Sunday!

Our Sunday has been great!  
We had kids that slept in today!  Cora - 7:15 (and Daddy got up with her!!)... Kayson - about 8:20... and Momma about 8:40.  'Holy buckets' as Kayson would say!  :)  It was FANTASTIC... and just what this Momma needed.

Ryan made breakfast - french toast, which everyone loved!  Then it was time to just play and hang out.  We did play outside a little today - even in the strong winds.  I cleaned out my car... and while that was happening, Kayson and Cora played in the garage for a bit.  Missy Moo did get into trouble though -- she dumped (literally) a whole thing of bubbles all over her - coat, pants, and shoes.  AWESOME.  More laundry for me!  

Great naps were taken...  Ryan and I both cleaned a little while they napped.  Ryan did the blinds in the living room (huge thank you!), and the ceiling fans.  Checked off the list!  I did more laundry, bathrooms were done and even the baseboards!  Whoohoo!

We grilled out tonight... burgers and dogs.  Great ending to our Sunday.  Kayson's watching a movie... Ryan's putting Cora to bed... 

The rest of our weekend was good too.  Friday night we had some friends over, Christina & Justin and their little boy, Kael. The kids played really well and us adults had some great laughs.  We let the kids (well, the boys) watch Frozen as well...  they were in heaven!  :)  

Saturday we got up and met Mike, JeanAnn, Blair and Tate at the mall... operation - buy Kayson a bike!  (Easter gift from Papa and Grandma).  We got that done fairly quickly... let the kids play (which they ran and ran!)... had lunch out too, having Martina join us.   Kids took naps, Ryan and I got away and picked out the pavers for the patio that's going in SOON!!!  And we got groceries.  Great alone time.  ha.  :)  

Saturday night we just stayed in... ordered Chinese and just played.  I believe I fell asleep on the couch around 9:00...  I eventually moved to the bed around 9:45.  ha.  Sleepy I guess!  Especially since I slept in today!  

Umm...  I think that's it.  It's been a nice weekend.  We had the windows open today, which was amazing.  I think the fresh air (even if it was cooler and WINDY), was just what we all needed.  I'm ready for Spring!

Kiddos...  I washed the fabric of Cora's chair, but they still used it!

Wearing Tate's hat.  Adorable.

The boys!!

And wrestling in our house... Cora is always involved, and under if she can be.

Pictures

My family.  My loves.  Not very often is it that BOTH kids are sitting with Daddy (or me)... and Kayson hopped up, then Cora wanted up.  PICTURE TIME.  I don't even care that Kayson's making a face - I love it.  :)  (Goal - get a family picture soon!)

Who's handsome???  Yes, Kayson is.  He's growing.  Growing up.  At the age of 5 he really gets things now... and I love it.  I also love that when he gives hugs to me - he really hugs.  He means it.  He knows what it means, and how good it feels to be hugged.  I love that.  He's got a sensitive side to him (which I suppose we could think that's kind of being a wuss), but I like it too.  We watched "Frozen" last night and he got a little teary eyed when Elsa and Ana hug and 'thaw' everything...  it's so sweet to see him have feelings like that.  Amazing.

Cora's first (and potentially only) ponytail.  :)  She let me do this one evening last week... and it lasted about 5 minutes.  I thought that was pretty good!  Her hair is a mess... it's long, it's a mullet, it's straight and really not that cute.  (If I hear someone say it's cute - I really don't believe them!) ha.  Anyway, I struggle with what to do with it - if she was a boy - it would be buzzed off in 2 seconds!!!  BUT - we can't do that.  :)  So... we just wait and see what happens.  I may talk with Lacey and she if she suggests anything...  eeeh!

She loves being outside.  This picture was from a decent night last week... Daddy was grilling and the kids were enjoyed the weather too.  She loves to do anything Kayson does - so he was in a chair, so she got in a chair too.  Cora's really talking (babbling) a lot lately...  it's so sweet, fun and frustrating at the same time!  I'm ready for real words... but then that means she's getting bigger.  (and...see her bad hair?!?!)

Things have been going well lately...  Kayson's working on his 'graduation' songs at school.  He talks about it all the time.  He's back to being Riley's boyfriend.  :)  He's been having good days.    Cora, too, has been pretty good...  she's getting an eye-tooth which has been bothering her.  Tonight she had a messy diaper and her bottom was fire-engine red.  It was so sore!!!  So... we are watching that... doing drops in her ears (just in case) and Orajel for her teeth.  We'll get through it...  it's usually bad for about a week, so I hope we are in the middle of it.

Snowflakes in March

The kids caught snowflakes tonight... so cute!!!

Weekend

Friday
Dinner out at El Rodeo...  we are getting a little more brave about going out.  Cora's getting a LITTLE better...  eh.  Kinda.  It was a fine trip.  The rest of the night was cleaning a little... and that's about it. 

Saturday
Up and at 'em early.  Gosh, getting up early on a weekend just plain stinks!!  So we started our day!  Ryan went to work... the kids and I went up to Ankeny to watch Eden and Lindsay play in the State AAU VB tourney.  Our goal was to stick around until lunch time... then head home, and we were successful.  Kayson did great... he sat nicely, watched a little... then somehow talked Ashley into letting him have her phone.  Oh electronics!!!  Cora was BUSY.  She did fine for about the first 45 minutes - acting shy.  Yah, not sure where she gets that!  Then she was comfortable... really.  She wanted to climb up and down the bleachers...  walk around... run a little... eat some...  busy girl.  It was all fine, but I do wish I would have been able to actually WATCH the girls play!  Oh well.  I had a nice time.  Ryan was able to come watch a bit too, so that was super nice.  We had a quick lunch on our way home...  

Naps were taken...  then JeanAnn and I ran to the mall to return some items that I bought - the pants for Kayson.  Yah, they didn't work - way too big and too long.  But the size smaller is too short.  REALLY??!?!  I can't possibly have the only little boy that's tall and SKINNY!  Anyway, we shopped a little... and quickly my kids had Easter outfits thanks to Grandma!  ;)  Way cute stuff.  

Saturday evening, Ryan and I headed back up to Ankeny to hang out with our friends Jamie and Travis - they host a Bunco night every year.  (Last year we missed).  It's a good turn out - great food - great fun. We walked away losers, but that's ok.  I had a good time. 

Sunday
A day at home... laundry, cleaning and playing.  Again, we were up early - but Cora actually took a morning nap.  She was just out of control whiny by 9:00...  I layed her down, she cried for about 3 minutes... and slept over an hour and a half!  And she took an afternoon nap!  Tired, growing girl?!?!

Tonight I did get out and have dinner with Nicky and Nikki.  It was a nice dinner... lots of kid talk, realizing our kids are growing up so darn fast.  

Here are some camera pictures of the weekend.

with my nieces, Lindsay & Eden

My babies.  Growing way too fast.  

K & Eden

The girls at Bunco!

This Week

Seems like it's been a long week...  

It's Spring Break for a lot of kids... and it shows at work too.  All the parents of those kids are off as well!  Which this is one nice thing -- this means there's hardly anyone on the roads in the morning - so my commute to work is AWESOME!  :)  But with that...  it's super quiet at work, which has it's benefits, but also some draw-backs.  I'm heavy into big projects... but I can't get much done, if I get 'stuck'.  So... it just seems like it's been a long week!!  

I had lunch with my friend Katie today.  She used to work with me... and we've kept in touch, which I'm thankful for.  We had such a nice lunch...  nice to get away... nice to see her!

We've enjoyed some fairly decent weather this week... still a little brisk, but it's getting better.  Tonight the kids and I were able to be outside for awhile and not freeze.  The sun was nice and warm.  Kayson and I played a little baseball - he did pretty well...  and Cora just walked around holding a soccer ball and wearing Kayson's bike helmet.  Yes - weird.  :)

Tonight we had our friend, Whitney, stop by...  she used to be a teacher at daycare and we've continued to keep in touch.  It was so nice to have her here for a short while.  The kids did great and let Ryan, Whitney and I just chit-chat.  Good evening.

We ended up getting Kayson a few more pants.  He's been looking like he's going to a flood for weeks now... so I broke down and bought a few pants.  He'll need them on Spring/Summer evenings... so it's a fine purchase.  Now we just wait for them to arrive. 

I've started looking at bedding and decorations for Kayson's room.  I'm really wanting to move along at updating this space.  It's my goal.  :)  

That's all I've got.  I'll get the camera out this weekend...  we've got some things planned for Saturday... and hopefully a relaxing Sunday! 

Kayson & His Girlfriend(s)

Kayson has had his little girlfriend, Riley, for years now...  they have been together at daycare for literally 5 years... starting together at 12 weeks old (she's just about 3 weeks younger than K).  We've seen Riley grow up just like Kayson... and she is a really sweet little girl.  It's not very often you get hugs from another child from daycare... I do, and I love it!!! 

Well, we've learned that Kayson is a little 'player'.  He's always played with the little girls... always been their friends, etc.  He's recently been fond of another little girl, Adalyn.  Adalyn recently got her hair chopped off - it was probably down to her waist, and now it's a cute little bob.  (by far - the cutest little thing I've seen!)  Anyway, this was a conversation that Kayson and I had last week:

Kayson: I’m going to marry Adalyn now.

Me: Why’s that?  What happened to Riley?

Kayson: Adalyn’s hair is pretty.

Me: Well Riley’s hair is pretty too hun… she wears hers in a ponytail a lot huh?

Kayson: If she’d let her hair down, I’d marry her then. 

Where do they get this stuff?!?! 

So I proceeded to tell Riley's mom about my conversation... and this is the 'deep' conversation that her and Riley had a few days later:

Riley: Kayson is going to marry Adalyn now because he likes her better for now.

Me: Oh, are you ok with that? I know you and Kayson have been planning your wedding for a long time.

Riley: I’m ok... Kayson will get bored with Adalyn in a few days and then he will be my boyfriend again.

Me: Ok... so are you just going to wait for him?

Riley: Yes.

OMG!  :)  I love it... I giggle...  a tear comes to my eyes too.  These kids.  The stories we have to tell!!!  What makes me sad is starting in August, these two will not be together every day...  I really hope we can keep in touch with Riley!!!

Saturday's This & That

I'm always ready for the weekends...  especially after a week with Ryan being gone and work being so crazy.  But when our Saturday begins at 5:30 (with Cora fussing around then... and then getting up at 6:30), I'm tired, and think that I should just go to work!  ha.  Maybe we'll sleep in when the kids are 10?!?!  ha.  

Anyway, we got our day started...  just hung around the house, being rather lazy in the morning.  Kayson has his last swimming lesson for this session.  I've got to get him signed up again.  Then after lunch, kids napped (Cora only sleeping maybe an hourish), I finally figured I'd better do something today.  I started cleaning a little - re-arranged her room, kids helped wipe down the wanes coating.  They actually were big help!  I got groceries... cleaned a little more (with the kids' help again!)... then because Kayson was getting to be naughty and only wanting the iPad - we went to the park.  UM... BRRR cold.  Oops.  Oh well, we were there for about 25 minutes, the kids did great and got their VERY fresh air!  

Tonight Kayson and Ryan (and me a little) have been watching Despicable Me.  Cute movie.  I cleaned some more... got that damn kitchen floor scrubbed.  Now nobody walk on it!  :)  I joke. 

Here are some pictures from today...  love these munchkins who sometimes drive us crazy!!

Laying with his sleeping bag he got for his birthday... finally getting it out!

My little helpers!

She knows she's not supposed to be on the table.

Fresh air for Mr.

This didn't last long, but it's so cute!

Anxious, Antsy & a little Overwhelmed!

That's quite a mixture of thoughts isn't it??  

• I'm ready for Spring - but that means buying clothes for the kids... I could use a new wardrobe too!  Cora needs shoes - like cute girlie shoes, not tennis shoes.  (she would look funny in dresses or capris and tennis shoes don't ya think?!?!)  I have no idea what size, so therefore that will require her to shop with me.  That brings me anxiety.  ha.
• I should be cleaning... doing something.  I don't have the energy.  I see dust... I see a cob-web too.  GAWD.  Bathrooms need scrubbed.  Baseboards need wiped down.  Basements needs organized (again).  Kitchen floor has been screaming at me for weeks - CLEAN ME.  And I just stare at it... walk on it...  watch things get spilled on it...  you would think I was a slob, and I'm not.  It WILL get cleaned this weekend!
• Work is OUT OF CONTROL busy.  All good things...  I'd much rather be busy, then twiddling my thumbs.  We are hot and heavy into projects plus other daily work.  I was extremely overwhelmed today/the entire week actually.  So I'm thankful for the weekend... to hopefully re-group and reset, ready myself for Monday.
• I hope to have a good family weekend...  Ryan's exhausted from traveling... I'm tired from being solo Mom.  We are a load of fun tonight.  I hope to get a good nights rest...  be productive, but also relax a little.  Maybe this weekend will go slow.  I can only hope.
• With Spring arriving... (which is AWESOME)... Kayson needs a bike.  We gave his other one to Tate.  This is a good thing, but brings me anxiety trying to get him comfortable with riding again.  :)
• I'd love to do some home stuff...  I'm dreaming of a new, re-organized laundry room.  I'm dreaming of making Kayson's room a true big boy room.  It's pretty 'blah' now...  a bunch of baby stuff...  he's 5.  We should spruce it up.  
• I need to start prepping for the garage sale I'm having again...  we have some bigger items to sell this time, which I'm excited about...  it's just the prep work is A LOT!

I'm going to bed...  maybe that'll relax my mind!!!

Kayson & Cora Update

Kayson

• He talks ALL.THE.TIME.  *giggle*  I have to giggle about it... because we are told he talks a lot at school... we KNOW he talks a lot at home... (at supper, at bath, at bedtime - non-stop!), but when he's around certain people or in certain situations, the kid is a mute.  It's so funny.  
• He is spelling more words... which I think is awesome!
• He's ready for warmer weather - as we are too.  I'm ready for it for clothes purposes - this kid just is growing like crazy.  All his pants look like he's going through a flood!  :)  I'm ready to shop!  :)

Cora

• She's been eating some 'new' things... like pizza and ravioli.  (That's big!)  She still refuses to eat any 'sides' - like fruit or veggies, unless they are mashed up in a squeeze pouch.  I think she has a texture issue...  I don't know!  
• She's learned the word "NO".  All I have to say is - oh boy!  Everything we ask her is answered with a "No" and shows her little temper.  Yep - temper.
• She's just talking more I think.  Sure the words are not clear, but she knows what's going on in that little head!  I was told last week that she had a serious conversation on a fake phone at school for about 10 minutes.  Oh I wish I would have had a video of that!
• She loves to look at pictures... she gets her album out and points/talks to all the pictures - especially the "baby".  :)

Our Saturday

It's been a good day... it's gone fast, but slow as well...  that's kind of weird to say.
We were up early, as always...  gosh, I would love to sleep til 7:30.  ha.  I realized though, I wake up around 5:30 no matter what... then I toss and turn...  and by 6:30, it's time to just get up.  But I'm still SO TIRED!

Ryan worked this morning...  and had a work meeting as well, so I was in charge of taking both kiddos to Kayson's swim lessons.  I was a little worried how Cora would do, not only that - but worried about how K was going to do!!  All in all - it went well.  Kayson wasn't hesitant at all - so super proud of him!  He did great.  And Cora was her busy self - and wanted in the pool, but snacks distracted her, and just walking around.  It was a quick 30 minutes!

Lunch was had... and naps by all of us.  Oh that's wonderful.  :)  K and I got groceries - he actually wanted to come with me for a change.  Playing, supper, more playing, and bed for the kids.  My mind now is racing on all the things I want to do...  1) cleaning out the pantry.  Oh that darn 'room' is such an annoyance!  I'm going to tackle that after this post.  Be with me!  2) just cleaning in general...  it's never ending right?  I told Ryan I need a day (or 3) to clean EVERYTHING from top to bottom.  3) and sleep.  :)  teehee.

Here are some pictures from this week...and today!

Playing a little music.

Likes hockey... but he's gotta get a little tougher.  :)

Oh missy moo.

My clean girl.

Random

• I got promoted today!!  WhooHoo!  I had been working towards this... and over the past month or so, I knew that promotions and compensation had already been 'settled/approved'.  I had a quick conversation with my leader a couple weeks ago explaining I was frustrated with something - someone on my team... expressing that I do his job PLUS more and I'm not at his level.  She smiled at me... and said, it'll all work out.  Today it did.  I'm pleased... happy that it happened.  
• I removed our heated blanket from our bed a couple weeks ago...  DUMB choice!!  ha.  The last week or so Ryan and I are shivering when we get into bed.  It's so funny.
• Speaking of weather...  OVER.IT!  I'm tired of the cold...  I'm tired of the snow (what seems to be all the time - but it's not!)...  I'm just ready for warm weather.  I'm dreaming of windows cracked here at home...  fresh air... warm sun... aaaa - Heaven!
• I had a jewelry party (book party) a month ago, and got all the jewelry I ordered this past weekend.  Whoo - I love it all!  I got some amazing deals!   Ryan and I have talked about me doing something like that on the side...  I've been thinking about it more and more.  I don't want to do anything where actual parties are required - I just don't have time for that (especially when Ryan is travelling), so I'd rather have something that is just casual - like the jewelry, or maybe like Tastefully Simple.  I don't know... we'll see what comes!
• Cora has TERRIBLE dry skin.  Daycare actually called this afternoon to express their concern. Cora's arms and legs are so dry... even patchy.  I'm going to watch it, and potentially take her in.  I don't know what else to do??  Any suggestions would be great.
• I started working out again.  I went three times last week...  and then today.  I've just started with the elliptical, and it's going well.  The first day though - I was so bored after 6 minutes.  UGH.  I just get so distracted... and can't keep focus.  BUT - the remaining times have been a little easier.  I've got to stick with it.  I'm going to try a class on Thursday...  I need to get these arms toned again. 

Night Out/Busy Saturday

Friday night we went out with friends...  Ryan unfortunately had to be out of town Thursday through Friday, and he got home later than we had thought, but he was a sport and came out once he got home and cleaned up.  We got together with Carpenter's, Nielsen's and a few other couples, including our friends, Jessica and Steve.  We had a great dinner out...  enjoying not being rushed and just having some great laughs.  We had a really nice time.   Ash stayed with the kids, which was great too.

This morning Miss Cora was up at 6:15.  UGH.  It makes me tired just thinking about it... ha.  We snuggled for about 40 minutes... and she did snooze for about 5...  then she was ready to start the day!  I got cleaned up and her and I headed to Gilbert to watch Hope play some volleyball.  I hadn't seen her play yet this AAU season, so this was the closest location...  we had a nice time, Cora did really well.  We didn't stay too long due to Cora being tired and the weather was starting to get crappy.  Meanwhile, Ryan had taken Kayson to swimming...  He called while I was watching Hope... and he seemed upset.  Kayson had had an incident at swimming...  Ryan said he was doing really well, and 'swimming' and apparently Kayson got a little more 'brave' and tried swimming and wasn't doing well.  The instructor had his back to Kayson (working with the other little girl), and Ryan jumped in the water to save Kayson.  (Clothes and all... and a ruined cell phone to boot.)  I, of course, was not there... so I can't really imagine how everything happened, and how Ryan felt at the time, but I'm so thankful that Ryan was watching... and knew that something wasn't right.  Kayson of course was scared to death... but seemed actually ok once I got home.  Ryan had talked with him and said that we can't be scared and we'll be going back to lessons next week to try again and learn more.  Kayson seems ok with it...  I am just hoping that Kayson isn't completely terrified and we can just move on and he'll do well next week.  [Lots of thoughts here...]

Anyway...  the afternoon, the kids took great naps...  I did some cleaning and started 1 of 5 loads of laundry!!!  Ryan messed with his cell phone and eventually got an old one of his to work... so we can at least communicate!!  

After K woke up, Ryan and him headed over to Pella to watch Ryan's cousin, Colby, play in a big basketball game.  Colby goes to Central (he's a freshman), and has been doing really well and playing a lot...  this was a big game tonight (which they won), and Ryan really wanted to watch him play.  They are on their way back now... in this crappy, snow, windy and cold weather...  can't wait to have them home safely.  

Cora and I hung out tonight and had good time... she wasn't too whiney!  We played, read LOTS of books, colored, cleaned a little (yes, she helps!) and even snuggled.  

Me & Jessica (I look weird... fuzzy... and so giggly...  eh!)

Erica, Nikki, Nicky and me!

Nik and me

This is proof of what Cora does before every bath... hides in our closet.  :)