Kayson's 13th birthday!

We have a TEENAGER!!!  What?!?!  How in the heck did that happen? I swear we were just bringing him home from the hospital!  Man, K is officially 13 and showing the tude!!  We love him so much, but he definitely has changed in the past 4 months or so.  He's got a big heart and doesn't want to disappoint, however, there are times when he really doesn't care much and is very lazy!!  

I think he had a good day...  always hard on Christmas, but he seemed to get everything he wanted, and enjoyed his time with his big cousins... and stayed up late... and all the things.  :) 

2021 Christmas Day

Santa treated us well, and we treated the kids amazingly, I would say.  :)

It was a great Christmas Day - the weather was nearly 50 degrees, the sun was out, and there was no wind!  We took a family picture outside, and I didn't have shoes on!!!  

We celebrated together in the morning, just us, and it was great.  I think the kids were happy!  A few things that were 'big' and the kids really enjoyed:

Kayson - new nightstand for his room, he asked for that!  He got new bedding and curtains for his room too - making his room a big kids room now.  No longer a baby!  He got a men's basketball (the true size he needs), some cool shoes (that we need to exchange for a bigger size!), a few sweatshirts and a wallet!

Cora - dream duffle for dance and all the goodies inside it, clothes, Ulta gift cards (which she loved and has spent already!), Air Pods, pillow and some cool shoes.  

It was a great morning...  then soon, my family arrived.  We were hosting this year...  it was exactly what Dad needed.  We got him out of the house, no worries about the weather, it was perfect.  The kids had fun with the big kids - especially Salvi (as he brought his Oculus!!).  So much fun.  

We had yummy soups, and just enjoyed the day... it was perfect.  and we were all exhausted at the end of the day!!!

Cora - Ear infection

When was the last time sis had an ear infection?  Seems like forever ago!!

We have continued to have rough nights of sleep...  not many night mares, but definitely having trouble falling asleep.  And last night topped things off for me, and Cora.  Cora woke about 1:35 am - complaining that her ear hurt.  Her right ear, and she was rubbing it and very uncomfortable.  I gave her Tylenol, and tried to get her back to sleep.  A long 4 hours later... yes, 4 hours - she fell asleep on the couch around 6:00 am.  OMG.  It was awful.  The entire night she was restless, crying, telling me her ear hurt and it wasn't getting any better. 

I was able to get her into the doctor... and instantly the doc said the ear was 'bad'.  Poor kid.  While I had the doctor's attention, I did ask about the night terrors...  he said that more than likely they are a phase, that we are trying all the right things.  One additional thing we could try is Melatonin.  He also mentioned that possibly the ear infection could be a cause of the sleeping troubles, but Cora wasn't really able to put her finger on it...

We will see.  Regardless, we have meds and I pray that we see some improvement in a day or so.  
What a night!!!  Yawn.

Girls Weekend/Coralville Classic basketball tournament

The week and weekend went pretty fast. 

Kayson's braces treated him pretty well - he was sore for about 4 days or so...  we've been doing a little Tylenol to knock the main pain...  he seems to be eating fairly normal, and not too many complaints.  

Friday night, Ryan and K headed to Coralville.  There was a basketball tournament over there - the entire weekend (starting Saturday early afternoon, ending late Sunday afternoon).  Cora and I decided to just stay home.  They boys did well - winning 2 out of 4, apparently tho getting killed the last couple games.  They were short a kid, but also the teams were much taller.  We've got to get those boys to grow tall!!

I think Ryan and K had a good time... I mean, they don't really tell me much, but they survived!  Saturday night they went to the Iowa Women's basketball game, taking Jaden with too.  Brittlyn was dancing there, and they didn't have anything else to do.  Tickets were cheap, and it was something to do.  I'm glad they went... and were able to see Britt and talk with Niky.  Sunday they just hung out at the hotel - making for a long day... then two games in the afternoon.  They got home about 8:00 Sunday night.  

One picture:

Cora and I kept busy on Saturday...  did some shopping and finishing up some wrapping.  She loves to help wrap gifts, which is fun.  We also met up with Tiff and Zaylee to get our nails done.  So much fun.  Then the rest of the day was just chilling.  We watched a little Christmas movie and that was that!  Sunday Cora had dance...  I did some cleaning while she was there, then more relaxing in the afternoon.  I have to say - should have done more, but it was really nice to just sit and watch a couple random movies on TV.  I enjoyed it!

It was a nice weekend.  Kids just have a couple days of school then they have winter break.  I know we will go crazy together, but I'm happy to have them home and just be together. 

Braces are on!!

As of this morning, Kayson officially has his top braces on!  And that terrible expander is out!  :)  I think he's so excited for that portion!!  

The appointment was about an hour and 15 minutes...  and K came home and said it went well, actually said it was "pretty easy".  I was thrilled to hear that, cuz I was nervous, and I know he was too!

He has a pile of things to use to keep those teeth clean, so here we go with this new stage in life!!  

I'm so excited to see how his teeth change!!

Weekend

Week & Friday:  It seemed like another busy weekend.  Something going on each evening... and then all of the sudden it's 9:30 at night, and we are pooped.  Even Kayson is up late most nights due to basketball practice.  I know we are all looking forward to our break from school and sports.  

Friday night - Trish and Greg were in town shopping, so they came and spent a couple hours with us.  We grabbed some supper in, and just hung out.  Super fun - Cora and Uncle Greg were buds.  So cute.  Kayson was at a birthday party for Hudsen...  I think he had a good time.  

Saturday:  We were able to take it slow in the morning... then we headed up to Ames for another basketball tournament. Unfortunately, our luck wasn't the best.  K's team got smoked the first game - man those 7th graders looked like 9th graders!!  Big and strong.  K got beat up a little, landing on the floor once and beat up his knee and elbow pretty bad.  Two loses on Saturday, which wasn't that much fun!!  Trish, Greg, and Hope came to the games, and JeanAnn and Mike.  Always good to have a fan base for Kayson. 

Following the games, we went to Hickory Park to eat... then home.  Ryan and I went to the mall later in the evening to get a few things off the lists... kids just stayed home and chilled.  Really nice to be able to do that... they are old enough that they can stay home on their own!

Sunday:  Another portion of the basketball tournament - one loss, then one win.  Finally.  Boost their confidence a little!  Ryan took K, as I stayed home as Cora had dance.  I did a little around the house, but otherwise, we layed low Sunday - which was much needed. 

Seems like the weekend went fast too... only a couple weeks til Christmas!  I didn't take many pictures... totally should have gotten a pic of K's fan base.  

Cora Nightmares update

Well, unfortunately, the night mares and bad sleeping has continued for our Cora.  It's been pretty inconsistent, but enough to still bother me and her.  

A few nights have been ok...  with no nightmares, she still has a big issues falling asleep.  It could be at least 30 to 45 minutes before she calms down and falls asleep.  That's hard... and so not like her.  

Things we've been trying - 

• calming, instrumental music in her room... she actually seems to like it
• Lavender oil - which isn't new, but been more consistent with it
• sitting with her and just calming her down...  holding her sweet hand  (guess I won't get these opportunities much often, I'm sure)

I just pray this was a phase... and we are near the end of it.  

AIA Duel in December tournament

A great weekend on the courts for AIA DSM Black!  The short 'staffed' team went 4 and 0 this weekend up in Ames.  Saturday we all were able to go and watch...  Mike and JeanAnn came, along with my Dad, Jill, Ashley and Lindsay.  So nice of them.  

Kayson had two great games Saturday... super proud of him.  His defense was great, and got some points on the board too!  Was a good day. 

Sunday, K woke with a terrible headache and sore throat...  thankfully we were able to chill in the morning, and he perked up a little... but he definitely was pooped.  Not sure if it's a virus, or just exhaustion.  We had him play Sunday...  and he fought through it.  I couldn't be there, as Cora had dance and a birthday party to go to.  But the team won 2 more games, ending in the championship title!!  I was super proud of them!  How fun. 

There is one thing I'm learning with teens... and the possibility that K was exhausted and maybe not 100% - but there was no excitement when he got home.  Didn't seem happy at all.  I was so irritated and frustrated...  not even Ryan could show happiness.  Having a teen is so hard... and heartbreaking at times too.  

Anyway, I'm happy for him and his team, and hopefully the winning continues!!

SWCC Hall of Fame

Uncle Bill and his 1998-1999 Men's basketball team that he coached at SWCC was inducted into the SWCC Athletic Hall of Fame Friday evening.  We headed down there to be a part of that, and honor Bill.  Man, we miss him. 

Steve Forbes, who was a coach with him back then...  he now coaches at Wake Forest, spoke virtually about Uncle Bill and their memories and spoke of how wonderful Bill was and what a legacy he had started, and left.  It was a wonderful speech.  

It was a nice evening to see some family and be there for Joni, Colby & Jenna.