This & That

• Yesterday, Kayson fell asleep on the way home from daycare... a very short 10 minute drive.  I was shocked.  Cora kept saying "Brother... Brother..." and pointing.  
• Kayson loves "muscle shirts" (tank tops).  He has asked almost every day if it's going to be hot enough to wear his muscle shirts.  Hilarious.  
• Cora has taken to coloring on things...  (thankfully not walls), but on toys... books... LEGOS.  She got in trouble tonight.  Her ears were not working.  :)
• Our neighbor had their baby boy last week... Cora and I visited tonight to take a little gift.  Oooh, babies are SMALL!  Seeing baby Dax made me think about our soon to be baby girl in our family - Blair and Martina will welcome their baby next Wednesday!
• I took the dogs to get groomed again...  this time, they were shaved.  I mean - SHAVED.  They don't even look like Yorkies!!!  I'm trying to spin the good out of this, but I did struggle at first.  They don't really look very cute...  however, I shouldn't have to have them groomed for a LONG time!  ha. 
• My allergies have been bad lately.  But it's been weird - mostly occurring in the evenings.  Right now, my head is pounding.  
• 4 day work weeks always go so slow... why is that?!
• We've really been enjoying our backyard and patio lately... I love it, and I think the kids do too!  Tonight we sat outside with just Kayson for a bit (after C was alseep) - and he just talked and talked.  I love that.  I sure hope that he still likes us when he gets older.  :)

Farmers Market

After living in the DSM area for nearly 16 years...  we finally went to the Farmers Market downtown.  We woke the kids up early... and headed out.  Jimmy and Diana (from St. Joe) were up in DSM for a little get away, so we met up with them.  We walked for about an hour and a half...  just browsing.  It was a good time.  The kids did pretty well (minus Cora not wanting to be in her stroller).  It's not really an option to walk when there's so many people!  But we survived!  (Next time - just Ryan and I will go).  

Following the market, we went to Jimmy and Diana's hotel and let the kiddos swim.  It was so thoughtful of them to offer that to the kids... we enjoyed that, then a snack, then headed home.  Within minutes, the kids were asleep in the truck.  

It was a great morning.  We'll definitely do that again this year.

My babes!

Kayson & Cubbie Bear!

First time for everything... Painted Toes

She let me... she let me paint her toes.  It's not the prettiest, but it's done... and damn, it's cute.  :)  I can only hope that she'll continue to let me do this as she grows up.

Cora - 21 Months Old

I haven't updated Cora's monthly 'stuff' in awhile... 

• Size 4 diapers
• Teeth - I forgot to count...  but I think 16??  (I think she's just missing her two eye-teeth)
• Clothes - Bottoms: 2T, Tops: 3T
• Shoes - size 6 (a few 5's)
• She still loves to read books...  I love that my kids love books!!! 
• She talks a lot - and still does a lot of babbling.  Says: Momma, Daddy, Brother, Papa, Gammie, woof, more, please, ball, puppy, bath, up, shoes, hat, Love You, milk, book, Hi, Bye Bye, no, yes, yogurt, nana, snack, bow and lots more...   (has went from saying 'Yeah' to 'Yes')
• Gives great kisses and hugs.  Also does Hi-Fives and 'Pounds'
• She loves to color - she'll sit at the table for a good 15 minutes coloring/scribbling!  It's nice quiet time.
• Eating is still ok...  typical roller-coaster diet for her.  She does really well, then not so well for a couple days. 
• Sleeping: Naps have increased to about 2 to 2.5 hours.  We've gotten 3 hours out of her a couple times.  Bedtime is around 7:30 pm or so.  We have to wake her a little after 6:30 am... and on the weekends, she will sleep in pretty well (til about 7:30 or so).
• Loves music... and dancing.  
• Still is not a fan of getting dressed or a diaper change.  BUT - it's getting  little better.  
• We now put a bow in her every day.  Her bangs (or the top part of her hair) is getting long, so it just hangs in her face. 
• We have a great routine, and she's got it down...  I love kids on a routine!  :)
• I don't have any idea how much she weighs.  We haven't been to the doctor since her 18 month appointment (which is awesome!!!), but I am anxious to see how much she's grown.  We always say she's so 'heavy'!!

Now that Cora is 21 months old...  that means summer will be here soon, and she'll be 2 soon too.  It's a bittersweet feeling.  I'll need to start brainstorming for birthday party ideas!

Weekend

Friday:
Garage sale for 9 hours.  It wasn't nearly the success as I was hoping.  The weather was pretty crappy until about 4pm.  (not ideal).  I did sell some stuff, but man, I still have stuff left.  I have taken three large totes to a consignment shop to see if I can get some money for that.  (I'll find out tomorrow).   Anyway, following the long day...  we got all the kids together (us, Nielsen's and Carpenter's).  We had pizza and enjoyed a beautiful evening!  The kids did awesome... played hard... and crashed hard! 

Saturday:
K got his hair cut first thing.  We then spent nearly the entire day outside...  it was beautiful.  Kayson did really well all day...  we skipped nap for him, and it was a success.  Ryan kept him busy with stuff outside... and helping with random things too.  Cora did really well too (a great long nap for her)... and tons of outside time.  We all got some 'sun' - Kayson's already got a nice tan on his face and neck!  

Ryan's parents purchased a fire pit for us for our anniversary... so we tried that out Saturday night.  It wasn't a great success, but it was fun trying.  Nicky and Avery spent most of the evening hanging out with us.  K and Aves played great.  It was a great night at home. 

Sunday:
I think after such a busy day on Saturday (and just being outside 95% of the day) - we were all exhausted.  I woke up around 7:30...  tossed and turned for awhile...  actually felt like I had been hit by a truck!  I was pooped, but got up and just had some quiet time.  Cora woke around 8:10 and Kayson not til 8:45!!!  Unbelievable!  :)  I got groceries out of the way...  we played outside...  I did laundry...  a Target run... and more time outside.  Another great day for the kids.  

Ryan was off work last week, so he's back to work tomorrow... and me too.  I was hoping I would feel refreshed after the 3 day weekend, but I'm not.  I'm tired... so I am hoping I get a good nights sleep.  

Here are some fun pictures from the weekend!

On the neighbors Batman car.  Funny.

Bennett, Kayson & Avery

The kids 'helping' Daddy do some yard work.

I have nothing to say - but cute. :)

Helping Dad plant stuff.

Kiddos!

Nicky helping roast marshmallows.

We got the sand box out - Cora enjoyed it!

Busy

I feel like we've been non-stop this week...  but it's more just busy the last couple nights.  Monday evening Kayson's T-ball game was postponed due to weather/rain.  Tuesday and Wednesday were evenings to prep for the garage sale I'm having.  (Tonight 5-7 and tomorrow 8-5).  Anyway, I say it every year - garage sales are A LOT OF WORK.  Yuk.  Tonight was a cold, wet evening...  I was worried we wouldn't have any 'business', but we did...  people stick it out!  I made some money...  but there's a lot more to sell.  Holy crap we have a lot of clothes...  I'm also selling some home decor that's OLD and shoes... and more baby stuff...  lots of stuff.  So with that...  my mind has been racing - hoping that everything goes well and we sell a bunch!  

Work has been out of control busy as well...  I've been working on a project, that actually wrapped up this morning.  I think this time off is good timing... even though I'm busy with the garage sale, I'm hoping this will refresh me a little for a new start next week.  

My mind has been busy thinking about my Mom too...  just makes me sad that she's suffering from that terrible disease.  I wish it was easier, and I wish there was a cure and it would be gone now.  But reality is that's not going to happen... 

Kayson's had a good week.  He actually said tonight that he thinks he's adjusting to the no nap thing.  I thought that was pretty sweet.  We talked about it a little...  and I told him I agreed - that he hasn't been as 'naughty'.  He asked if he needs to rest on stay home days - I told him we would just see how things are...  but more than likely - yes.  I personally think he still needs a rest or quiet time... so we'll just see how he adjusts on weekends.  I'm proud of him, he's growing up...  too fast. 

Cora is doing well too.  She's, too, growing up too fast.  My goodness - she's talking more...  answering questions (cuz she knows what they all mean now), and saying two words at a time.  "Hi Daddy", "Hi Momma".  Sweet.  It just makes me wants to scoop her up and squeeze her.  She wants us to put her hair in a "bow" as she says... so we do.  Again - sweet.  This week she's also started to play on her own a little.  I'm not going to lie - we really don't sit down with the kids until after supper, then we don't really have a ton of time to play... but lately, she's been playing alone or talking to herself, etc.

Well I've sat down for the first time since early afternoon today.  My legs hurt, feet hurt and I'm exhausted.  We'll see how long I can keep my eyes open after I post this!  :)  Here's to lots of 'business' tomorrow at the garage sale!

Mother's Day

It's been a nice day thus far...  I'm going to back up a little though.  Saturday afternoon we headed down to Creston.  Ryan's cousin, Jenna, was being confirmed in the Catholic Church, and Ryan is her God-Father.  It was important for us to be there.  We made it through the hour and a half mass (yes, 1.5 hours with two kiddos!)  Yikes!  They did really well.  Then we enjoyed some time at Bill and Joni's celebrating...  great food, and some great weather to be outside.  

We spent the night... getting the kids to bed late, but they slept in pretty well today.  EXCELLENT.  Happy Mommy's Day to me.  ha.  We attended church (we are all church-ed out!! - I joke!) with Mike and JeanAnn, then just hung out for awhile.  We got home about an hour ago...  Cora fortunately went back to sleep... Ryan, K and I are just sitting quietly.  Nice. 

I had asked for two things today: 1) to not cook and 2) not to do laundry.  Well - I think the no cooking thing is going to be a success - I'm asking for El Rodeo tonight.  BUT the laundry thing - Yah, I can't handle seeing mounds of clothes, so I started a load a little bit ago.  ha.  Oh well!  :)

I'm very lucky and blessed to have my little family...  and it was all worth it because Kayson told me "Happy Mother's Day Mommy - I love you."  That's really all I need.  

I think about all the other mommy's out there...  My Mom - she's a great mom.  I'm very sad though that she really has no idea that today is Mother's Day.  I hate that disease so much.  I think about my sisters - they are great mom's too. I think about JeanAnn and all she does for us.  I think about my sister in law, Martina - soon to be a mommy of 2.  I think about all my friends and my aunts, etc...  lots of people to be thankful for today.  Know that I'm thinking of you all... and hope you are spoiled in some way today.  

Here are a few pictures from the last couple days. 

My babies.  But they are growing up too fast.

Getting ready to bake with Grandma - aprons and all!  :)

So cheesy!

Jenna with her God parents (Michelle, Jenna & Ryan)

This & That

My last post was regarding Kayson being tired.  It's still true.  :)  Nothing's changed. 

Anyway, the remainder of our week was pretty good.  Friday evening was another TBall game.  It was a great evening to be out - a little chilly, but none the less - great to be outside.  Papa and Grandma came to watch Kayson too, so that was super nice!  I think they enjoyed themselves!  We did dinner out (Gusto pizza was the choice for Kayson)...  then bed came pretty quickly (hence him STILL being tired!)

Saturday morning the kids slept in - 8:00 for Cora (YIPPEE HAPPY DANCE!) and we woke Kayson around 8:30!  Ryan's parents came back up to spend the day with us... they took Kayson and Tate to Sesame Street Live Saturday morning.  While they were gone, Cora and us just hung out and played.  We enjoyed the beautiful weather too.  Everyone was back to our place around 12:30 - Ryan grilled and we had a great lunch.  We continued to be outside and enjoy the day.  It was awesome out.  We did get the kids to rest around 2:00 (a fight from Kayson - but he's the one that slept the longest (nearly 2 1/2 hours)!)  Anyway, it was a great morning and afternoon with the family.  Lots of laughs.

Saturday evening we grilled out with some friends... enjoying MORE great weather.  

Sunday we just hung out at home.  It was really nice to just be home, just us... just doing whatever.  I honestly can't really remember what we did, but either way, it was a good day!

Work is crazy for me right now.  I'm actually doing an internal panic of all the things I need to do in the next two days.  It exhausts me!  

The kids have been pretty good - besides the tiredness from Kayson... and he's terrible bedtime battles.  Cora is good too, she's just busy and wants in the action!!  I don't blame her, we are pretty fun.  :)

We wrestle a lot... and this is her 'ready' stance!

She looks so innocent.  NOT.

Thanks for supporting Kayson!!

Playing Tic Tac Toe with Aunt Tina (and baby!)

The furniture has arrived!  Ready to be used!!