A Visit from Flat Stanley via Mila in California

An exciting visitor came to Kansas to see William from California via Mila & her her first grade class. While he was here, we were to show Stanley what Kansas is all about. We took him on quite a tour!

Flat Stanley came to my classroom to see where I teach!

 We took FS to Lawrence. We showed him the iconic Allen Fieldhouse! We checked out all the Jayhawk sports memorabilia and trophies. Of course, FS needed to see the original rules of basketball.

 

For some family history, we needed to stop by my & Aunt Meg's college sorority, Sigma Kappa. William had no idea what the house was, but he gladly sat for the picture ;)

Next, onto Topeka! We stopped at Bret's grandparents, Mary & Bill's. They are in their 90s and they are doing great! We wanted to take some time to visit with them. Most of the time when we see them, it's at a large family gathering so just having the three of us (plus Flat Stanley) spend time together.

Also in Topeka, we stopped at Bret's aunt & uncle and cousin's farm to visit the cows. It's calving season so we got to see the mamas and their babies. W got to feed them and get as close as the mamas would let him.

 

 William's PreK celebrated Read Across America Week with a popcorn & book tasting event. Luckily, FS was still in town and got to come along for the visit to W's school.

They even found & read Flat Stanley's books!

Just before FS needed to head back to CA, he checked out William's first soccer practice. He is old enough to be on a "real" team now (3v3, no goalie).

Fun Saturday

Just a regular Saturday at the Brown household. William sang some songs for us, then William and Bret did some wrestling, of course.

William has been doing chores at our house to collect in his give, save, & spend jars. We went to the store and W spent some of the "spend jar" on post-Christmas sale trucks. He chose the trucks & handed his money to the cashier to make the purchase himself. He is so proud of his trucks.

SUPER BOWL CHAMPS

What's that?! THE CHIEFS WON THE SUPER BOWL!!!!!

The KC Chiefs had an incredible season! We watch the games at our neighbor's house across the street (Jerry & Deb). The whole city was celebrating in the days up to the Super Bowl and then after. School was canceled the Wednesday after the Super Bowl for the Red Parade (we stayed home and watched it on tv to stay warm!). It was so fun to see the city come together behind the team in a celebration 50 years in the making!!

 

 

California Christmas - Just a Whole Lotta Pictures

Over my Christmas Break this season, we flew to California to visit Meg & family. It was a fun trip and there was so much time for the kids to just be cousins and have fun together. If only we could move the two states a little closer so we could do that more often!

Of course, we took a day to go to Knott's Berry Farm. 

mid-day nap

So much sweet cousin time!

We celebrated the (east coast) New Year as a family! Toasted with the kiddos and everyone was in bed by 10pm. Adulting is tough ;)

 

Family Time!

Treats for the cousins!

someone jumped in the ocean and got his pants wet....

hiding so W didn't have to leave for the airport