This summer Dale converted the attic space into a play cave. It started out as gross, unusable attic space- no walls or floors even. Dale closed it all in, added insulation, electricity, heat and air conditioning (and a secret entrance). Now it is an amazing space! The kids love it!
You can see the entrance in the floor (we still need a trap door)...
Reagan attended cheer camp this morning. Kids in grades K-6 could come and learn cheers from the high school cheerleaders. This afternoon the campers got to cheer at half time of the football game.
Reagan was a bit apprehensive because she had no friends attending camp. However, we asked if she could be in Karagon's group (she is our babysitter) so all went well...
Reagan was very serious while cheering. I asked her if she had a good time. She said, "I had the BEST time!" So then I asked her why she didn't smile. She informed me that she was focusing too hard to smile. We agreed that next time she would work on smiling...
It was so fun to watch my sweet girl. I have visions of her cheering on this same track in 10 years.
Saturday night Dale and I went with our friends, Craig and Sarah, to the roller derby. Can you believe that St. Louis has it's own roller derby league?! They are called the St. Louis Gatekeepers and their bouts are in Ballwin at Queeny Park.
It started out bit fishy because we had to go in the back "door". If you can call it a door- it was actually a large garage style door near the rear of the building. It was a bit ominous. After everyone was in they sealed it shut. Seemed a bit "Hunger Games-ish" to me. I wasn't sure if we would all come out alive but we were already in and there was beer so no need to worry. Right?!
The first bout was womens. The Granny Panties vs. Team Leotard. It was quite a show. The Granny Panties actually wore granny panties and some of the Team Leotards wore thongs over their hose (hose or tights? not sure) and truly you saw their cheeks! Some of our favorite roller derby names were: Chewblocka, Holland Oats, Artemischief, and Boom Boom Pow.
The bout started and it took us awhile to catch on. There's a jammer, a pivot and 3 blockers per team. The goal is for the jammer to score points by legally lapping the opposing team members. The 1 hour bout is broken up into 2 minute jams (and a half time). The lead jammer controls the jam. There are many rules and lots of illegal moves that I never caught on to. It is a bit complex in it's simplicity! You should read up in it.
The 2nd bout was a championship turf war. You heard that right. Beachys went to a turf war. South Grand Slammers vs. Dogtown Rockets. Our favorite mens names were: Gnat King Kill, Neil Death Experience, Double Excel (he was HUGE), and my personal fav... Magnum P.I.M.P. :) We chose to root for the underdogs- the Slammers. The mens bout was WAY more exciting. We were one bout in and felt like seasoned vets. So we understood everything. :) It was fun! Oh, and our team won!
The four of us decided that everyone should have a roller derby name. I am not creative so it may take me years but Dale has already come up with his: Son-of-a-Beach.
If you have never been to the roller derby you should go. Check it out here.
After school today we headed to the City Museum. It was the perfect evening- crisp fall air and very few people. We ran around like we owned the place! I snapped a few pictures from our rooftop adventure. We were climbing around on structures 12 stories up! The roof is my favorite part of the museum but I constantly have to remind myself that, even though we are ON TOP OF A ROOF, it's safe. Thankfully Dale rode the ferris wheel with Carsyn. I couldn't bring myself to ride it today- too windy. 
This weekend we went camping at St. Francois State Park. It's the first time we used our camper since our big trip in June.
I love this picture of C. She is always biting her shirt- it actually infuriates me but i'm not sure she even knows she is doing it...
Luke and Reagan had a play date yesterday so Carysn and I had a bit of girl time. I picked her up a few minutes early from school and we headed out for ice cream. We tried something new and it was fabulous! After enjoying our sweet treat we headed to Barnes and Noble to pick out a new chapter book. Carsyn has been reading every spare minute. I am so thankful she loves to read. It was nice to spend time just the two of us. We had a great time together...
Reagan has been asking to take ballet lesson for about 6 months. We finally found a class that fits our schedule and ,thankfully, is near our house. Her first class was last night. She had so much fun! I am so glad she likes it... 
