Kayson Update

• Kayson is enjoying baseball.  He really seems to like it... Tonight, he had practice and Ryan told me that his coaches said that "Kayson's one of the fastest kids on the team"...  EEEK - I love that.  It makes my insides just flutter.   
• Tonight he actually rode his bike.  He WANTED to ride it around the block.  So we did.  :)  He did well - he's just hesitant going down hills and turning corners.  Ya know, half of learning to ride a bike.  ha.  Oh well, at least he showed some interest. 
• He does not like flip flops.  He says they hurt his toes.  So we purchased some of those slider slip-on sandals.  He's complaining about those too.  I tell ya - he just wants tennis shoes and socks!!!  That'll be a pain when it's 100 degrees.  :)   --- Wearing size 1 now!
• This summer we have a reading and journal plan for him - I'm excited to get it started, we start tomorrow (June 1).  We just need to keep at it. 
• Tonight he took Ryan's fertilizer spreader and walked all over the yard and pretending to do that... I thought it was hilarious.
• We are one week in with cold lunches for summer school... so far, so good.  He's not complaining yet, and he tells me he eats everything I give him.  10 more weeks to go!

Weekend -- Garage Sale & Basement

My weekend started Thursday around noon...  My work had a team outing at the I Cubs Thursday afternoon.  I attended that - was great weather for about 2 hours, then it quickly started getting cooler, and started to sprinkle.  I was out immediately!  ha.  No fun for me!

I headed home... got the kids...  loaded up a few things, then down to Nikki's for our garage sale Thursday night.  For those two hours, we did great!  I sold quite a bit just that night, so I was pleased!  I had the kids with me, since Ryan was out of town, but he was heading back that night... 

Friday was a full day of the garage sale...  Kayson was lucky enough to attend a Waukee football camp that morning, so I kept him with me until about 8:45.  Then back to the sale...  we did well, but the afternoon was pretty darn slow.  I got rid of about 80% of my stuff, which was great - we needed it gone!!  I didn't make that much money solely because I was pretty much 'giving it away'!!  :)  CHEAP STUFF MAN!   But it was a good day... and exhausting too! 

Friday night we stuck around home...  Ryan needed to mow, the kids and I played, then Jess and Lex walked over with Presley after Dax was in bed...  we visited with them a little, and Kayson talked us all into a quick game of kickball.  ha... it was fun.  Presley and Cora liked it (for a short bit)!!!   So that was a nice, impromptu couple of hours.

Saturday and Sunday were basement days!  The days to clean it all out - as much as we could.  We did our best to go fast and get stuff handled and not have the kids go crazy (or drive us crazy!!)  We did get a lot done - Ryan worked his butt off.  :)  Finally, Saturday night around 5:00, we headed out to take a break.  We took the kids to play at the mall, and have a quick supper.  Then home... and bed.  Ryan and I continued working in the basement until about 11.  Wiped out I tell ya.  :)

This morning we got up and went to church...  then back to the house.  Groceries were bought, lunch was ate, playing was had... and more basement stuff.  I cleaned the upstairs level as much as I could (meaning - everything is everywhere - either in our living room, in the garage, or in the storage area), and everything is dusty already.  AARRRGGG!!  :)  Anyway, Lex and Eric stopped over to help with two large and very heavy items, so that was taken care of.  Huge thanks to them.   More cleaning, more organizing, more dumping.  

And this is was the basement looks like now.  Amazing. 

This is where the bathroom will go.

Our storage area - packed to the rim!!!

Looking south...  will be a play area, wet bar, desk area and bedroom (by the window)

Looking north...  open family area

More to come!!!

Life Update

We've been busy... with...

• Chasing two kiddos.  I could go on and on about how hard it is to be a parent.  I've said it before - some days are great, some days are terrible.  Of course, I tend to concentrate on the terrible ones.  What am I doing wrong?  How can I/we teach our kids better manners, be polite, be respectful?  Oh the list goes on.  I ache so much because I love them so much.
• Work.  Work, work, work.  Ryan's busy season is starting...  tonight was the first night he's been gone overnight in a LONG time.  It's always an adjustment.  There's always meltdowns.  There's always something that pushes either my buttons, or the kids.  Always.  We adjust, but the first couple times with him gone, it's hard.  My work is CRAZY.BUSY.  I mean, the type of busy where 4 projects are due at the same time.  Hmmm... wondering how that's gonna work!? 
• Prepping to finish basement.  We've been back and forth with a contractor - super, duper long story, but in the end - their bid was very unreasonable, and we had to kind of start over on the process.  3 months later, we now have a different contractor - and he can start next week.  That means get the basement cleaned out.  We've been organizing, dumping, making piles, putting stuff in the storage area... and reminiscing too.  It's been a process, and we aren't done yet.  This weekend we'll finish it all up, and the basement will be cleared out!   I plan to track and post all about it... I'm sure it'll be interesting!!
• Garage sale.  Yep, it's that time of year.  This year, Nikki is hosting the sale... huge thanks.  With the basement up in the air, I had no idea whether we would be in the middle of finishing and have stuff in the garage... so it worked out to have the sale at a different house this year.  The sale is Thursday night and all day Friday.  Again - not the best timing with everything going on, and my work being mass chaos, but whatever!!
• Quincy is getting old.  He's super skinny...  mopes around... sleeps a lot...  poor guy.  
• Cora will be 3 in about 3 months.  Unbelievable.  My mind is racing about that!
• Keeping up on stuff... everything around the house.  Keeping it clean, keeping laundry up, keeping food on the table, keeping organized, keeping the kids happy... hardest job ever.

Tonight the kids and I got home...  I could tell they were both tired, but we had talked about doing dinner out.  Beforehand, both kiddos went potty... and then Cora's tantrums started.  She wanted a pull-up on.  I had purchased a small sack of them (to start trying here at home this weekend).  She of course saw them - nothing gets by this little girl.  She threw an absolutely tantrum.  She was upset, I was upset... Kayson was even upset.  He kept saying "Cora just listen to Mom!!"  Poor kid.    Anyway, I did not give in, and I won't.  We finally got things settled... and went out.  They both did great at dinner, ate well, sat well, and talked nicely.  Once we got home...  they both got naughty again.  GRRR.  It's me and our house!!!  So baths were taken - Cora was asleep by 7:40, Kayson by 8:10.  Yawn.  

I have a terrible kink in my neck and back... so I'm sitting... and I'm not moving tonight.  I'm wiped out!!!

Memorial Day weekend 2015

We've had a really nice, LONG weekend.  

Friday:
We stayed in - grilled and just hung out.  

Saturday:
We got up and went to watch Jenna play tennis in Huxley.  It was interesting...  neither Ryan or I had ever really seen a tennis match.  Jenna did great - won her singles match.  It was fun to see.  The kids did pretty well - for keeping them quiet for almost 2 hours!  There was an open grassy area, so we played soccer a little to keep them busy. 

We got a quick lunch, then home to just hang out.  Cora took a short nap, Kayson and Ryan played hard in the backyard.  The new thing is 'kickball' for Kayson...  he's loving it.  

Saturday night we went to a graduation open house for one of Ryan's coworkers sons.  We visited with the family and Ryan's boss for awhile.  The kids did pretty well.  

Sunday:
We attended church, then home to do some cleaning, organizing and grocery shopping.  Trish and her family were coming for a visit - they got to our house around 4.  The kids were all in with playing with Kayson - basketball, kickball, everything.  They are so good with them.  We grilled kabobs and had a really good supper...  then more playing, then they headed home.  We actually got the kids to bed at a normal time (8ish) and Ryan and I just had a nice evening of relaxing... (should have worked in the basement, but we didn't!!!)

Today:
Memorial Day.  We got up (kids slept almost 12 hours!!!)...  headed down to Mt. Ayr to see Great Grandma Ann.  We haven't seen her in a long time, and today was the perfect day to go visit.  We had such a great visit with her...  the kids did awesome with her, Kayson actually talked!!  Cora sat on her lap.  Huge, I thought - for not seeing her often, and for her being older, kids sometimes just aren't comfortable.  But they did awesome.

We then went to visit Grandma Janis on our way home... Mike and JeanAnn met us there, we had lunch and let the kiddos play.   It ended up being a nice day out.  We also went to the cemetery to visit Papa Dick.  Again, just really nice to do this and give him some flowers.  Very memorable.

We headed home around 2:30... 

Tonight we've played more kickball... and had a quick left overs supper, and the kids were in bed early. 

It was a great little weekend...  now we have a big week ahead, a short one, but Ryan will be gone for a couple days, I'm having a garage sale with Nikki, and getting ready for our basement to be started on next week.  EEK!  :)

Eden and Cora playing...  she loved pedaling Eden around!

Some hoops!

by far, the sweetest thing ever right now.

With Great-Great Grandma Ann (98 Year old!!!)

With Great Grandma Janis

Cheeser!

Daddy and K - on Papa's mower.

EEEk - Love this picture.  Scenery - and clouds.  Beautiful

Visiting Papa Dick

Kayson - Last Day of Kindergarten!

Yesterday, Friday, May 22 was Kayson's last day of Kindergarten.  LAST DAY!  He (we) made it a full first year of 'real' school and it was SOOOO awesome and smooth.  I give huge credit to his teacher, Mrs. White.  She was great - she communicated - she made things fun - she made him learn... and it was all a success!

We are ready for Kayson to have fun this summer at Beyond the Bell (and hopefully some days off with Mom and/or Dad from time to time).  

Here's what he looked like on the first day:

He's changed some for sure...  I feel like he still had the 'baby' look back in August of 2014.  I don't see that anymore.  He's such a big boy!!

Cora - Allergies

Cora has had a snotty nose and flemmy cough for over a month.  Why didn't we take her in, you ask!!?  Well - not going to lie - she's the second child.  She's sleeping great.  She's eating like normal.  She's fairly happy (minus her whining and talking back that a normal 2 1/5 year old does!)  We've just assumed it was a cold and she just couldn't fight it off...  and if it's a cold - there's really nothing to give her to help. 


But for some reason... this weekend, Ryan and I both looked at each other and said - 'We might want to take her to the doctor'.  So I did this morning.


Dr. Beebe heard the things I said/we were experiencing with her...   and then checked her out.  Her nose was running (but not nearly as bad as this past weekend).  She checked her eyes (like her bottom lids) - and said they were pretty 'gritty'... which is a symptom of allergies.  We talked a little, then she suggested us trying a Children's Claritin for her at bedtime.  So we'll try that and see what happens. 


It's not a surprise, cuz both Ryan and I have seasonal allergies, and even Kayson gets itchy eyes from time to time. 


We'll see how this goes!

Hope's HS Graduation

We've had yet another busy weekend... 
Hope has officially graduated from High School!!  Whoot whoot!  

Friday night we got things together for the weekend... Kayson had a birthday party to go to; Cora, Ryan and I grabbed supper... then continued to get prepped/packed for the weekend.  We were able to get the kids to bed at a decent time, which was good... K was a bear following his busy day, his celebration at school and then a birthday party.  Wow - that might have been over load for him.

Saturday morning we got up... finished getting stuff packed up.  Then Ryan picked up the 6 large boxes of Scratch cupcakes for Hope's graduation open house.  Once he got home... we were off.  We did have to take two vehicles, which was interesting... I don't think we've ever had to do that.  The kids wanted to ride with Ryan.  Fine by me.  :)  We got up to Clarion - had a quick lunch, then before we knew it, it was time for the Open House to begin.  Trish and Greg, and Hope worked so hard to decorate the church fellowship hall and plan so perfectly for the celebration.  It was awesome!!   Hope had a great turnout, and we got to see some old friends... and family too.  It was really a very nice day.  But not going to lie - I was exhausted (and I didn't even do anything!) - Hope was so tired!

Following the Open House, and cleaning up...  the four of us (along with my parents) went to Jill and Jeff's...  we grilled for supper, and just let the kids play.  They had a great time.  Then it was time for bed - and unfortunately, both kids were completely wound tight - and didn't get to bed til after 10.  SAD FACE.  

This morning was an early morning for the family.  We got ready and headed to church.  The kids did pretty well during church, then we ordered pizza for lunch, as we needed something quick and easy.  And yet, another couple hours flew by... and we were at the HS for commencement.  It was a very nice ceremony...  we are so proud of Hope.  She made the top 10 students (by GPA), which was awesome!!!  Cora took a little snooze during the commencement, which was nice.  She was so tired. 

And now...  we are home.  Kayson had baseball practice tonight, which I will not be surprised if he has some meltdowns tonight, he's going to be so wiped out.  

Here are some pictures from the weekend.  What great memories for Hope.

Fun with Ryan!

K and Hope

Love her.

Sparkly, pink high heels.  Courtesy of Cousin Hope.

Kayson and Cora LOOOOVVVEEE Cousin Ryan.

My sisters.  So thankful.

Proud of Hope!

Hope & Grandma and Papa

with her 'favorite' Aunts.  :)

Grandma fusses over Cora...  and Cora loves it.

Ryan making the Cora face... while Cora grins.  Ornery.

Kayson's End of the Year Celebration (Kindergarten)

Friday afternoon, Kayson's school held a "End of the Year Celebration" for the Kindergartners.   The kids gathered in the gym for a few songs, which they did awesome at.  I shed a couple tears - so silly to think that, but I did.  They played the 'graduation march'... I mean, seriously!!??  ha.  It was very memorable. 

Following the songs, we then were able to go back to their classroom for popcorn and water.  Mrs. White talked a little about her classroom, then she showed a slide show of their year.  Yet, more shedding of tears.  Man - Kayson's done some great things, and has learned so much.  He (we) were very fortunate to have a great teacher to start of his school 'career'.  

We are very proud!!!

Kayson & Mrs. White

Mother's Day 2015

I'm blessed.  Period.  
Man, I look at my kids - and smile, cry, laugh, and ache.  6 years ago, I never, in a million years, knew what I was going to feel when we had Kayson...  And adding Cora to our family, completed things.  I may not be the perfect Mom, but I know what my love does and feels like... so I can only hope my kids will understand that and respect that as they grow. 

We attended church this morning...  then went out for lunch...  and back home to just hang out.  It was a gloomy, misty day until late afternoon, then it poured!!  Shortly after lunch, Ryan and Kayson went to watch Duke play a little baseball...  I stayed in while Cora rested.  Not going to lie - I layed down and closed my eyes... for about 25 minutes.  It was great, so quiet, so dark...  nice.  

Happy Mom's Day to me... and all the great Momma's out there. 

Iowa Cubs

Tonight was a spur of the moment type night...  I picked up Cora a little early, and we went to Ryan's work to say "hello"... ended up getting Daddy to leave work early, which was nice.  On our way out, the season tickets to the I-Cubs was on their kitchen table.  We took them!

We all headed out a little early to the game...  got a couple hot dogs and found our great seats.  We were there early enough that Kayson got a super extra surprise.  One of the baseball workers asked if Kayson would do the "Play ball" introduction after the National Anthem was sang.  HECK YEA!  Ooo I was so excited.  We ate our 'supper' and soon enough, it was time for Kayson's debut!  He did so awesome!!!  

We had a really good time... the weather ended up being perfect.  Kayson did great - ate everything in sight and paid attention to the game, asking questions.  Cora... well, she's 2 1/2.  What do we expect??  Her being so busy.  Yep.  Right on.  Man, that girl does.not.sit.still... or stop talking!  But she ate her hot dog, ate a ton of popcorn and liked the music.  Overall - success. 

We stayed til the 7th inning stretch... which was fun for Cora to hear the "Take me out to the ballgame" song.  We thought she would actually sing it, but she didn't - not a word.  She just watched and listened to everyone, it was funny.   Then we headed out...  it was late, and the kids got giggly and crabby (all at the same time).  

Here are some fun pictures from tonight. 

aaaa... makes me laugh.

Fun together.

Before his 'debut'

PLAY BALL!

Weekend

It's 8:30 on Sunday night...  gosh the weekend went fast.  And I still really haven't cleaned, or organized much... and haven't gotten groceries.  Guess it'll just have to wait!

Friday night was K's baseball game...  good time. 

Saturday morning we hung out at home...  I worked on getting laundry done, but that's about it.  It was a fairly nice day, so we played quite a bit.  Kayson had a birthday party to attend at noon...  so Ryan, Cora and I had a little 'date'.  We did lunch out at Dairy Queen, her choice. and she did pretty well with her meal... and of course, loved her ice cream cone.  :)  We did a quick errand...  then back to the house for her to nap, and Ryan picked up Kayson.  I tell you what - that was a quick 2 hours. 

Ryan's parents came to visit... and watch the kiddos Saturday night.  Ryan and I had a wedding reception to go to - one of Ryan's co-workers.  We got dolled up, and headed out.  We had a nice time...  really simple, good talks, a couple drinks, great food... then we headed home.  

Today we got up and went to church, then (since it was another nice day), we got lunch and ate that at the school park nearby.  Cora didn't really want to eat, she wanted to play...  so we ate quickly, then played for about an hour.  It was great... the kids had fun!  Back home to play some more... and Cora rested...  we enjoyed the back patio a little, it was great.  

Kayson had baseball practice, so Cora and I stayed home... and snuggled.  She did pretty good for me, typically she's pretty naughty, but we had a nice time together.  (Seems silly to write that down, but it's so true!)    

We did more playing outside... ate supper outside... and now kids are clean, and in bed (well, almost).  It's been a great weekend...  I took lots of pictures!!

She'll kill me one day.  :)  teehee.

I've been trying to sell this baby bathtub - Cora found it...

... now she sits in it with her baby.  Hilarious.

Love.

Cool dude.

Goof ball.

Cheeser!

She'll try anything...

Great time at the park!

Daddy & Cora

Kayson - Baseball 2015

We've officially started our baseball season!  Coach pitch... the real deal for a bunch of 6 year olds!  Tonight, unfortunately, was not ones favorite baseball game weather... it was cold, breezy... and rainy!!!  BOO!

We hustled home...  and got everyone changed, then back out the door for the 5:30 game.  Cora and I made ourselves comfortable on the wet bleachers... met a few other moms and their kiddos, which was nice.  Ryan helped out the team tonight, as the head coach was helping his other sons baseball team.  

Kayson did really, really well...  he hustles, he seems to listen, and enjoy himself too!   and to top it off, he hit the ball awesome!  We were so proud!  

Cora kept me busy... constantly doing something, that girl cannot sit!!!  

Following, we went out for supper at Jethros, and the kids did really well.  A 'treat' for Kayson.

Good job buddy!!!

Washington Nationals --- red hat, maroon shirt?!?!?

Warming up!  GO #6!

Base hit!!  ha.

Darn rain - but gotta smile.

Jethros for dinner!