Cora Nightmares??

The last 3 or 4 nights, our Cora has been experiencing some nightmares or walking in sleep/talking in sleep.  It has been very odd for her - as she's our quiet, hard sleeper and very rarely do we hear from her in the middle of the night. 

One evening, she had been asleep for about 2 hours...  and woke us up screaming 'bloody murder' as we like to call it - she was in the living room when she woke us screaming, sitting the couch with her iPad in her hands, screaming and crying.  It was very hard to get her to calm down... she was definitely 'out of it' and said she couldn't sleep.  

One evening, she had been sleeping just a short time, and came out of her room upset, explaining that she couldn't find her softie and she was going to play.  We got her into her room, and she was crying very hard telling us she was going to play, and then she was just inconsolable for a long period of time.  Eventually she 'woke' and was still pretty upset and took her awhile to calm back down. 

This is very upsetting to me and concerning...  I always wonder what's going on in these little minds.  When we try talking to her about it in the morning, she said she doesn't want to talk about it.  It's like she kind of remembers, but not enough to talk about it... but knows something happened and she's embarrassed.  Poor thing. 

2021 Thanksgiving weekend

Man it was great having 5 full days away from work, with the kids and just taking our time honestly.  We didn't rush to anything, which was great. 

Kids were off school Wednesday through Friday...  Wednesday they were a little bored, but in the afternoon, Kayson had a few friends over.  The weather was great, so they played basketball for a couple hours.  I know he enjoyed that. Cora and I kept busy doing this and that...  then unfortunately Wednesday evening she started getting really quiet and tired.  She was running a low fever.  So weird!!!  We just took it easy, pumped her with meds and she slept.  

Thursday was Thanksgiving Day - Cora woke with a fever still, but lower than Wednesday night.  We decided to go to my sisters, and she just sat all day...  kept away from everyone.  The whole time, she said she felt fine, just tired.  Her fever hovered at 99 all day.  But regardless, she did well... and the rest of us enjoyed our time with the Hardy family.  There's always plenty of laughs there... it's just funny how much we laugh!  ah.   We headed home about supper time...  hit the sack and Friday was a new day. 

Friday --- Cora was completely fever free, and was back to herself by late morning... sassy and dancing around.  I mean how weird is that?  I don't know what the heck that was. 

Anyway, Friday we just hung out and it was great.  We got the Christmas decor out and the two trees.  Cora was a huge help, which I enjoyed.  The weather was great too...  so we went for walks, and just enjoyed the day.  Friday night Cora had a birthday party to go to in Ankeny...  she begged to go, and we let her as she was acting fine.  It was a dance friend's party, so we rode with Michelle and Cora A to save a trip...  Michelle and I grabbed supper and walked around Target for a bit while the girls were at the party.  It was a very nice night. 

And then all of the sudden it was the weekend - those three days went fast!  We headed to Creston, as Blair and Martina and kids were there for the day.  We had lunch and the kids played and played.  Again, great weather, so I think the boys were outside most of the time.  Fun with those kiddos. 

We headed home late afternoon and just chilled Saturday night. 

Sunday the kids and I went to Sunday School... then back home and did our normal Sunday things.  It was a nice day and somewhat went slow. 

Overall, great 5 day weekend...  it was nice to have a little break.  Now we have just about 3 1/2 weeks until Christmas!  The kids have a ton of time off for Winter break, so I'll figure out some time off for me and hope to have another nice little break. 

We barely have leaves!

Good to have all the cousins together with Papa Paul

So many leaves at Papa Mike's!

Happy 2nd birthday to Boomer!

Sunday, November 21 - our Boomer turned 2!!

What a little stinker, but also such a sweetie. 

Weekend & AIA Gym Rats Fall Brawl tournament

Friday night Ryan and I had dinner with Klehn's and Parker's.  I thought it was a nice evening, doing something different with them and just getting out.  Hopefully the others had fun too.  We left the kiddos at home, Gradyn came and hang with them, so that was fun for the boys.  I think Cora was bored, but Kayson said she did fine.  

Saturday we had two basketball games... unfortunately, both losses - up against some tough, big teams.  I know Kayson was frustrated.  They try so hard... and man, they were tired.  Trish and Greg came to the first game, so was nice to see them a little. 

The rest of the afternoon, Cora and I kept busy.  We took Boomer to the dog park, he had a blast!  Then we went and visited Hope and Logan.  We hadn't seen them in awhile... Hope's belly is growing, which is so fun!  And they have baby furniture!  So pretty.  It was a good little visit.  Saturday night we just hung out at home. 

Sunday - a day to sleep in!  We hung out, sis had dance, and I was kind of lazy...  and then K had one more game Sunday afternoon.  Another loss.  

The weekend was over just like that...  

Cora 3rd Grade Fall Conferences

We finally had Cora's conferences... Elementary always waits until before the holiday break. 

All good things from Mrs. Flack, which is always such a blessing. 

Some things that I'd like to remember:

Cora's Mission Statement - Cora is caring, follows directions, responsible and smart.  :)

Her favorite thing - Is math, because we are learning about multiplication and division. 

Reading Goal for the end of 3rd Grade is Level P - Cora is at level Q. 

It was a great meeting with Mrs. Flack.  We really like Mrs. Flack, as Kayson had her as well.  She's just so fun and real with us. She said Cora is a great asset to her class and she is such a big helper, and always willing to lend a hand or help another student. She said Cora comes into class with a smile on her face always.  I love to hear this. 

Weekend and playing catch up

Honestly, not much has been going on here...  just same days, same weeks!  

Dance and basketball and AI have been the kids' stories.  Cora's been working hard at dance - working on her trio dance a lot, and finally wrapping up the two large groups she's in.  She's been showing the dances at home, and they are looking good.  Kayson seems to be enjoying basketball...  good kids, so that's nice.  

Kayson and Ryan, along with Papa Mike, Lester and Brody went to the Iowa game on Saturday... a cold day!!!  Kayson skipped a basketball tournament, which we were fine with, as he has really enjoyed spending these Saturdays with his Dad and it's been a goal for him to go to as many games as he could!  I'd say he did pretty good at that goal.  

Cora and I just hung out while the boys were gone.  We were productive tho...  cleaned out her terrible closet!  I swear, that closet will be the death of me!  ha.  It's just an odd shaped closet, and she has thrown stuff in there...  so we cleaned it up, threw away stuff, organized and shifted some things to the basement.  Much better. 

She also had her friend, Zoe, over for a couple hours.  That was nice for her, but unfortunately Boomer is annoying when we have people over. I need to work on training better!!

2021 Titans Dance Convention

I had signed up Cora for the Titans Dance convention...  knowing it would be a big convention, but again, wanting to get her to experience those types of venues and experiences.  It was an all day convention on Sunday - dropped her off at 7:20 Sunday morning, and picked her up about 3:30 Sunday afternoon.  I could see it in her face and eyes...  poor kid.  

But in the end, she did talk about the day - she enjoyed the musical theater class, and the hip hop class... then the "photo shoot" during lunch break.  That made me giggle.  They had a good amount of free time over lunch, so Miss Charlee kept them busy by getting them outside and getting fresh air - and doing some fun photos together.  That was nice. 

Cora was pooped... and even more tired this morning.  She woke in tears.  I felt bad.  

AIA Fall Frenzy Tournament

Saturday was K's first tournament with the new team. 

They played up in Ames, and went 3 and 0!!  Which was super exciting!!  It was a good scrimmage type day - playing all of the AIA teams (both teams from Ames and then the other 7th grade team from DSM).  It was fun to watch the DSM teams play against each other - we know quite a few of the boys, so always cheering for both teams.  It was fun.  A good day. 

Kayson was absolutely wiped out, as he should have been! 

7th Grade All Iowa Attack basketball

Kayson officially made the AIA team awhile ago... can't remember if I posted about that or not.  Regardless, he's in, and he's in with a few of his good friends --- Ben, Gradyn, Matt, Jaden, Colby and Jack.  

They've only had a few practices so far... and have their first tournament this weekend!  We are being told it's more of a scrimmage, just to get used to each other, and get the jitters out.  It'll be interesting!!

I'm excited to see it all come together, and also to spend some time with some families that we are close with.  That always makes things soooo much better.  :)  

More to come!!

Kayson 7th Grade Bass Clef Choir Concert

It's been a couple years since the kids have had choir concerts in person... Last night, Kayson participated in the 7th grade bass clef concert.  All boys - about 30 of them maybe.  

It was a short concert - 3 songs, we were done in 13 minutes.  Seems silly, but it was nice.  

We got a few pictures with some friends, which is always nice.  

with Caleb

with Ben and Matt

and off to basketball right after the concert!

Weekend & Halloween!

Happy Halloween... that means fall is wrapping up to me, and it'll be winter, then Christmas.  Yikes!

Friday the kids didn't have school...  which unfortunately makes for a long day for them.  I had to work, so I couldn't spend a ton of time tending to them, so they were lazy and bored!  I hate days like that.  

Saturday seemed to be a busy day...  we took it easy in the morning which was great.  Then Cora had a birthday party to go to (one of the dance girls), so while the girls were there, a few moms got together for a drink.  Super fun to just sit and chat.  Then Saturday night was Beggar's Night - Kayson ended up having Hud and Caleb over to hang/hand out candy and sleep over.  They think they are getting to big for trick or treat night, but honestly - I was perfectly fine with them hanging out with Ryan and me.  We had a really good time.  Cora dressed as a policewoman and looked adorable.  She walked the streets with a few neighbor girls.  After Beggar's Night was done, Ryan and I went down to the neighbors and hung out there for awhile... kids were just at home.  That's the nice thing about their age... we can just 'leave' them for a bit!  It was a fun night. 

Sunday - lazy day!!!  Cora had dance.  K's friends headed home.  I didn't even get groceries!!  Lazy!

We got Boom a jacket.  He hates it!

Fun night dressing up at dance!

Cora the cop!

Love these boys!

Sneak peek of Cora's trio dance!

Sneak peek of Large Group jazz!