Random

• I forgot to post an adorable picture of Cora, Kayson and Tate from last Friday's swimming night...  too funny.  They barely can sit for 2 seconds.  :)

• Today I spent the day with Trish, Hope and Ash.  I met Trish and Hope in Ames at a bridal place to shop for Prom dresses... we seriously had so much fun, and Hope SERIOUSLY looks good in EVERYTHING.  Oh to be 16 again... and have boobs!  ha. :)  We left there (with 3 high contenders on the list), and met Ash for lunch in Ankeny.  Then on to another shop in Ankeny... finding NOTHING.  Back to Ames we went!  Hope narrowed it down and picked a great dress!!  Very exciting... and so fun.  Today was great!

•  It's still cold out... and I'm over it!  Apparently we are getting more snow on Friday too.  Again - over it.  Specifically cuz Ryan will be driving back from Kansas in that crap.  UGH.   I just told Kayson tonight that I can't wait for it to be nice enough that we can go to a park to play!!  That seems like FOREVER away!
• Cora's been getting ready for bed by 6:45 the last couple evenings...  She instantly is rubbing her eyes by 6:30 - more whiny than 'normal' - and I saw a draining ear tonight.  UGH!  So...  gonna watch that... did drops tonight and I hope we knock this out.  From daycare notes, it doesn't look like she's taking great naps, so she probably IS tired.  Seems like we don't see much of her when she's asleep by 7pm.  :(

• And another picture that is cute to me... 

Weekend Wrap Up

Friday
After Cora's 18 month appointment, I dropped her off at school... and we had a really rough drop off.  I don't do drop offs regularly (especially when Ryan is IN town), so doing this on a totally random day is hard...  I really don't like leaving her, but typically she does well.  Friday was a different story.  She cried and cried...  under my feet as I'm trying to explain to a teacher she had a shot and just 'watch her'...  the teacher was NOT helpful what-so-ever (just seemed not interested), which really upset me.  The other 7 kiddos were under my feet while the two teachers watched - literally.  It was almost like it was a slow motion movie...  nothing was happening except my daughter bawling and it upseting me.  I eventually swooped her up and just took her out to the hallway to 'talk' with her... she saw another teacher whom we know fairly well... and I just had that look - 'is someone going to help me?'  Miss Courtney ended up taking her... all while screaming...  I left.  And I hated every second of it.  Instant tears for me too.  Maybe I over-reacted, maybe not - but either way, I didn't feel that the teachers were much help at all...  really all they needed to do is take her from me to distract her...  Blah.  I just was blah... and was that way all Friday.  :(  She, of course, had a great day - they say.  

Friday evening I fed Cora quickly (cuz she can barely make it to 5:45 some nights!!) and then the kids and I met Mike & JeanAnn (and Tate) at a hotel near by to play/eat/swim for something different.  Ryan joined us a little later.  And we played... ordered in... and swam.  The kids did well - besides being SUPER loud in a hotel room!  Oops!  We let them swim...  forcing Ryan and I to get in the COLD water.  YUK!  ha.  Tater wasn't really having it (he was SO cold), but Kayson and Cora did pretty well... actually Cora did great - she really liked it.  

We swam for awhile... then headed home.  Cora - asleep in the car on the way home (a short 10 minute drive!)  
 
Saturday
Our Saturday morning was non-stop!  
First thing - Kayson's hair cut appointment... out of the way, and he's buzzed.  We scheduled these for every 6 weeks, and by the 5th week - we are saying 'BUZZ IT!!!'  Immediately following, we headed to swimming lessons.  He did good, I think.  He's definitely more comfortable, which is great...  just gotta keep going and he'll get it!

We got home from swimming and shortly after, Blair, Martina and Ryan and I headed out to the Blue Man Group show.  It was a gift from Mike & JeanAnn for Christmas...  great gift!  I had never seen the show, so I was anxious to see what it was 'all about'!  And it was GREAT!!  I was super impressed... and enjoyed myself.  

We had an appetizer and beer (water for Martina!) following... then headed back to the house.  From there, we finally just hung out!  Although, very busy still with the kiddos!  Mike & JeanAnn stuck around for supper in (pizza) and just played a little bit...  

It was a fun-filled Saturday!!!  I know I was pooped by 9pm!  :)

Sunday
Cora slept til 7:20.  Mark that down!  ha.  We've just hung out all day...  a grocery run for me and Cora...  playing... a movie for Kayson...  more playing... and crabby cuz it's Sunday!  Oh that vicsious cycle.  :)

Here are a few phone pictures of our weekend.

and lastly, my sister, Jill has really thought that Cora resembles Ash... which I agree.  She has the Hardy features.  Ash went home to Clarion this weekend and sent me a couple pictures of her as a little girl.  This one is her at 18 months, just like Cora.  I can definitely see the resemblance (in her eyes - Hardy eyes), but some difference in her cheeks... Ashy's are really CHUBBY.  :)  I love it though...  even if they didn't look that much alike, Ashley LOVES the fact that Cora is named after her and that is so special to me. 

Ashley - 18 months

Cora - 18 Months

Cora is officially a year and a half (as of Thursday)!  She's such a big girl... has such a big personality... and has such a temper too!  :)  

Here are her stats from this morning's appointment:
Weight: 27 lbs. 12 oz. (95%)
Height: 32" (55%)
Head: 19" (90%)

• Size 4 diapers
• I think - 12 teeth - she's got 2 of her molars - almost all the way through, the others are working through.  (Not a big fan of me feeling in her mouth!)
• Clothes - mostly 2T, but to be honest, I haven't bought anything for her in over 2 months, so 2T is my guess!  
• Shoes - probably size 5...  again, haven't bought anything for her, so not 100% sure!
• Loves to read books - we'll still find her sitting quietly looking through her books.  I love it.  It melts me every time. 
• She talks a lot - and still does a lot of babbling, but looks at you like we should know what she's saying!  Says: Momma, Dada (actually just Dad), Brother, Papa, woof, more, please, ball, puppy, bath, up, shoes, hat, Love You (ok - so she repeats that and it doesn't sound like Love You, but I know it is!)
• Gives kisses when asked by Dad.  :)
• She loves to color - whether she has a pen that doesn't work, or she has crayons, she loves paper and 'scribbling'!
• Eating is going ok...  typical roller-coaster diet for her.  She does really well, then not so well for a couple days.  She LOVES yogurt and could have that at every meal and snack if we let her.  
• Sleeping: Naps for about 1.5 to 2 hours in the afternoon only.  I still don't think that's long enough, but that's what she does!  Bedtime is 7:15 pm (typically asleep within minutes) and wakes by 6:30 am every morning.  We can't get this girl to sleep past 6:45.
• Loves music... and dancing.  

She still hates to be changed and dressed - she just doesn't want to sit still (for that!).  We've tried moving her to floor or even out to the living room to maybe sit still a little longer, but she still hates it... so it's a consensus, if you don't have to change her diaper or dress her, she's fine.  ha. 

We are trying to put bows in her hair...  she won't wear them at school, but if we are home (or out), I'd prefer to have something in her hair.  Her hair is getting REALLY long and she really could look like a little boy if she was wearing blue.  :)  

Everything she's doing seems to be right on track.  I looked back at Kayson's 18 month notes, and I had written that he was saying a TON more stuff...  he still does talk a lot, so I'm chalking that up to her being the second child. 

I love picking her up from school...  she gets so excited - she runs and almost cries because she is thrilled to see Kayson and me.  I love it.  

Kayson's Words & Numbers

So almost every night (for the past week or so), Kayson comes home and tells us that he can spell a new word.  I'm completely amazed (and proud) of the things he's learning and doing.  What an awesome feeling.

These are the words he knows how to spell and recognizes regularly:
Kayson, Cora, Dad, Mom, Janelle, Taylor, my, and, red, green, look, by, bye, as, is, dog, Riley, Adalyn, Tate, Grant, Ella
 
There's probably more...  but those are what I remembered tonight!  :)

He knows all numbers through at least 110...  but he said to me "it's the same as 20, but with a one hundred in front when the numbers get really big."  Pretty much buddy.  Again - awesome.  

Kindergarten - Part 1

This evening, the Waukee district office opened their doors for parents to come on a 'come and go' basis to ask questions and meet a few of the Principals of the schools.  I had a few questions, and felt we needed to go.  

We had a teacher from daycare stay with the kids for an hour... and we were off.  Of course, we had no idea what to expect (actually - I thought there would be a huge line and loads of parents there, worried we wouldn't get any time to really 'talk'), but I was wrong.  There was one other parent there at the same time.  Perfect.  It went well... we sat down with a few Principals and just asked questions and they talked.  A lot of the stuff they told us will be told to us again at a later date, but I felt some ease having this opportunity to meet and listen.  I liked it.  

We also had the chance to talk with the person who (I guess) is in charge of the before and after school program - Beyond the Bell.  Our daycare won't transport Kayson to and from, so our only option is utilizing the before and after program at school.  We got some basics from her and there, too, I felt comfortable with what we heard.  

All in all, it was good...  I'm glad we took the 40 minutes to step away and get some more information.  With this being our 'first' time...  it just helped... 

There will be several more 'parts' to our Kindergarten prep...   I'm excited and looking forward to seeing what's to come and get Kayson prepped for real school!  :)

Our Wild Kids

We've had a good weekend... as always, it's over, and went too fast!
Saturday was a day at home with a few errands...  K had swimming.  Ryan took him this week.  Ryan used a good word for him - "he's a rock".... meaning, he sinks fast.  Kayson's definitely doing better in the water, but there's still a ways to go...  since I know NOTHING about swimming, I am just trying really hard to stay positive and hope one of these lessons, Kayson will just start swimming (like the little girl in his lessons - she's a fish!).  Anyway, after naps, Kayson and I ran to Target to get a birthday gift for his little friend, Ella.  

And then Saturday night... after 6 weeks... we ventured out and had dinner out.  We did El Rodeo - we kept it familiar, family style (meaning - it's loud there) and fairly quick.  All in all, the kids did great.  Kayson ate everything in sight, which was awesome!  and Cora did well too.  No fits, she ate fairly well... and we were outta there in an hour.  Pleased.  Now... if we do this again - we are prepared for the worst.  I'm guessing this was just a 'tease'.  :)

Today Kayson had a birthday party to go to - again at Pump It Up.  We are regulars there!  He had an absolute blast... and I had a nice time visiting with the Moms and Dads.  We talked Kindergarten!!!  And also planning a little get together for the kids this summer...  It was a quick couple of hours.  Meanwhile, Cora had a SUPER short nap, so her and I went to the store while Kayson napped.  She did pretty well too.  

This afternoon we have just played and putzed around... it's been a good day.  And the pictures below show some of the wildness that happened tonight...  usually after supper!  The kids got rowdy and pretty funny...  then mad when it's bath time!  Figures!  :)

Skinny, wild boy.

Obsessed with these sunglasses... (eating breakfast!)

Love that smile!

Naked.  Yes.

Some quiet time - writing.  He amazes me.

The boys peeking at Cora... lots of giggles!

Again, with the sunglasses.  :)

See the video of the kids doing Ring around the Rosey!
https://picasaweb.google.com/104170235914356154906/Kayson45YearsOldWinter20132014#5981181405102241810

Valentine's Day 2014

Like I said in yesterday's post - we didn't really do anything for Valentine's Day.  As the day went on, I felt bad...  so this afternoon a department near mine was having a Bake Sale.  I picked up two cuppie-cakes for the kids.  There.  ha.  Super Mom right?!  

Cora ate the darn thing up in like 2 minutes...  frosting and all.   Yuk.  ha.  Kayson had his after supper.

The kids had good days at school.  I was told Cora was great - ate well and had a little piece of chocolate (for their Valentine's 'party').  I was then told she was wild for a bit.  Really?!  ha.  Oh well.  Kayson had a good day too. They had a party at school which included exchanging their Valentine's (he got a TON of stuff), and they had chocolate covered strawberries.  Sounds fun to me.  

Tonight we just stayed in... we ordered pizza from Gusto up the street and had a fairly good night.  Well - minus the near explosion from Cora.  We are told she has great days, and the second we walk in the door, she's crying/screaming/throwing herself on the floor.  I do everything in my power not to freak out myself.  I know she's hungry, so I give her a snack (that lasts 2 seconds)... in the mean time I have to make supper.  You've heard it all before - just not enough time in the day.  :)  Right?!?  Anyway, she had a meltdown tonight after supper... so Ryan took her to her room (for some quiet time and to maybe 'chill' out)... and she eventually fell asleep ON HER FLOOR for about 30 minutes.  I didn't have time to take a picture of her - and to be honest, I didn't want to wake her!  Don't wake the monster!

Anyway, she was a little better after her rest...  then bed for her... and a meltdown from Kayson.  Oh boy.  I'm ready to have a new day - and maybe two kids that are happy for US.  Ugh.

I'm glad the work week is over.  I'm ready for a little break.  We don't have big plans this weekend, which is great again.  

Here are a few pictures from today - my little Valentine's.  (When Cora was happy.)  

"Sorry Boys, Dad said I can't date!"

Cheesy.

Looking at ALL his treats!

Reading to sister.

This & That

• When I'm getting Cora ready for bath - I get her undressed in the bathroom while the water is warming up...  and every night (while naked), she runs to the closet and sits or lays down and laughs and laughs.  She sometimes then gives me a fit getting into the tub, but she really does love it.  
• Kayson filled out his Valentine's tonight for school.  I probably need to do a better job at this - we just bought some of those card things - stuck a Dum Dum sucker on them and called it good.  Is that good enough?  I guess we just don't make a big deal out of this stuff...?  I might regret that - and then K and Cora may not make a big deal of it when they are parents.  
• Wednesday night I got together with some of my VB friends...  a few of them I hadn't seen in over a year.  It was GREAT catching up with them... and I was out way longer than I thought I would be.  I always hesitate going out for dinner (which I know I shouldn't), but I need a break from time to time.  I sure hope that's normal... and Ryan doesn't think less of me.  :)
• For our Valentine's night we are going to order pizza in... good pizza - Gusto.  ha.   I told Ryan I just didn't want to cook.  Done.
• It was warmer today - like 41 when I was heading home.  It was heavenly.  :)  Crazy how 20 degrees can make such a difference!
• Trish and Hope asked me to go Prom dress shopping with them this year... and I can't wait!  Since their weekends are completely full with VB and BB, we are doing the shopping during the week...  even better!  Selfishly, I need a break from work too...  and it'll work out good - with the project schedule and all.  Double bonus.
• Cora has a little temper.  Well - I should change that to 'large' temper.  She's a pistol.  She's starting to hit too...  oh boy.  We are so going to have our hands full!

CatchUp

Seriously, it's Sunday night already.  Where does the time go?!?!?  
We had a good week.  I am so busy at work...  aaaa... it's all good, but wow, we are busy.  We (mainly Principal Financial Group), has some gigantic goals in 2014 and my area is the area to go to get those goals met!  Retirement Readiness is key.  (Some of you are thinking - what the hell is that?!?)  It's just what it sounds like - getting ready for retirement!  We educate and produce estimated numbers for our clients (and their employees) on how to be more retirement ready.  It's cool... and also a lot of work too.  So... I'm busy!

Again, where does the time go?  It was just another week - work, home, eat, bed and repeat.  It seems like things would slow down when we do our same routine over and over, but for some reason Sunday through Friday fly... and Saturday and Sundays are gone in a blink too!  

Friday night I did go out with some friends.  My friend, Jessica, asked some of her friends out to celebrate her birthday.  I'm SO glad she asked me and SO glad it worked out!  She's friends with my neighbor Nicky too, so Nick and I got to spend some time together too.  It was a great couple hours for drinks, good food and tons of laughter.  

Saturday was Kayson's swimming lessons...  3rd week and he did awesome.  I was so excited.  He doesn't seem AS hesitant and is trying new things too.  He even had those tubie things and 'swam' quite aways with just those.  Personally, I was impressed and had a smile on my face the whole time. Saturday afternoon we decided to get out of the house...  a trip to the mall.  Ooh how so exciting.  ha. We let the kids play and then just walked around a little... as much as they would let us!  We had a quick supper there and headed home.  Good evening. 

Today was a day at home too...  no laundry, just hanging out.  (with the kids driving us crazy!)  haha. :)  I joke.  It was a nice day at home... 

Cora's been a cry baby again...  we know she's getting more teeth (actually her molars), but I just feel like she crys (and screams!) A LOT.  (Maybe she's just loud?!?!?)  :)  I read some of Kayson's notes at this age, he did the same thing...  so I suppose it's 'normal' for our kids??   Kayson's been pretty good too...  things are going better at school - he's not getting into trouble as much, so we are thrilled!  He's been helpful at home...  but also super wild! I'm ready for warmer weather to get him outside!!!

Here's to another week - that I'm sure will go speedy fast again!

Weekend is over!

It's Monday already...  been almost a week since I've posted!  Time flies. 

Our weekend was pretty nice...  we did a lot of hanging out at home.  Sunday - we didn't go anywhere!  Saturday morning Kayson had swimming lessons...  Ryan said he did well, much better than last week!  (Not nearly as hesitant, so that's great!)  Once they got home, my sister, Trish and niece, Eden came to stay with the kids.  Ryan and I went out to Bacon Fest for the second year.  We are invited through his work...   We had a really good time...  nice to get away just us.  The kids had a good time with Trish, she's so good with them.  They did art, play-doh, more art, and just playing.  The kids were tired after they left!  ha.  

Saturday night we just stayed in...  

Sunday we stuck around the house too.  I did some cleaning and laundry.  But otherwise, it was a pretty lazy day.  We were anticipating a great Super Bowl game - cheering for the Broncos... and unfortunately, they got 'killed'.  It was pretty depressing to watch... big bummer!  

This morning Kayson had a dentist appointment - his 4th appointment.  Each time it gets easier and easier.  The doctor just came in right up front and did everything...  we didn't even see the hygienist.  The doc went fast and Kayson did great - he got polished teeth, fluoride and even let him floss them!   I was thrilled.  :)

A busy day at work happened - and I headed out a little early to get Kayson signed up for Kindergarten!  Yes, my kid will be in school this fall.  Unbelievable!  :)  It was just the 'first' part of the enrollment... in early March, we'll have the official registration.  I'm excited for him... and a little nervous!  I just want him to do well!!  :)

We've had a quiet night tonight too...  Cora's running a low fever, thinking just teeth... and even Kayson was warm too.  He told me tonight that his ear hurts...  so we'll keep an eye on him too.  Cora was asleep at 7:30 - Kayson at 8:00.  Quiet night for Ryan and I!

She's growing so fast... and so pretty with her bow!

after "Peek-a-Boo"

Oh my wild children!

Go Broncos!!!