Baseball tournament #4

A very busy weekend here... with recital, and baseball. 
Weather was a little weird in the mornings, so games were delayed both days. 

Saturday the boys played 2 games... both losses.  We are definitely struggling on several items of the game, but then we have some great plays too!  Kayson pitched really well.  We just can't get ahead. 

Sunday was the same... 2 losses...  Kayson did well though, had a few great catches and a couple good hits.  But again, not enough to get a win in.  

I know the boys are mad and frustrated... as the coaches are too.  It's a bummer...  going from winning a lot last year, to not many wins this year, is hard.  I feel for the kids... 

Dance Recital 2020

Well, it's definitely been an interesting last couple months getting ready for a dance recital.  There was talk of no recital, there was talk of a recital outside!!  All the things.  But this weekend was it!  

We have prepared all week... literally. 
Monday - practice
Tuesday - practice with hair, makeup, costume
Wednesday - pictures
Thursday - practice with hair, makeup and costume
Friday & Saturday - recital! 

I'm exhausted!!! & so is Cora!  She did so good!
Here are some pics of the week... and the recital. 

I'm super proud of Cora, she's done really well - with the fact that she really hasn't practiced that much (as she just knows the stuff), and I've been told she's a leader in the studio and all the girls watch her!  
The recital went super smooth... and to top it off, she ended up having a duet for Hip Hop!!  Originally 6 or 7 girls in the class, but only two girls did it!  It was super fun, and she did amazing!!!

Some pics at the recital.

Flowers from Cousin Brittly... so thoughtful and sweet!

Cora got to see friends!!!

Cora's friend Charlotte had a little friend gathering for her birthday on Friday afternoon...  Cora was so excited to see her friend, as well as Zoe!!

The girls were off to play at Charlotte's - played with water, did crafts and seemed to have a great time.  I was happy for her to go see some friends, I know it's been hard on her (missing friends). 

Some adorable pictures Rachel sent:

Zoe, Cora & Charlotte

Baseball Tournament #3

Back to back tourneys...  every weekend!!
I honestly don't have much to report from this past weekend...  The team struggled a little.  Winning 1 of the 3 games, and going home after the first game on Sunday.  Which is always disappointing!!  The boys are competing with the other AAA teams, but we are coming up short.  I feel they are realizing that losing sucks!!  ha. 

The weather was wonderful, so that was great.  We were able to do random stuff at home before and after the games, so again, that was nice.  Sunday was Father's Day, with a loss - that sucked, but we just hung out at home the rest of the day.  Pretty lazy, but was kind of nice too. 

some of the siblings at the games

First week with Nanny Hope!

I don't plan on writing something each week that Hope is here, but felt like this first week was big...  we were learning a new routine, we were learning that my kids don't like to listen to Hope when I'm around, and just getting a feel for how things will be. 

This week was pretty good...  we did have a few set backs with the kids.  One day Kayson was a challenge, while Cora was good and played all day with Hope.  Then the next day Cora was a pain because she didn't want to read or do any math.  It's frustrating...  annoying... and embarrassing.  I just want them to be good all the time, which is obviously not an option.  ha. 

Anyway, the expectations of Hope this summer is to basically just keep the kids somewhat busy.  They are required to read and do some sort of math app or book at least 3 or 4 times a week.  Seems pretty simple.  I also don't want them on electronics a ton... but I am realistic... I know it's hard and there's just not much to do (no pools are open, etc.)  So I know it's boring for them, so I get it...  but Hope is a great cousin and they should be able to be creative and figure stuff out!  

Hope and Logan bought a home (super exciting), so they will be staying with us til about the end of July...  and Hope will continue to help out through the end of the summer (or at least until she starts her new teaching position).  It'll be a good summer, and so nice having them here.  I love Hope and Logan so much. 

Here are a few random pictures of the week... 

Baseball Tournament #2

We had our 2nd tournament this weekend... in Grimes, close to home and the weather was perfect. 

Saturday was great... we were able to get some things done in the morning, then head to Grimes for 2 games back to back.  We had a great win the first game, everything was great...  then the second game wasn't great.  The last inning messed us up and we just couldn't get out of it.  So with that bad inning, and big loss, we ended up being far down in the standings unfortunately...  bummer.  One good thing was Niky, Britt and Duke were able to come watch for a game, so that was nice...  good to see them. 

Saturday night we just ordered food and chilled, it was good.  We were all tired and sunburnt.  

Sunday morning, we kind of took it easy...  then back to Grimes for the afternoon.  Unfortunately, another bad game.  We just weren't clicking...  boys were hitting well, but couldn't play any defense!   Darnit.   Trish and Greg came to that game, so that was nice of them too.  Plus JeanAnn and Mike too, always nice to have that support for Kayson.

That was pretty much our entire weekend...  busy, and pooped!!

Summer Camps!! Dance & Basketball

Things are starting to become a little more normal...  which is good.  The kids are getting out and doing stuff!!!

Cora attended a fun dance camp this week - Monday through Friday for 3 hours in the morning, and it was great!!  :)  They learned a dance to one of the Trolls songs, and she knew it all by Tuesday!  She did amazing!!!  They make the camp pretty fun... dancing, tumbling, activity or craft, snack... etc.  It's a good morning for her. 

Kayson attended a Grandview college basketball camp - Monday through Thursday for 3 hours in the morning.  (so I got a lot done in the mornings this week!!!)   He went to the camp with Caleb and his brother...  their nanny hauled them there and back, so that was super helpful.   The camp was a little different than originally planned (again due to COVID-19), but they still held it, so that was great - it ended up being more of a skill type camp, which is good.  Kayson can always work on those basic skills!  They had a small group of about 6 I think, with one coach...  so he should have gotten a lot of attention.  

Only pics of sis.  K didn't want any pics! 

First Baseball tournament!!!

With all the coronavirus stuff going on... there was a thought at a few times that we may not have a baseball season.  Things would get pushed back, things would change... but we are 'on' now!!

We had our first real tournament (while only really having about 3 or 4 practices prior!!!) on Saturday, up in Marshalltown.  Of course, our first game was early!!  Cora and I skipped.  But...  we were able to watch live, so that was super...  

The weather was great - it got warm, but there were some huge shade trees there, so that was awesome.  The games went well - 3 wins!!!  Was super fun to have those wins under their belts and get some of the 'first nerves' out of the way.  

Kayson did well... he had a couple good hits, an RBI and he pitched really well!!  It was a good day for him.  

This & That

• We have a house guest...  Logan's job has changed, so he is back in the office here in the DSM area, so he is crashing at our house Monday through Friday.  It's nice having him here, something different and the kids enjoy him. 
• Soon Hope will be crashing here as well...  
• She'll be our 'nanny' for the majority of the summer, which I'm really looking forward to.  I need the break from trying to keep the kids busy.  I know they'll find stuff to do, however, it might be a tad boring because pools are closed, but that's the way it goes. 
• Baseball season has started...  practices and we have our first baseball tournament this weekend. We'll see how things go, but could be rocky with such a big 'break' from practices, etc.
• I'm thinking I need to take a few days off soon...  to work in that terrible storage room!  With baseball starting, our weekends are going to be busy, so thinking a couple days to tackle the storage room would be good.  I don't think garage sales are really starting here, but I could at least organize and try selling some stuff.  More to come on that. 
• The kids have been sleeping in...  like til 8:30, sometimes til 9!  (Cora has done 9:30 a couple of times!) This is huge.  It's nice having quiet mornings and they aren't rushed.  What will we do when we have to go back to morning stuff!?  
• Boomer is enjoying our time at home... still.  We are somewhat on a routine with him, but he's still hating his kennel.  He just wants out.  I need to do more training, but honestly - I don't have the 'free' time to do that... and stuff like that takes a lot of time. 

Cora - Last day of 1st Grade!

Again, not ideal for the end of the year...  boy, it's been a doozy with this one for 9 plus weeks at home.  She's smart, and doesn't want to learn anything else from me!  But we also had good days and good moments, and I will try to treasure those as much as I can. 

Miss Miller has been wonderful for Cora - always the pusher and always the teacher to put Cora in her place, which is what she needs!  We gave Miss Miller her end of the year gift last week, and Miss Miller was over-joyed, it was so amazing.  

We went to the school and took some fun pictures too...  and then also enjoyed the end of the year car parade.  Fun for those kiddos.

 

 

There was also a car parade for the kiddos... which she loved.  She took video on her Go-Pro which cracks me up.  She was excited to see all the teachers.