My Kate

It seems like I'm always telling stories or talking about Brett lately. I really don't mean to favor him. It's just that I spend so much time with him while Kate is in school and he is at that age where he is discovering & doing so many new things.

But Katelyn is too. She is a 2nd grader this year. She is doing so well in school. She is a good student and also a good citizen. She is always getting "compliments" and "sunshine awards". She is proud of being a Brownie. She is an awesome defender. She gets excited about making up her own songs, dances and plays. Most days she loves her brother and is a great big sister. She can do a cartwheel, climb a tree, ride a 2-wheeler and read most any book she chooses. She makes me so proud of her & I don't tell her that enough. I'm going to try to do that more - really let her know how proud I am of her.


You my dear, Kate, are awesome! I love you and am so proud to be your mommy!

Wacky Wednesday Hike

It was another Wednesday - another early out, off for fun, Wacky Wednesday. I asked what they wanted to do this time - go to Africa at the zoo, go on a hike, go to the library or make up their own idea. They decided on a hike. First, we had to run by home & change in to appropriate hiking gear. This is what they came up with.


He's a little bit obsessed with Indiana Jones. He was ready to do some major exploring - or maybe a little exploring & a little monkeying around.



Not sure what was going on with Kate. First she came down with a pink tulle sparkle skirt - adorable? Yes. Hike worthy? I don't think so. This is what she changed into.


I'm not sure why she chose to dress as a blind hiker. She insisted on having that "walking stick". Or maybe she was going for a jazz musician look.




We had a great hike & another wild & wacky Wednesday! Can't wait until our next adventure!

How can he be so ornery and so sweet at the same time?

Lately, Brett has been having a really tough time. Or maybe I should say, I've been having a really tough time. He has been pushing limits - pushing and pushing and pushing. Some days he makes me so angry, exasperated, exhausted with the not listening and constantly telling me no. I know a lot of it is a response to me not being around quite as much, him starting school and just being a four year old boy.

And then there are times like tonight that make me want to scoop him up, love him and never let him grow up. As he was going to bed tonight, he told me that Sarah, our neighbor, wants to marry him. Then he told me he doesn't want to marry her. We talked about how that will be a long way off and he doesn't have to marry anyone if he doesn't want to. Then he started to cry and when I asked what was wrong he said, "the person I want to marry is already married." I asked, "Who do you want to marry?" Through his sobs, he said, "I want to marry you!" "oh sweetie, I will be so old when you want to get married. And I'll always love you and be your Mama." More tears, lots of kisses, a couple lullabies and he was sound asleep.



How is it he can be so ornery and so sweet all in about 30 minutes?

Soccer Season Off & Kicking!

Both kids have been begging to play soccer since last fall. We missed the sign up for fall. We were too busy for spring. So this summer I signed them up for the fall. Everyone was excited for the first practice - new cleats, new ball, new experiences! After the first practice, no one wanted to go anymore - too hot, too many new experiences, too little knowledge of soccer. It was like pulling teeth to just get to practice & get them to play in the games.



They play two games every Saturday and have practice one night a week (different nights of course). After Kate's first game, she really started getting into it. She is a DEFENDER. Her coach pumped her up about what a great DEFENDER she would be & now that's all she can talk about when talking soccer.



She really is doing a great job!

Last night they had games instead of practice. They even got to play under the lights - very exciting.





She is really becoming quite the DEFENDER and getting into the games.

Brett really enjoyed playing for the first couple weeks and still will occasionally, but he uses his soccer time a little more for social time instead. He's found a little girl named Hannah that he really likes. So now he only wants to play if Hannah is playing. If they are put in a different times, he wants out when she goes out so they can "hang out" on the side line. She's the little blonde.



He is pretty smooth about getting by her. If you get between him & Hannah, he will ease you out of the way without you really even realizing it.



Smooth I tell you.

Wacky Wednesdays

I've decided Wednesday afternoons are going to be our day o'fun this year.
Wednesday mornings, we all have to go to school in the morning. Brett has pre-K. I have office hours at the college and Kate has 2nd grade, of course. But this year, Raytown schools have early release every Wednesday at 2pm. So I leave campus at 1, pick up Brett at 1:30 and get Kate at 2. Now we are free to play. It's like having a bonus 2 hours in the day just to play.


Our first Wednesday of Fun was a trip to the zoo. We hadn't been since late spring and we were due. It was the perfect day - overcast and not too hot.

Our first stop was Nikita - the newest addition to the zoo. She is beautiful.



We didn't have a lot of time, so we took the Asia/Australia path and went to visit the monkeys, tigers and kangaroos







and Buddha of course.



My monkeys climbed the big tree



We took a train ride, multiple carousel turns and even got free popcorn. I promised next time we'd go to Africa. So don't worry Nikita, we'll see you soon - maybe next Wednesday!

Meeting Nikita was Zoo-rific!

Nikita is the newest addition to the Kansas City Zoo. She is a Polar Bear! She is amazing and huge and wonderful. And we finally made it out to see her.