Cora - Eye scratch

Thursday morning before dance class, Cora was stretching...  with her Jazz shoes on.  It was time for her to get dressed for class and as she was taking off her Jazz shoes, they got stuck and she pulled hard on them, and one of the shoes came off and hit her in the eye.  #freakaccident

She cried and cried...  but she fought through it, and I sent her to dance.  When I picked her up, she seemed ok... she said it still hurt, but she seemed fine.  About an hour went by, and she began to cry more consistently and was super upset.  I honestly didn't know what to do... so I called the eye doctor.  We were able to get in right away... 

Verdict - severe scratch on her eye - the lower part of the colored part of her eye.  There should be no damage to her vision, however, she will be in pain for awhile, unfortunately.  The appointment was rough - she had a hard time opening her eye to even let the doctor look...  after some numbing drops and some time, doctor could finally take a look.  

We went home with an antibiotic (just in case there is an infection), and a drop to help 'coat' and protect her eye.  

She was pretty upset all afternoon, but finally around supper time, she seemed not as bothered by it.

So...  now it's Friday.  We went back to the eye doctor Friday morning to check to see if it's healed any...  and it had!  Doc said it was healing nicely and he was pleased.  We will continue with the antibiotics through the weekend and hopefully by Monday, she is 100%. 

  

CESOD Elite Edge - First week!

Cora got her first taste of Elite Edge this week! 
She attended a Master class on Monday... then the rest of the week, she attended Choreography class. I was told she started working on her first competition dance!  Holy crap.  ha.  

Everything went well!!

Here are a few pictures that the studio has posted!!  Love seeing those smiles!

Baseball tournament #8/Weekend

Nice weekend...  
Saturday we didn't play ball til the afternoon - one positive: not getting up at the crack of dawn!!!  One negative: HOT July weather!  The boys went 1 and 1, played great the first game, knocking the other team out quickly.  Second game was different...  struggled a little, but we were so close!   Lindsay and Ashley visited too, so that was nice.

Saturday night we were able to be home and just chill, so that was nice.

Sunday we got up and at em - back to the fields about 9:30, not too bad.  We were able to see a little of Caleb's game, then they stuck around for K's first game, so that was nice seeing Sarah and visiting with her.  Aces won their first game and played great...  K did great at defense (2nd base), super proud of him!!!

Then came the rain... and lots of it!  We were not expecting rain at all...  expecting hot weather, but we got hit with rain and they eventually called the games/tournament.  Kind of a bummer, but we were able to be home and just relax.  We needed it... I know I was pooped!

Week update

Before summer started... I knew I wanted to give Hope a little break from watching the kids...we knew she'd have to work in her classroom too.  So this week was the perfect week - plus they moved!!!  (which by the way, I'm super sad about... it was SOOO nice having them here!)

So... the kids went to summer BTB this week. And honestly, it was a great decision.  They both had a good week... fine to go, and happy walking out.  They talked about their days and met a few new kids.  I would say it was a success, which makes me super happy.

• We had two baseball games this week.
• Cora started working on some stretching for dance, knowing she needs to do that in order to be flexible and successful.
• Boomer hated the fact that everyone was gone during the week - he slept and moped around, until everyone arrived home - then he was wild again!
• Hope got a lot done in her classroom, which was great.
• I helped Logan & Hope move a little, get settled a little...  great day with them (and seeing Tricia and Greg too). Much needed time.

K did a great job pitching

Some pics from Vinny... look at how close that ball is (inside!)

We were able to watch Ira play ball - SUCH a cutie!

Hope was sitting at the island, so Cora pulled up a chair too.

COVID-19 update

Thought I would write this down (even though, I'm sure we won't forget!), but the US is still experiencing and dealing with COVID-19. Unfortunately I don't think this is going to go away anytime soon... 

So, basically since the beginning of March, this has been a 'thing'.  People have died and continue to...  now, I honestly don't keep track of numbers and the statistics, but I understand it's enough to continue this pandemic, and start wearing masks nearly everywhere we go... all the things.  It's so disappointing, frustrating, and just sad.  

Anyway...  as of now, school will be starting for our Waukee schools August 24.  As of now, the kids will be wearing masks all day at school.  This is just 'as of now' - nothing has been set in stone, but this is what we are hearing, what we are seeing, etc.  

I'm scared and worried for the kids...  but honestly, they need to go to school and be there, see their friends, learn from their teachers.  I just pray that everyone is smart, and we can continue school through the year. 

More to come...  

Baseball Tournament #7/Weekend

We ended up having a good weekend of actual 'free' time.  Saturday morning, the boys played 2 great games in the morning... before the heat.  They played good, two solid wins... leaving them in the #1 seed of the Gold bracket.  Super excited. 

The rest of our Saturday was good too...  Mosqueda's came over for a couple hours, had pizza and just hung out, really nice time...  Then we decided to use their HOA pool in their neighborhood.  That was super nice... the kids loved it, and we just enjoyed the sun and relaxed a little. 

Sunday we started our day back at Ankeny...  going in ready to play all day, but unfortunately, our boys came short a little.  The other team had two solid double plays, and that just brought us down enough to not win.  We were so bummed... felt bad for the kids.  

The rest of our day was pretty boring, or at least for Cora and I.  Ryan and Kayson ended up going boating with Coach Jesse and Parker, so they had a great time...  fished, swam...  good times for them.  Cora and I just hung out...  we went to Kohl's and walked around, other than that, we were pretty bored.  ha. 

A few pictures from last week, and a few from the weekend.  No baseball pics... didn't barely get my phone out!

Boom found the bean bag, and crashed!

Fish K caught on Saylorville Lake

Boomer Surgery

It was time for Boomer to be neutered.  Poor guy. 

Everything went super well, according to the vet...  he stayed at the vet most of the day, then I brought him home about 3ish.  He was super tired and didn't want to do ANYTHING!  It was so weird!  ha.  

By night time, he was doing better... a little perkier, but still not super active, which was fine.  He slept all night and did well.  Now day 2, he's back to his normal self --- a little pistol, but also gets tired faster.  So that's kind of nice!  

Love that little guy!!

Once we were home... he didn't move from this spot for hours.

Baseball Tournament #6

Our weekend was baseball...  we played in Pella this weekend, really nice facility.  

We had two games Saturday...  and they were both wins, the boys did well!  Fun to win.  Cora and I headed back to DSM, as Boomer was at the kennel, and honestly, I had no interest in staying in a hotel.  Ryan and K stayed in Pella at a hotel with a bunch of the teammates.  I think they had a nice time.  

Sunday morning we were back up and at em...  taking Mandi with us, so that was a super nice drive to have her to chat with.  Aces won their first game, did well...  but unfortunately went up against the champion of the tourney, and we lost.  We played fine, just not enough!!  

It was a pretty good weekend...  Cora did well for me, which was nice.  Kayson played well too... 

I love this picture. 

Elite Edge

For over a year, we've been mentioning 'competition' to Cora...  competition for dance.  And for over a year, Cora has said 'no'.  A firm no, with no real reason...  so I stopped mentioning it.  Honestly the only reason I mentioned it was because she's good...  she's a solid little dancer.  Obviously she's still very young, but she does well... and has learned a lot over the past year. 

So about two weeks ago, competition was mentioned again by Brittlyn and a few family members... and by golly - Cora said she was going out.   What?!  So we talked about it a little more... and soon enough, it ended up she was telling a few people about this.  ha. 

So the time came to fill out the paperwork.  Unfortunately there wasn't an actual try-out due to COVID, but I know Charlee has seen Cora dance, and has had her in several camps too... so she's aware of what Cora can do.   We filled out the paperwork... and found out yesterday that she made the team!!   Very exciting... and very expensive!  

We have an excited little girl... who has a lot to learn and hopefully will love this.  Dance will probably be her 'thing', so spending the money on it should be worth it!  :)

More to come... 

Baseball Tournament #5 & 4th of July

Wow, what a busy weekend.  I can't believe it's Monday already...  so tired!!!

We had an extended weekend, which was wonderful, and totally needed.  
Thursday I worked in the morning for a little bit.  Ryan took Thursday off, so that was nice... him and Kayson did a few errands.  Hope stayed home with Cora.  And I was off to get my hair done.  Super nice morning.  
They all went out for lunch - I think it was the first time out at a restaurant in MONTHS.  
Thursday afternoon we just hung out... did some cleaning, grocery shopping and a few errands.  

Friday was a 'holiday', we took it easy in the morning...  then Kayson went swimming with Carter White (to his grandma's house), so I know he had fun, and he was pooped!  We took Cora to Lifetime to the pool for a couple hours...  it was packed!!  We almost thought they shouldn't have had that many people there!!  We had a good time.

Friday night, Showalter's over so the kids could do sparklers, and that was about it...  easy, quick night. 

Saturday was 4th of July, with a baseball tournament.  We luckily played in the morning, so it wasn't AS hot, but the temps here have been pure summer temps -- hot and humid, with barely a breeze!  The boys were hot.  Unfortunately, two losses on Saturday.  

Saturday afternoon we were able to come home and relax a little, so that was good...  we needed.  Then it was off to more...  We went to Daughtery's to grill out, super fun, good people...  was a nice time.  Then we headed to Mosqueda's for a baseball gathering.  EXHAUSTED!!  But that was fun too...  I know the boys had a good time - fun off the field, so that was good.  Cora and I headed home fairly early, Ryan and K stayed longer to watch a little fireworks with them.  Busy night!

Sunday - two more games, ended in the silver bracket and we were 'runner-ups'!  We won our first game, our first game in a LONG time... Kayson did so well, I was so proud of him!  He played 2nd and Short Stop and just did great.    Second game was a loss, but we played well.  It was a good, HOT day.  Home to relax and get ready for the week.  

Carter Holcomb, K, Hud & Kyler

Game ball and Runner-Up medal

Struggling couple weeks

We had a busy week...  but also a struggling week(s) - kids have struggled.  

Cora had a summer dance camp all week, in the morning.  So that was super nice for her to have something to do in the morning.  Kayson just layed around unfortunately.  Their time with Hope has been a struggle...  they've been super disrespectful and rude, and it makes me so mad and embarrassed.   They pretty much don't listen to her, and don't want to do anything she suggests, which is frustrating.  I know they are bored... I know they are 'uncertain' of the future of school, etc...  I get it.  But they need to learn and be better.  

I sure hope that Hope is not too frustrated... I've said "sorry" to her (for their behavior) too many times!!

We did have a few fun moments...  did some tie-dying, which was fun.  Hope did help Kayson with some baseball stuff - going to the fields, so that was nice.    Just not enough to do... unfortunately, and when the kids are lazy, it's even harder!!!  #frustratedmomma