Triathlon 2017 & Start of Summer

Mimi & Paka came into town on the last day of school because Scott & Kevin were doing the St. Louis Triathlon again. The day before, we threw a neighborhood party at our house in conjunction with Taste of Maplewood, which is a festival in downtown Maplewood...in front of our house more or less. We all had a great time and I took no pictures. The story of my life! 

Scott & Kevin both did well in the triathlon! It's somewhat of a nerve wracking experience, especially waiting for them to come in from the swim. But they survived and I'm sure are already planning next year's race! 

I missed Scott getting out of the swim because we had just arrived, so here he is on the bike and run. 

Paka finishing strong on the run!

Mimi & Paka returned home the day after the race and we started to settle into summer. I caught Lila reading a book on my bed in her pretend glasses. Ha!

We went to Tower Grove Park one day and climbed all over the ruins.

And some of us tried to avoid getting their picture taken.

They have neat and different equipment at the park and our resident monkey really enjoyed herself.

See the theme? Dodging pictures.

My SIXTH grader and me!

The splash park was operational that day but no one was in it because it was only like 65 degrees. Of course that didn't stop Lila and she had a ball!

She is a picture of seizing the moment. It's her motto in life. I'm learning to keep up!

Catching Up - Last Days of School

Well. Ahem. It's been a while. Bear with me while I try to catch up! 

The kids ended their school year with a bang - field trips, activities, award ceremonies. Nate and I went to the symphony so that their class (and the whole 5th grade) could play their recorders during the show. I was quite impressed with the event and was so proud of Nate, as he took it very seriously. He had so much fun doing this!

Lila had her Kindergarten Music performance. She was placed right in the center of the stage and insisted on wearing this sequined dress. So needless to say, we all could see her very well!

Lila's class did a Celebration of Learning the week of the last day of school. They made tea cups a few weeks before out of clay (then a parent put them in a kiln) and we used them for a tea ceremony. She had such a wonderful year and we are all sad to leave her amazing teacher. But Lila grew and learned so much and is excited to move on to 1st grade!

Nate made the Honor Roll (woohoo!) and received his awards the day before the last day of school. We are so proud of him and his diligence of trying his best and working hard throughout the year. Can you believe we have a 6th grader?!?! Sigh. Where does the time go?? He is excited because it will be his last year at the elementary school! Again, sigh.

Last day as a 5th grader! With Truman peeking around:)

 Last day of Kindergarten! The face was the best I could do, ha!

It was such a wonderful year for both them, and I pray that next year will be just as good!

Life Lately

Mimi & Paka sent Lila an American Girl gift card for Easter so we were off to the store the next Saturday! (fun fact: Lila didn't know until a few weeks ago that we had an AG store in St. Louis. Well played by Mom:)) Lila wanted to get Lea's ears pierced and she loved every minute of being in the store. It was a great way to spend a Saturday morning! (Nate received a Barnes and Noble gift card and he got a new Rick Riordan book but I'm thinking he won't pose for a picture with it, ha!)

Sweet girl is currently on day 16 of a 20 day course of a high powered antibiotic.  Bless her heart, it has not made her feel very well and we will be very happy when it is over! We hope this drastic measure kills the strep once and for all!

One Sunday afternoon, Lila found the old keyboard we had in the garage (we've had since Nate was 3 I think). She decided she should put on her Smurfette costume and put on a concert with Nate. They are both quite talented I must say:)

Lila talked Scott into getting in on the mix...

He showed them he is a very talented singer. Ha!

Scott has been very busy building Lila a bed the past couple months. He put it up in her room last week (as well as re-painted the walls). We all love it so much! We will eventually put a desk underneath it, but for now she is happy for it to be a baby nursery.

Last week was the final week for the goats at Lila's school (they were there all of April, they have a new animal about every month). Since we had some extra time before school, we got out and visited them.

Every Thursday that the Cardinals are in town, it's free Chick-fil-a if you wear a Cardinals shirt. Cardinals? Free Chick-fil-a? We are totally in!

A little dab for you. I know it is so exhausted now, but I crack up every time they do it.

This past weekend, it rained so much. Prayers for all the people who had homes or businesses affected by the flooding, that is still going on in our area. One day to pass the time, we went to the History Museum. The kids love their children's area and since we went on Friday (they were out of school), we were the only ones there.

More rainy day activities...Lila and I finally opened the sewing kit my Mom made for her. It was SO neat! Nana put a lot of time and thought into making it for her and it even includes some of Grandma Arlene's tools, which is super special (she was a very talented seamstress).

 Rain Rain Go Away! We are starting to get into summer mode, so we want sunshine all the time!

Fields Trip & Fresh Prince

This is the season of field trips! Lila's class went to the Botanical Gardens one afternoon last week and I was able to join them. I laughed at this picture because Lila went to sit down with all the boys on this bench. She can certainly be a tomboy when she wants to be!

Lila and her sweet teacher, Miss R. She loves her. Due to a change in the looping schedule this year, she will not have her again next year. Instead she will have the same teacher for 1st & 2nd grades. We will all be sad to say goodbye to Miss R.!

Sweet flower of mine...

The Kindergarten hooligans...

This past Monday, I was able to go with Nate's class to Jefferson Barracks. This is the only picture I took because, I don't know, 11 year old boys aren't too keen on getting their picture taken by their mother in front of their friends. Ahem.

Jefferson Barracks is still in use today, but also has a Civil War Museum (and some period buildings) as well as a National Cemetery. It is really something to see. It is a solemn place, but fascinating at the same time. I had no idea it was so large, with representation from the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, WW1, WW2, as well as wars and conflict of my time. I think discussing these time periods as well as respect for those that have died is so important for kids to hear.

I was gone with Nate's class all day, but I drove my own car because Lila woke up that morning saying that her throat hurt. Really? really. Not this again! But lo and behold, when we got home and I got her off the bus, I knew she had strep again. So off to the doctor we went. And of course she did have it again. Sadly it is time to discuss alternative methods for treating. Sadly.

But...to make a long day longer, I had already promised her that we would go to the book fair. And considering she was so sad to get her throat swabbed again, I was not going to disappoint her. So after we waited in the doctor's office, then went to 2 pharmacies to get her medicine (the first one didn't have it, you can only imagine my annoyance), we went to the book fair. Talk about swallowing up the time I had to make dinner! This is my text with Nate, which made me laugh out loud. I thought I had heard him murmuring the lyrics to Fresh Prince of Bel-Air earlier...

Oh my word, he's a mess. It was just what I needed though. Sometimes you just have to laugh at life to keep from crying!

Easter 2017

I happen to like it best when Easter falls in April. When it is in March, it just seems too early! It was a beautiful weekend, although Saturday was prettier weather than Sunday. The kids were out of school on Friday, so they went with me to get the car washed and to get the ham for our Easter dinner. Who knew they both loved the car wash so much! I guess they have not been with me in a while and it was some cheap fun for sure. 

We came home to dye our Easter eggs, and their personalities were on full display. Lila was done in about 10 minutes, and it literally took Nate over an hour to dye 12 eggs. Perfectionist, he is.

Saturday morning was so nice!! Lila & I had breakfast and drank tea on the front porch.

Then we went to the local park's Easter Egg hunt. We had some extra time before it started so we walked over to get some lemonade.

It was so crazy at the hunt, I'm thinking next year that I will just hide candy around the house. Yes, I think that's what I will do.

That afternoon, Lila & I went to get pedicures for Easter! She is so funny when the ladies try to talk to her, she just smiles sweetly until I interpret. Ha!

My sweet Easter blessings:) I managed to throw away their Easter baskets in the move. And didn't figure it out until Saturday.  Mother of the year right here. At least I had already purchased these reusable Easter bags. Maybe I subconsciously knew...

Hunting eggs at church, I love this picture of her looking up in the tree for eggs.

Be still my heart. When did this happen?!?

I had to be quick because Nate was ready to acolyte. We had a great morning at church, although everyone seemed a little hopped up on candy. Ha!

We came home to veg out and get ready for the week. I decided to have our Easter dinner on Saturday night this year to avoid the Sunday night crankiness (since we wait for Scott to get home). It was a winner and I would do it again!

Sam A. Baker 2017

We had a great time at Sam A. Baker 2017! The weather was gorgeous and the sunset almost took my breath away the night we arrived. 

My kids love a camp fire. And the fires did not disappoint.

Reid and Lila got paddles this year! I thought I took a picture of Reid and Lila, but in fact it was Reid and Thane. Fail. Although my Dad also made Thane and Nate these pokers (for lack of a better word) that are made out of wood and a cow horn. They absolutely loved them.

Canoeing day was fantastic and the weather held up nicely. I did canoe with my Dad (and my Mom when Lila kicked me out of my spot), but did not paddle or move very much. So basically useless. But I didn't want to miss out. And thankfully I did not have to explain to my doctor why I was out canoeing with a cracked shoulder!

Such a fun weekend...Can't wait until next year!

Spring Happenings

I feel like the last few weeks have been a blur! It seems like this spring has been busier than most. Here is what we've been up to! 

Lila is in her second session of gymnastics and she absolutely loves it. She was moved up to the next level quickly and we are so proud of her! She's definitely an athlete (and she didn't get it from me!) and we can't wait to see where gymnastics takes her! 

We've had some simply gorgeous weather the past few weeks and have been trying to enjoy every minute of it.

 

The city of Maplewood installed a community piano at the green space next to our house...and of course the kids have to go over and play it every chance they get! 

Our local mall has a Community Art Corner and Lila's school was chosen to be the display during April. They took 80 pieces of art, 40 from first graders and 40 from kindergartners. Our little artist had 2 pieces on the wall! One photograph and one that she drew. She was very excited to show me her work at the opening reception. The green one above her head is actually a close up photograph of a plant.

And this one is a picture of the two of us. {insert heart melting} Can you tell that she was excited Chipotle donated chips and salsa for the reception?1?

Thank you to everyone that has reached out to inquire about my shoulder! Sigh. It's still cracked, but is on the mend. I can tell some improvement, but I'm not supposed to be moving it much and no lifting anything bigger than a coffee cup. Ahem. I will hopefully be able to begin physical therapy in a few weeks. It's always something!