Saturday/Sunday

My previous post = ramblings, "This & That".  That's all I had on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday evening, Nielsen's came over for pizza and play.  The kids did really well - there are a lot of personalities in our little group, and overall - they all did great!  Kids played, including the Dads... and the girls (Nikki, myself and Cora) chatted.  :)  Well, Cora did well at keeping busy with Mr. Cam.  So cute.  But it was a nice night!

Today = Sunday, a few errands, both meals at home! (that's huge for us!), playing, mowing, and relaxing really.  It's been a nice little day too.  I'm personally having trouble keeping my eyes open, so I figured I'd better get a post written, then my eyes can close.  :)  Ryan did bed for both kiddos...  and oh, that's heaven. 

I didn't even get my camera out this weekend...  but took a few with my new phone.  It takes good pics!! :)  Cora was not in any pics.  ha.

Ryan is gone again this week... but we are prepped.  Laundry is done, house is half way cleaned... and there you go, the week will be gone before we know it!

This & That

• Well - we have the first week of school out of the way.  It went well, however, I do have to say - Kayson didn't say much about school, his teacher, nothing... all week.  Wednesday night I sat down with him and really asked questions, just to see what he would say.  Still the "It's fine, nothing, etc."  Thursday night - I got a phone call from Mrs. Turner.  (insert nervous tummy instantly!)... but it was a very positive phone call.  Now I don't know if she was doing that with every parent, but regardless - it was just what I/we needed.  She said Kayson is doing super well, he's a leader in the class and she's excited to see what he will learn and do this year.  She said he can be chatty, but she only has to revert him once and he's back on track.  All normal... all good.  I was so excited, and relieved too.  
• Cora's new room is going well too... we think!  Chandler (one of her main teachers, favorites too), says she's doing well... and no problems.  Whew!!  I can say she's damn smart... the things she's doing and saying and doing some more - nothing of where Kayson was at just 3.  
• We finally got Cora a helmet for her to use...  she's been using Kayson's, cuz he doesn't ride his bike!  She wanted a pink or purple one, but we got her a white one... it's cute, and actually will grow with her much better.  And she does like it.  Thumbs up.
• It's been a gloomy day here... no sun at all, but still nice.  Some neighbors are coming over tonight for pizza... and probably some football or kickball, and it should be nice.  They defintately won't sweat because of the heat!  ha.
• Ryan and I finally, FINALLY got new phones last night!!  WHOOHOO!  
• I had the kids' pics taken last week, I believe I mentioned it in a previous post.  Eeeh.  Not thrilled with the outcome.  The few of Kayson were terrible...  and he's REALLY EASY, so I was pretty disappointed.  There are maybe 3 of Cora that I like, and then only one of the two of them together.  Not much of a variety.  SO...  moving on to finding another person, or I go back to doing it myself, and I really don't want to.  
• I've been doing StitchFix, and I've really enjoyed it, however, this past one was a flop (the one before was kinda too).  I had expressed that the last time the tops were very much a 'box' look, so this time they only sent me pants and accessories, and the pants were printed, not something I would wear, plus they looked awful.  Another eeeh.  But I'll keep trying...  it's still fun getting the stuff and hoping something will work that I wouldn't normally buy. 
• That's all I got on this Saturday afternoon...  been cleaning, and enjoying the quiet.  

Cora - 3 Year Stats

Cora did pretty well at the doctor's this morning... she talked, and smiled at both the nurse and the doc.  I'd call that a success.  :)  She did not like Dr. Beebe looking in her ears or her mouth, but I don't like that stuff either!

Weight: 34.4 lbs. (80%)
Height: 38" (75%)

Right on track!
While Dr. Beebe and I were trying to 'pin' her down so doc could look in her ears... Dr. Beebe said "my, she's got some strong legs."  That made me laugh.  and instantly thought of 'Hardy legs'.  

Kayson - First Day of 1st Grade!

Summer is officially over...  and we've moved on to 1st Grade!!!   

I dropped Kayson off just like a normal school day today...  at Beyond the Bell.  It was kind of weird - just dropping him off, knowing it's the first day, knowing it's different from last year where we waited outside to watch the Kindergartners walk in.  So different... almost like it wasn't a big deal!  But it still was.  

I got these smiles this morning, so that's all that matters.

Giggling...  :)

He said he had a good day...  told me a little of what they did, but not much actually.  It was obvious he was tired.  :)  We'll have a week or so of that, then we'll be back to normal. 

Cora's 3rd Birthday Party

We had Cora's birthday party Saturday morning this year.  It seemed to be the best time for everyone... with busy schedules, back to school stuff and family having to travel.  It's such a hectic time of the year... and unfortunately, things don't slow down here on out til Christmas.  YUK.  

Anyway, Friday night Ryan got home...  he mowed quickly, and the kids and I went to their photo session.  Eh.  It was ok.  I'm glad the gal did them together first... so I'm hoping we get at least one good one of those...  then Cora along was kind of a pain.  However, it doesn't surprise me... so, we'll just see what we get!!  It'll be a long 2 weeks waiting!  :)

Saturday morning we got up and started finishing cleaning and just organizing for the party.  I swear those 3 hours or so went so fast and soon there were a load of people at the house!  Cora did really well (last year, it took her forever to warm up and she was shy)... not this year, which was great!  Anyway, all our immediate family was with her/us, minus Hope, Ash and Uncle Jeff.  Hope is at college and both Ash and Jeff needed to work.   We just let the kiddos play... and the adults visited (it was a beautiful August day!!!!), then Cora tore into her presents.  She knew what to do! ha.  She got some great gifts, including a bike!  She hopped on that thing and just rode... she loves it!  

We had a nice lunch - I made fixin's for tacos - shredded chicken and beef... and the sides.  I think it went over well!  

Then everyone started dwindling out around 1:30/2:00.  Cora did take a rest, which I'm glad she did.  She was tired.  Landry took a rest too.  The boys just played and played.  Saturday afternoon we just hung out... then grabbed food out Saturday night, and got the kids to bed. I was wiped out... and still am.  :)

It was a great little party for Cora May.  She's a spoiled little girl, and she knows it.  :)  It's hard to believe she's 3... just crazy fast!  We'll see how much she grows and changes over the next year. 

Cora's quiet time before the party... reading.  :)

Our beautiful little girl.  She looks older than 3!!!

The load of gifts!

Puppy Surprise!!  From Martina, Blair and kids

BIKE!!!

The girls...

Happy Birthday pretty girl!

Kayson - 1st Grade Open House

Tonight we got to meet Kayson's 1st Grade teacher - Mrs. Turner.  The kids and I went right at 5:00... and the parking lot was full, plus the street.  Amazing.  So much different from a small town!  

We made our way in... and Kayson led us right to the 1st Grade rooms...  then we searched for Mrs. Turner's class.  She met us at the door (we were her first 'visitors' of the night!).  We spoke and chatted a little, then found Kayson's desk.  Yes - he has an actual desk.  No big tables that he shares with kids, his own desk.  EEk.  I thought that was pretty cool!   His desk is in a bundle with 5 other kids - and two of them are boys from his Kindergarten class!  Again, excited!!!

His school supplies were there... and we were instructed to put those away, then he got his pic taken by Mrs. Turner, then we did more looking around.  The room is very nice, and Mrs. Turner seems great!  We then went out to the hallway - and he has a LOCKER!!  Big stuff man!  He's sharing with another little boy, whom he knows - Harrison.  So he was excited about that!  

We chatted with a few other parents, then we headed out.  It was very nice visit, and it makes me very happy.  I know he's a great kid and smart, and just knowing all these little things that are different - make for a great memorable 1st Grade year.  

I sure wish Ryan could have been here tonight. 

Cora's 3rd Birthday

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY CORA MAY!!!
Kayson and I were able to spend the day with Cora - we hung out this morning, got K's hair cut, then went to my work and had lunch with a few of my work friends.  Cora did pretty well throughout all of it, a few meltdowns, but nothing surprising!  Cora took a nice nap, then we had a good evening together.  I reminded her it was her birthday about every hour.  :)  I even painted her toes and finger nails.  She loves them!

Our 3 year old - our beautiful daughter -- I love her so damn much. 

Some of the major things going on right now are: 

• Counts to 35... misses some numbers, but is getting the jist of it.
• Recognizes nearly all the letters of the alphabet.  Daycare teachers say "she's a smart little girl."
• TALKS ALL THE TIME.  and I think she's a great little talker, we understand her all the time.
• Potty training is going ok.  She was doing really well about a month ago, then Quincy passed away, and she started to revert.  But I can say over the past week, she's finally starting to show interest for us at home.  At daycare, she does really well - they are on 'it' all the time - every 45 minutes pretty much.  Regardless, she's doing well...  just gotta keep at it.
• Loves her baby dolls - specifically Baby Annie and changing her diaper.  Baby Annie poops a lot!

Basic information:

• Clothes - mostly 4T, tops we can do 5T or big girl 4.  Again - longer torso, so we need the longer shirts, not the wide ones!  I've figured out brands pretty well!
• Shoes - size 7 or 8, depending on brand.
• Diapers - size 5
• Showing some interest in movies a little more... and some cartoons. She likes Dora, but won't really watch it for much longer than 4 minutes! She still likes 'Frozen'.
• Loves to do art - coloring, markers, paint, stickers, etc.
• She likes to sing still - we have some favorites, including some church songs, which melts my heart.  Loves music in general - loves to sing in the car, and gets hooked on certain songs.
• Loves books.
• She's attached to her 'softie' - needs it when she's tired/bedtime.  
• Finally showing interest in brushing teeth...  she wants to do it, but also lets me finally! 
• Eating is still a rollercoaster.  Sometimes she eats every last drop, sometimes not a bite!  And still won't eat vegetables. 
• Still a great sleeper.  Bed around 7:30, have to wake her at 6:30 on weekdays.  Weekends - she'll sleep til 8ish sometimes, but mostly up around 7:30.  She's specific about her blankets - wants at least one of the soft ones layed on her pillow.

Basement - DONE

After a week and a half of waiting for the paint touchups to be done and the shelves to be painted...  they are done.  Finally.  Man, I got irritated a couple times.  :)  

Kayson - A Stay with Papa & Grandma

This week, Beyond the Bell was closed for the staff... and just preparation for the school year.  So a couple months ago we were making plans for this week.  This is the week that Ryan is always in South Dakota for work, and I knew that I couldn't take a full week off... so we called in the grandparents.  

Mike and JeanAnn came up Sunday afternoon and took Kayson back to Creston with them.  They had a couple days planned.  
Monday, I believe, they did some games and played outside, and also visited the Historical Village in Creston.  From the pictures, it looks awesome.  I hope to stop out there sometime!
Tuesday, JeanAnn and Kayson went and visited Grandma Janis and Great Grandma Ann.  Kayson played Bingo at the nursing home with Great Grandma and won some candy bars.  Hilarious... and so sweet at the same time.  I love that.  
I know there was much more done - games, a movie watched, playing outside, eating ice cream and helping Grandma cook (or maybe just watching!)
And this morning, Wednesday, JeanAnn brought him home.  I was so excited to see him... he gave me the biggest hug, which was so nice.  Just what I needed.  I missed him!!!

Today we did some school shopping... Grandma loaded him up, which was super nice.  We were able to find a few pairs of pants and some tops, so we have a good start.  I just hope he doesn't grow taller anytime soon!  Those long legs.  

I think Kayson had a good time with Papa and Grandma, we are very thankful for them and helping out! 

All packed up!

With Papa

Visiting the Grandmas!

Friday/Saturday

Friday was Kayson's last day of summer school at Beyond the Bell.  He's had a great summer - been so lucky to do some fun things!!  

We stayed in Friday night.  I was tired, we had left-over pizza... and I was also irritated that our paint touch-ups weren't done.  Grrr.  I tried to push that to the side... and we just hung out.  My niece, Hope, and her boyfriend, Logan were coming down to DSM to go to an I Cubs game and stay with us!  So they stopped by quickly to pick up tickets... and then they were off.  

Around 10ish, they got back to our place, and we just sat up and talked awhile.  They were our first guests in the new basement/bedroom!  :) 

Today, Miss Cora was up earlier than I had anticipated...  I got cleaned up, got Dunkin Donuts and we started our day.  Hope and Logan got up... and instantly Kayson wanted to play kickball.  ha.  It was HOT by 9:00, so that didn't last too long!  We just hung out inside and played.  Soon enough, Trish and Greg showed up...  we grabbed lunch out (no meltdowns!) and then we headed back home for Cora's rest.  The rest of them did some shopping.  Ryan and Kayson did an errand as well.  

Later on, everyone came back to the house and we just visited...  good laughs.  Trish and Greg took off around 4:30, but Hope and Logan stuck around and we grabbed some pizza out.  It was nice of them to stay longer...  Hope goes to college Wednesday, so it was great having some extra time with her.  They headed out after pizza...  the four of us got ice cream, then back home.  

Baths were taken, and we then watched our first movie downstairs!  "HOME" - what a great little kid movie.  Cora did pretty darn good, until about 30 minutes before it was over.  She was so tired, but so badly wanted to stay awake.  Soon they both were asleep shortly after movie night.  Nice evening at home.  

Here are a few pics from our day.  

Front view of pony!

Seriously adorable.  :)

The girls at lunch.  LOVE.

Cora and Logan

She looked tired before we even started the movie!!

All ready for movie night!

This & That

• In one week - ONE WEEK, Cora will be 3.  I have so many emotions...  typical Mom. 
• My heart still aches missing Quincy.  We haven't really talked about him in a while... but tonight, Cora asked about him and said "Quincy is in heaven with Papa Dick.  He's a special star."  Yes, he is... they both are.  
• From the previous post - the basement is pretty much done.  
• We need to get the bathroom 100% done so Ryan can start using it.  Then we'll do a switch upstairs.  My stuff will go to the master bath... leaving the main hallway bath for just guests.  
• I'm ready to get the toys out, even tho it'll make me CRAZY because there's so much.  But I know the kids are ready to play down there.  
• I'm ready to have stuff on the walls...  a media unit...  just all that stuff. 
• My work is crazy busy...  It's Ryan's super busy season too.  
• I'm loving the show "Fixer Upper" on HGTV.  Chip and Joanna Gaines - I heart them!  I'm mesmerized by them and their skills and their relationship (as shown on TV).  Gosh - she's got some awesome ideas for decorating.  If we had disposable cash - she would be my go-to person!!! 
• I've had some insomnia over the past week.  It really started to catch up with me yesterday.  Last night I took a melatonin pill to help... I've never done anything like that.  I'm not sure if it really 'worked', but I slept.  Coincidence, I don't know?!  I need sleep.  

Here are a few recent pics of the kiddos:

She loves to write... we have a ton of little tablets she uses.

All ready for bed.

Kayson needs quiet time EVERY NIGHT.

Playin' football.  Love this.

That sweet face.

 

Basement - 99% Done!

Here are some last pictures of the basement.  In a nutshell, it's done... but we are STILL waiting on a few more things.  

The paint touch-ups... and the shelves of the wet bar and desk area need painted.  The touch-ups were half way done today.  So we hope tomorrow the rest is completed.  I hope.  I hope.  The little fridge for the wet bar was ordered last week, so again - hoping tomorrow or Monday, we get that.  

I'm ready for the workers to be done at our house!!!  And I'm not even complaining!  We've had this finish go so smoothly...  everything went really well.  But I think I'm just done, ya know!

TV wall view.  We'll be getting a media unit for under the TV.

Wet bar/Desk - awesome lights!!

Bedroom is ready for guests.  It's a huge room - about 6 more feet to the left.

Bath - need to hang towel bars, etc.

Blinds are up...  loving the couches.  It's coming together.