Kids & Life update

I talk about weekends a lot on here... which seems to be our normal 'busy' times.  
Week nights have been good and busy too!

Our schedule now is flowing like this --- 

Cora

Dance Mondays and Wednesdays (and Sundays)

Kayson

AI twice a week (we get to choose what works best)

He's also been shooting some at FarmClub

Sounds like basketball practices will start in October!

When the weather is nice after school or after activities - the kids are outside with neighbors.  It's great, but I also (sometimes) feel like we barely see them or barely talk!  I appreciate that they enjoy the neighbors (and they seem like good kids for the most part!!), and appreciate that the nights go by fast!!  But I do miss them!  ha. 

School has been going well.  Cora's enjoying 3rd grade.  We received a nice note from the teacher a couple weeks ago expressing that she enjoys Cora and Cora is a huge helper around the classroom.  Kayson is doing well too...  can't say that he says much about school/classes, but I think he's doing well.  They took their beginning of the year MAP testing, and he did ok... improved from last year.  We are still waiting to see if K made the OPUS Honor Choir. Crossing fingers on that!

I'm back to the office working twice a week - typically Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  I can't say that I like it much... unfortunately.  I struggle getting much done there...  because there's talking and collaborating (which can be good!!), but I do like my days at home to really tucker down and work with little distractions. 

I feel I've been terrible at taking pictures lately.  Kayson is definitely at the stage of 'no pictures', and Cora just is busy!!  

Weekend - Non stop!!

I don't think we 'stopped' much this weekend, except for when we were in the car!

Friday night - K went with friends to the Waukee homecoming game.  Man - how things have changed... he now goes with friends, he's dropped off and we pick him up later.  So different, but that's how life is now with an almost 13 year old!

Saturday we were up and at 'em -- heading to Iowa City for the Iowa game.  We all went, and Caleb joined us again.  We had a really good time!  We tailgated with Niky, Scott and Duke, along with Niky's Mom and one of her friends.  It was fun to see them and catch up.  I really enjoyed hanging with Niky!!  

The game was good... some dumb things by Iowa, but it was a win.  And another win was getting to see Brittlyn dance and also see her after the game on the field!  I mean, how cool is that!!!  It was fun squeezing her and just seeing her with her friends. 

We got home late... about 8:45pm... and we were pooped.  Caleb ended up staying over night, so they were up later than I had hoped, but I know they had fun. 

Sunday - another busy day.  

Cora had dance practice, then the Petite group all met at a nearby pumpkin patch for some fun.  However, it was brutally hot (nearly 90 degrees the end of September!!)  WHAT?!  I was over the heat!!  But we had a nice time, but honestly, we were ready to go after a couple hours. 

What a busy weekend...  I was absolutely exhausted by the time Sunday night rolled around.  

Weekend & bad luck!!

We are going on 3.5 weeks without a washing machine.  We are surviving, but man - we sure do take advantage of these little things!!  I was able to do a few loads at Hope's on Saturday...  nice to just hang out with her and Logan for awhile...  just me!  It was great!

Saturday and Sunday - Cora had Industry Xpericence convention - from about 12:30 to 3:00 each afternoon.  I think she had fun... she showed me some things they learned, and I'm always impressed that within that short amount of time, she remembers the choreography!!  

Saturday after dance, we went to Ryan's work fall party.  We felt we needed to go, and it was a nice time.  HOT, but good.  The kids had fun - bounce house and food trucks.  Ryan and K stayed at that til about dark...  meanwhile, Cora had a dance gathering for the entire competition team.  So her and I went out to that for an hour or so.  She was unfortunately upset with me because we were late.  (I of course told her that 1,000 times and also let the host know too!)  :(  

Sunday we went to church... then Cora off to dance... then Ryan and K off to watch friends play football... and I was off to do an errand and get groceries.  Unfortunately, when I came back out to the car with a LOAD full of food, my car wouldn't start.  Such a disappointment...  another battery, at about 35k miles (just like my last Explorer).  What the heck!?!?

Anyway, Ryan thankfully got that handled... and we were off to the rest of our day. 

Busy weekend...  and it was hot too!  I'm ready for fall weather... like 70s!!!  

Weekend - Iowa vs Iowa State and Baby Girl!

It was a great weekend... 

Saturday was the big Iowa/Iowa State game - and it was an Iowa win, which is always nice and relieving!  Saturday morning Cora and I did some errands...  lots of them.  I had several things on the list and she was coming with.  She did great.  We are finally having some family pictures taken the end of September and we need outfits, and because Cora is the picky one - we picked out her outfit.  It wasn't exactly what I was thinking, but she likes it and it'll work.  Fine by me.  

Saturday afternoon was the game... I did some laundry (over at Jen's because our washer is still giving us fits).  We hope to have it fixed today!!  Cora played with the neighbors all day long.  It was a nice day. 

Sunday Cora started up competition dance again...  we are now full steam ahead with competition and rec classes.  In addition, she made a trio!  Super exciting... and nervous too!  She will be dancing with Chloe and Tenley.  More to come on that!

Then after dance, we all headed up to Clarion for Hope & Logan's gender reveal party!  It's a GIRL!!!  YEA!  Hope was so thrilled, as all of the rest of us.  Another girl for this family...  so sweet!  We are so thrilled for them!!

And that was the weekend...  busy, fast, but good. 

We saw Britt on TV!!!  Go Hawks!

Look at Hope!!!  So excited!!!

We brought Mom a windchime and some fall flowers. 

Cora - 9 year well check

Another easy visit for sis.  It's been a full year since we've been at the doctor, which is always nice!!!

Stats are: 

76 lbs.

almost 4' 7"

She's grown about 2 inches since last year, and according to the charts - she's on track to be about my height (which is about 5' 6"... not very tall!)  

Long Labor Day weekend

We enjoyed the long Labor Day weekend!!

The kids didn't have school Friday (teacher work day), and no school/work on Monday for Labor Day.  It was exactly what we all needed.  We jammed stuff in, but enjoyed it too...  

Friday I did work a little from home...  Kids just hung out, were a little bored, but didn't do too bad.  

Saturday was a big day --- Ryan and K, along with Papa Mike and friend, Caleb went over to Iowa City for the first Iowa home FB game!  It was a win, a beautiful day and lots of fun for those boys.  I was happy K took a friend!  They got to see Brittlyn dance too, so that was special.  Sis and I hope to go over in a couple weeks. 

While the boys were in Iowa City, Cora and I went up to Clarion.  We hadn't been home in awhile, and I honestly didn't want to stay home for once!  So we made the trip, I did laundry at Tricia's (cuz our washing machine is giving us fits)  and we just hung out.  It was a great little day.  Cora was actually super sad to leave, which was sweet.  She sure loves them. 

Then Sunday we went to the farm to see Grandma Janis and whomever could make it!  It was another beautiful day and was just perfect.  We sat and visited, the kids played (rode tractors and the 4 wheeler), and just enjoyed the time.  No pictures taken unfortunately!!

Then Monday we spent just home and chilling.  Cora had a birthday party to go in the afternoon, and I know she had fun.  I did some cleaning and mentally preparing myself to go back into the office on Tuesday.  :(  I'm not enjoying it so far!!

Good weekend tho!