with. We are hoping Riley and Jake can create some good bonding time with this hobby!

Pretzels at the pool.... YUM!!!

Scott's last day here, we had such a lazy morning, so we went out for pancakes!

Birthday lunch at Applebee's! Silly boys!

This is how we treat the birthday boy! Stop getting older!!!

Reece talking a bunch of gibberish to me.... I don't know Star Wars!! Never seen a single episode! =)

Pretty sure Aidan is sizing up Mr. Vader....thinking he could take him on.

Making a wish!! Happy Birthday!!
(And yes, he got all the candles out!)

Thanks so much for coming to see us Scott!! Riley declared this his best birthday EVER! 

(Sorry about the pics being here and there and everywhere!! I don't understand my phone and blogging...but it's too convenient to not do it this way! )

Ten Years of Riley

Happy Birthday to my smart, funny, sweet, kind hearted, brown eyed boy!

Love you, Riley!