July 2017

July in a quick synopsis...
New bed and frame for Jeff and Amanda-yay!, Hall Coach training at church (going to start that position rather than teaching in a room this fall), a trip to the zoo one morning, birthday festivities (more details below), MOPS planning meetings for next year and MOPS Steering Team retreat (Friday night and Saturday morning until lunch, a time to get to know the ladies and what each role has planned for the new year), a NARI tailgate and StormChasers game (the kids could go to the kids area, which was a hit!), a trip to the Lincoln zoo to meet our old neighbors, weather cooled off-so less trips to the pool, meet Jeff for lunch, and final punch list items finished, then celebration pizza dinner at Breadeaux Pizza in Ashland with Papa and Gemma.  
Eagle house went on the market and we got a full price offer!!  We had another possible one, but they decided rooms were too small.  So, we signed our seller documents (with all the kids in tow) the afternoon of the 18th then the buyers closed on July 21st!  The family has 7 kids and is so excited to move into the house and we are so excited to have it sold!  
The kids got to start their free month at Kids Warrior Gym - they like it so far!  With the first month they're open being free, there are a lot of kids in the class.  I told them we'd try it for this month and pay for August, then decide what to do.  Once school starts it may be too much for an evening after all day at school.  So, that's where we end July - school starts in two weeks for both kiddos, summer is nearly over.

Samara's Moments for the Month:

• Daddy took Samara and Kalum out on Zorinsky in the boat to fish.  She was very disappointed that there were no fish caught on their early morning trip.  Oh well...another time in the boat perhaps.
• Samara had to get two fillings on teeth that are close together. :(  She is supposed to floss every night, but ended up with two small cavities anyway.  I'm guessing she'll step up the flossing going forward.  She was really brave and listened as they explained everything (except the shot, they just had her close her eyes and said there would be a pinch).  Once they were done, she got up, gave me a hug and started to cry.  I think she put on her brave face, but was nervous the whole time.
• She is 7 years old!!  She started at Kids Warrior Gym - loved it!  She had an Ice Cream themed birthday party since cake is not her favorite dessert.  We set up an ice cream topping bar and let the 4 kids that were at her party create sundaes.  She's now officially 48" tall, only grew 1.5" this past year compared to 3" years prior.  She's been doing well over the summer so far, playing with her brothers especially Kalum for hours a day usually. She loves going to the pool!  She likes to get to watch a tv show during lunch when I let them (a living room tv picnic).  She seems to know when she's doing eye and nose tics and remarks when she's gone a long time without doing it.  We have noticed less nighttime waking with bad dreams over the summer.  She's still going to the therapist weekly, but will likely wrap up at end of July.
• She had her first time experience with swimming at a lake and loved it!!  My friend Monica invited us out to her family's cabin in South Bend on a Friday afternoon while she was visiting Omaha.  Besides one spider web incident, Samara enjoyed it as much as the pool.  She floated on the raft and swam back (life jacket on).  She jumped in, tried to find and catch minnows in her hands, found a snail and wanted to bring it home of course!  I did convince her to let it live free and in the wild on a shady part of the dock.

Kalum's Moments for the Month:

• He liked the Kids Warrior Gym, was a little nervous at first and was glad he was in the same class as Samara.  He hurt his finger (very minor) but otherwise seemed to enjoy trying all the obsatcles.  He is always up for a snack and always seems to need a drink of water before the other kids.  He will definitely whine if you let him...
• He has liked going to the pool and having time to play all summer.  He also got to enjoy his first time lake swimming!  He was totally not concerned about the murky lake water.  He was jumping in off the steps, playing on the float raft and sitting on the pool noodles.  Had a mesh of swimsuit incident, but he came out okay.  Whew! (Several moments of internal mom panic going on there for sure!)
• He really likes his clothes to match.  If shirt is green, he'll want shorts and socks to go as well.  We've tried to explain that things like black and khaki can go with multiple things and maybe looking like a crayon (all in one color) isn't the ideal look.  ;)
• Now that Samara has had her party, he is all about planning his and telling me what he wants as presents.  Okay, let me know in a couple months kiddo!

Wesson's Milestones and Moments for the Month:

• He loves his cousin, Noah!  He says "Wawa" for Noah and he was so excited to get to see him at Papa and Gemma's house Saturday for 4th of July celebration.  He said his version of "baby Jonas" that day, too.
• He really understands instructions!  Maybe the other two kids did as well, but I'm so impressed when I say, "take your cup to the counter when you're done", and he does!  He even carries his little plate over after many meals (without my saying anything, jsut sees big kids do it).  Starting to imitate counting, colors when named and abc's song.  He sings a version of Happy Birthday to whatever name comes to mind first.  By mid-month he is a repeating machine!!
• Lake swimming first!  He wasn't so sure about getting in the water at first.  I had to hold him so that his feet just barely touched the water.  After a while he was okay with his body getting in too. He liked laying on the raft and just floating over the gentle rolling waves from passing boats.  He really enjoyed playing with Madelyn (Monica's daughter) as well.  Thanks Monica for sharing the afternoon and lake with us!!
• He actually sits on the seat and uses feet to move the balance bike.  Before he was just walking around, straddling the bike.
• I usually wake up to him standing by my bed saying "cereal" "duddies" while trying to push buttons on my phone that is charging on my nightstand.  He wants me to turn on his favorite toddler video "Curious Buddies" and get him some cereal to munch on.  He still wakes at night usually once a night, but usually just because has rolled off his mattress and I think he's confused.  I just put him back in bed and he sleeps.
• Names of family members: He used to say Kal, then something that sounds like Kammer, now says Kamum.  Still calls Samara, "Sissy" (which she loves).  He says "Sasa" for Wesson - getting there!  
• He has an opinion on how things are done now and wants to do them all himself.  We are hearing a lot more "stop!" "don't" lately.  He even said "Don't brush hair!" to me one day when I used my brush to smooth his 'do.
• End of the month he actually asked me "why?" on three different occasions when I asked him to do something.  Tell me we aren't to that phase yet, kids?!

July Pictures

June 2017

Summer is going so quickly, already four weeks down!  

• This month we packed in playtime at home (really what the kids LOVE to do), a women's bible study on Tuesday evenings, a playdate in Arlington at a MOPS friends' farm, dance recital, seeing our Dads for Father's Day (lunch with Derbys in Eagle on Saturday then they took the kids until evening and lunch at Pennells on Sunday.) and of course Sunday school, church, and all the normal summer stuff.
• We took a trip to Milford Sate Park in Kansas with the Derby family on 23-25th.  It was almost four hours away and in the end the algae levels were too high to get in the water, but we got to stay in cabins, have campfires, kayak, take a walk, play at the park, ride Aaron's parent's boat, and have picnic lunches/dinners.  It was a fun family trip with all of Jeff's family and Michelle's in-laws, the Holmbergs.  There were discussions of making it an annual thing (maybe a different location since everyone is in NE now though!)
• Summer U was at our church the last week of June.  All the kids had fun with the spy themed crafts, activities, science experiments, stories and large group with the high school kids putting on a song/play each day.  Samara seems to think she's found her calling in 8 years. ;)
• Eagle house continues to get closer to done!  Jeff's been working hard on the finishing items (which always add up).  Mulch went in this month, making the outside now picture worthy.  Inside we were finishing up trim, basement and any other items needing tied up.  Ready to officially go on the market soon!
• Amanda's MOPS table had a fun night - baby shower/game night.  MOPS is now done for the year and it was such a blessing to be involved on leadership again.  My role as publicity was a good fit and way to ease back into Steering Team for sure.  Our current Coordinator asked if I would be interested/willing to step into the Coordinator role when she is done.  I had already considered what my response would be if they asked and I said yes.  I know there are a few hectic times of planning and executing items during the year, but I'm looking forward to serving in that role staring this summer/fall.  I'm transitioning the Publicity role to another mom and I'll be the Co-Coordinator for 2017-2018, then Coordinator after that for two years.  Locked into MOPS for sure, but that's a good thing!

Samara's Moments for the Month:

• She was explaining how something would be and inadvertently combined catastrophe and disaster.  Haha, good one, may use that!
• She continued to go meet with Deb at City Care during the month of June.
• She has been loving our Gretna pool membership!  becoming quite the fish (or mermaid if you ask her).  She can kind of do a handstand underwater.  She likes to try and swim like a mermaid.  She can do the back float if you help her start, need to time the length, maybe 10 seconds.
• Samara's dance rehearsal and recital were June 10th-11th.  She really enjoyed getting makeup done, hair done (thanks to "the perfect bun" thing that I got at target, made it so that dreaded bobby pins were barely needed).  She had fun performing and knew her dances all the way through.  I had fun watching her and reminiscing of my recital days.  She kind of wanted to keep dancing for next year after the recital, but I think it was the "performance high" as she still seems more excited about Kids Warrior Gym starting in July.
• Samara was a big helper with all her cousins on our trip!  She was watching out for them and playing with them.
• Jumped off the diving board first time try!  She got on diving board and jumped right in to (well, kind of ON) Daddy.  She had fun on the first evening swim session with Daddy of the summer.  The big kids got to go into the deeper water and jump in to Daddy while I took Wesson to the baby pool area.  We can't do that when just I'm there with the 3 kids.  It was a fun kick off to the weekend!

Kalum's Moments for the Month:

• The kids brought a movie each to watch in the van ride to KS.  Kalum got to watch his Ninja Turtle selection on the way there, so it was Annie on the way home.  Apparently it was no not interesting to Kalum that it forced him to sing made up songs of made up words for a while on the way home. I've never heard him do that before, too funny.
• Since I taught Samara's class last year at Summer U, I said I would teach Kalum's this year.  It was fun to see him in action, enjoying big group, knowing all the answers to the questions about the big group story, enjoying special yummy snacks and doing crafts.  When making the paper grocery sack "coat of many colors" he was lining the strips up precisely so there were no overlaps all the way across.  He was definitely more particular about his project than basically all the other kids.  He even pointed out to one of the other boys that his coat was missing a certain color.  Perfectionist much?!
• Kalum got to attempt the diving board for his first time ever!  It took several tries with balks, one where the lifeguard lowered him in, another finally dragging him off board because too scared and other kids were waiting.  After some jumps to Daddy off the side of the pool, he warmed up and braved jumping in off the board!

Wesson's Milestones/Moments for the Month:

• He's starting to repeat things he hears (not just when you ask him to say things).  Kids were watching the rest of Beauty and the Beast on the way home from Eagle on evening.  Kalum asks after the beast is injured at the end, "Did he die?"  Wesson from his car seat, where he had been just babbling, "Die! Die! Die! Die! Die!"  Well we better be sure we watch what we're saying around him now...
• By mid-June he can actually jump and his feet leave the ground a little.  Also can point to and say body and face parts on his own-eye, nose, chin, neck, forehead, eyebrows, knee, head, hair, toe, mouth and ear.  He always seems to be babbling and saying something.  Most of the time it's babble but some words make sense so you can tell what he's getting at.
• A cute baby phrase is already gone from his vocab.  He called his blanket "diddy" until end of June.  Now says "ki-ki" and in blanKIE.  Cute to hear him saying things more clearly each day.

June pictures

May 2017

May - Summer is here!!  Here's this month's highlights in list form, we've got to get caught up here, as fall is around the corner!

• For Mother's Day weekend, we had dinner at Lazlo's with Derbys on Saturday and then visited Grandma Kunes and Poppy following by dinner after at Pennells.  Courtney and I got the kids together to make keychain gifts for the Grandmas (oh, and for us, too).  Jeff was sweet and got me a gift card for a massage - now just to get it scheduled sometime!
• Jeff had his mentor group Retreat this month, a Friday evening through Saturday afternoon.  They had some fun guy time at Mahoney and got to know each other better.  Despite adding book reading, Jeff has been glad he committed to this group for the year.
• We had a couple playdates at parks with Courtney and the boys as well as meeting some other moms with kiddos.
• We took all the kids out to Zorinksy for an evening boat ride at the beginning of the month.  Wesson wanted nothing to do with the life jacket and thought he could just climb out ONTO the smooth water.  So, I opted to have Jeff turn the boat around and we waited on the shore.  The older kids and Jeff have enjoyed some trips to the lake to try to catch some fish, but they've been elusive thus far.
• We're all ready for a break from the routine of school and some low-key days at home, or "stay at home" days as the kids call them.

Samara's Moments for the Month:

• She was so excited that they got to see and pet new baby chicks at school today!  One teacher has them in an incubator and they hatched. "So soft and cute" she said.
• May 9th we had a Mommy-Samara night!  We went to meet her therapist, to Target for a new pair of shoes (size 13?!?!) and a pair of shoes for Mommy, Hobby Lobby quickly, then a surprise stop at YoYo Berri.  Her school had a fundraiser night so I thought we'd stop in.  She loved seeing and saying Hi to kids she knew there.  While we were driving she said, "I love running errands"  Me: You do?  Why is that?  S: "Because I get to spend time with you and talk."
• Samara has been participating up for her dance recital - likes having a routine to remember and perform, not just moves to practice.
• Mid-May - They did end of the year reading level testing and she tested at first grade reading level.  She reads everything she can now, books (even just on her own in bed), cereal boxes and signs we pass.  It's fun to see her learning and hoping this summer we can instill the reading habit firmly by getting her some bigger kid books.
• This month brought dance pictures, which she said went better than she thought it would.  Her group pic is in tap and she took her solo in ballet, which is her favorite costume.  They all looked so cute!  Her bun was better this year because got a "bun making kit" so hardly had to use any bobby pins (which she hates).  She still likes the lipstick best. :)  She had a heart-to-heart with Angie about not doing dance again next year, she really wants to try some new things she says.  An American Ninja Warrior and gymnastics.  And she wants "a day off to be home and play with me like Kalum always gets to."  Hmmm, already living for her day off and she's in kindergarten?!
• Last day of kg May 27th- She wanted to have dinner and pick her treat since she's done with school.  We ended up going to Eagle house for the afternoon with her early out, so we got DQ and blizzards.
• Reflections on Kindergarten:
• What did you like most: computer lab
• Favorite thing you learned this year: the rules
• Best field trip: Vala's Pumpkin Patch
• What you'll miss most: my student teacher, Miss Winnicki
• Most excited for in 1st grade: to meet my new teacher
• Most looking forward to this summer: having fun
• What do you want to be when you grow up?: a Mom and...I just don't know quite yet

Kalum's Moments for the Month:

• Early in the month I noticed freckles on his nose for the first time!  So, maybe he has Daddy's complexion, like I had already suspected.  I think they're cute, but I know Jeff didn't like his freckles when we was younger.  Samara is quite envious, she wants freckles for some reason.
• Usually the first thing I hear about when he gets in the car from preschool is what they had for snack or if someone brought treats for their birthday.  Chocolate pudding is high on his list!  Early May-this week they got to pet a bunny that a teacher brought in and their butterflies came out of their chrysalises.  They've learned about their senses and at bath time tonight he told me all five-what body part goes to which sense.  He can remember very well, sometimes he even calls Samara on details about things. Lol!
• His last field trip of the year was to Gifford Farms - we carpooled with another mom and he enjoyed seeing the animals there-ponies, chickens, roosters and a calf.
• He may have a good memory, but the listening ears just aren't always on... Five seconds after I warned against running in flip-flops on the sidewalk, he fell hard and scraped his knee.  The way he cried on the way home and for 30 minutes after we got home, you'd have thought there was bone exposed!  Wesson sat down on the floor by him sympathetically saying "knee knee" pointing to his own knees which had gotten scraped on a fall a few days before.
• May 31st - Jeff put the pedals back on his new bike (had removed for a few days so that he could get used to balancing the larger bike and using brakes).  A few tries with help and he was off!  He was excitedly saying, "I can't believe I'm riding like this!" as he cruised down the street, sticking out his tongue in concentration mode.
• Reflections on Blue Class Preschool:
• What did you like most: picking out of the treasure box 2-3 times
• Favorite thing you learned this year: I haven't learned anything so far
• Best field trip: Farm
• What you'll miss most: the tractor toys and probably my teachers too
• Most excited for in 1st grade: new toys there and lunch bunch
• Most looking forward to this summer: going to a hotel
• What do you want to be when you grow up?: a Husker [football player]

Wesson's Milestones and Moments for the Month:

• 19 months old - came into kitchen, covered his eyes, then uncovered and said peekaboo. so cute!  That was the first time he did that without me initiating the game.  Starting to catch on to "head, shoulders, knees and toes".  Likes the song "slipper fish" and abc's.  (Listens and smiles whole time, but only says "me" at the very end.
• He takes a while to get him into bed and asleep now - ugh!  I have resorted to sitting my the bedroom door.  Otherwise it's a ridiculous amount of times he'll keep getting up.  Once he sees I'm there, he jumps back in bed smiling - it's a total game.
• By mid month he's starting to repeat more words.  He can repeat well now for most any word (if he's in the mood to humor you).  He understands what is happening and responds with correct motion, word or object.  He loves Curious Buddies videos now, sits in chair in living room, says, " duddy do do do" and points to tv.  It doesn't always work for him, but if I'm needing to get something done, that 30 minutes can be SO helpful!
• End of month he was building with duplos and every time he got a tower of a certain height, he would go over to each of us to show it off.  He'd get really in your face, "Sissy...tower", "Kal...tower"..."Mommy...tower".  He waited for an amazed response then go onto the next person.  It was so funny and he stopped before I could catch it on camera of course.
• He insisted he ride (walk while straddling) his strider bike tot he Arbor Gate park today since the big kids were riding their bikes.  Sigh.  We made it there and back, just took some extra time (and patience on mine, S and K's part).  He LOVES to do all the things the older kids do at the park and basically can!

May Pictures

April 2017

Spring is here - more finishing work happening at Eagle house (painting floors, refinishing floors, installing vinyl plank flooring, etc etc) , wrap up meetings and events for MOPS and end of my parenting class at church, Saturday dance class for Samara, kids dentist check-ups, a zoo day on Easter Monday, a Pennell ladies night to Lincoln to view some art quilts, Jeff and Kalum went to Grand Island one Saturday for shooting range and Derby family Easter fun, just to name a few things.  One Sunday the kids were sick, so we had a stay at home day - got blizzards in the afternoon, grilled for dinner and watch half of Star Wars.  (The kids now equate watching Star Wars with having blizzards!) Jeff also had a minor surgery to remove a splinter that embedded in his thumb in December.  He did NOT want to have it get to that point, but it was the way it went in the end, as it was under a nerve according to the doctor.  Easter was also this month and we had a quick dinner with Derbys on Saturday evening then to the 7PM Easter Service and then to Pennell's house for Sunday brunch.  So, hope you had a Happy Easter month - He Is Risen Indeed!  

Samara's Moments for the Month:

• Beginning of the month - focusing on making sure to fill her love tank.  Some quality time either on an activity or talking at bedtime once boys are tucked in.  Being purposeful in my comments, uplifting whenever possible, noticing the good choices.  The last two years have been a lot of changes for her...adding a sibling (that, though cute, takes away from time with just her), dad working more in evenings requiring mom to handle all three kids (cutting into her time and lowering quality), starting school where she's gone for over 7 hours each day(really no physical touch, constantly on her guard whether trying a new thing or having to deal with kg issues that might arise), mom working then not working-still feeling like I have things to get done and not taking advantage of time I do have with her each day.  Jeff and I are going to be more diligent with physical touch-hugs and cuddles, quality time and words of affirmation in coming weeks.  So far this week I've noticed her facial stuff only a couple times and we've had no meltdowns.  
• Then we have a morning tantrum over the pants she wanted to wear...not as bad as last time, but was headed that way.
• She still likes to share the details of her day usually.  She can give some exact details of conversations that were had and things that happened in the classroom.  I try to draw out feelings about different parts of the day, as she tends to have obvious emotions tied to most incidents that have happened.  Usually a playground squabble, drama or disagreement is part of the play by play.
• She got to go on the second kg field trip this year.  To the zoo (and it was like 45 degrees!!).  They could only have so many parent volunteers, but she had fun with the other two girls and the dad in their group.  I'm sure he had plenty of silliness by the end of the day!

Kalum's Moments for the Month:

• On a bike ride to the park, he was commenting on dandelions as we saw them (and Samara was helping people out by yanking the yellow tops off).  We go by one yard and Kalum yells, "this yard is dandelion heaven!!"  Thankfully the owners weren't outside and neither were any close neighbors...
• We had Kalum's parent/teacher conference for preschool at the end of April.  He does well in school.  He likes to share during circle time, doesn't interrupt but wants to have his turn to share.  Sometimes can be a little chatty with his friends there, Nathan and Seamus.  He likes doing the building station there the best.  When he colors, he takes time and does it well. Knows all shapes, colors, identified capital letters A-Z and numbers 1-10.  Counted to 29 on his own.  Needs to work on using only one hand for scissors.  Good "Kalums" drawn for his self portraits, getting more detailed and proportionate each quarter.  He told them he was going to be a Husker when he grows up.
• Kalum was so pumped when I said we'd go look at a bike I saw on craigslist one night.  It'll take some getting used to - has pedals and brakes, whereas his balance bike had neither, just used his feet on the ground.  But, he'll be off to the races soon I'm sure.  He didn't want to go to bed tonight, wanted to keep practicing!
• Dentist appointment this month he did great, just a little impatient during mom's turn, but REALLY wanted his new toothbrush and coin for the treasure chest machine in lobby.  Wesson just sat on my lap during my turn, can we say appointment during nap time?

Wesson's Milestones for the Month:

• Beginning of the month he is trying to imitate words and sounds that he hears - "all done" is a specific tone and sound each time, identify maybe 10 body parts, follows verbal commands, likes to walk free and not be held (unless, of course, I'm making dinner)
• After he nearly got hurt climbing out of his crib, we took the side of the convertible crib/toddler bed.  Now some nap times it takes quite a few tries to get him down to stay.  Nighttime has gone better since Kalum is in his own bed in the room too.  One night when I went upstairs for bed I found both boys had rolled out of their beds and were sleeping away on the floor!  Silly boys - and Kalum asks why they can't get bunk beds yet?!
• Wesson got my glasses off my dresser and bent one side right off!  I was so frustrated with him.  I went back to my old glasses until I can find out about getting them repaired.
• 18 month check-up: 25.5 lbs (66%), 33.5" tall (88%), 19" head circumference
• Wesson got a cold this month and then discharge from his eyes.  He had a low fever and I called into Dr office to see what to do.  They called in drops and his eyes were better within a couple days.  A few rough days and not very restful nights for him or Mommy.
• And Wesson gets the balance bike!  Yes, he's a little young, but since Kalum was getting an upgrade, it's his now.  We lowered the seat and handlebars to lowest setting and he walked up and down the sidewalk with his while the big kids rode.  He was all smiles the whole time.
• By end of the month he was saying peek-a-boo, apple (for the actual food item and when I try to use my iphone to take a picture of him! haha)

April Pictures