It's been a busy first week around our house, as Grace started her 2nd Grade year on Monday. She met her teacher for the first time last Thursday. She was a little disappointed that she didn't get the teacher she wanted, but it was made up for by the fact that she has a lot of her good friends in her class, sits on the front row, and is right by all the chapter books.
Grace and Braden were getting used to being together, and now that they're apart, they had a rough day the other day getting used to each other again. We'd be out running errands and she would mention something to him, that she knew I wouldn't let him do, like ride the horse, or have gum, or share a toy etc. They would not stop arguing. Luckily it was a beautiful day outside and they spent a few hours playing in the backyard being nice to each other.
I also officially enrolled Grace in her first true Ballet class. She has done combo dance classes of tap/ballet/tumbling the last 3 years, but now that she's almost 8, she got to choose, and she wanted to be a ballerina. She is so thrilled to be big stuff.
They both went to the Dentist on Tuesday, and were so excited. I've never seen kids that love going to the Dentist more than they do. They were talking about which flavor of toothpaste they wanted-Braden got cherry, Grace got c.c. cookie dough. And then they each got a toy from the treasure chest. No cavities all the way around, so that was great news. Miss G is going to be in desperate need of braces in another year or two-but I'm holding out hope that she can wait until I'm working again and we don't have to go into debt over it.
Yesterday they got to spend the afternoon with their Great Grandma. Which has been at tradition the last 7 years. She will be starting radiation treatments next week to treat her breast cancer, so she won't be seeing the kids for about 6 weeks or so. They are always so happy to see her-they go on a walk when it's nice, and get a cookie and popcorn, and then play in the backyard.
Grace has had a great first week at school and has met new friends and is thrilled for school lunches-something I'm sure she won't love forever. She gets to play on the big kids playground for 2nd-6th graders, and thinks she's big stuff. She's still reading her chapter books, and will be continuing her accelerated reader program this year. With Seavie being home more in the mornings, he's helped me be a better mom, by getting me up by 7:15-7:30 each morning, so we can all eat breakfast together as a family, before she goes to school and he goes to work. I'm adjusting pretty well, and have been a nicer mom to be around. I don't feel as rushed, and she gets to school on time, actually early. (I say that now, but wait to talk to me on a day that I get stuck behind the train-that's a huge patience tester). It's been great for that extra family time. We all even rode together to drop Grace off for her first day of school. She's Miss Independent. No tears from this mom, she's a big girl now. But Mr.B starts pre-school in a few weeks, and I know that will be hard to let my little man go.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
County Fair and Rodeo..... and Dakota
This weekend we headed back down to P-town to head to the local county fair and rodeo. It's become another one of our family traditions and the kids just love it. We left Friday night, thinking we'd be going to the carnival that night, but it was too hot and so we just hung out at the house.
We also brought with us 2 doggies to my parents farm, Dakota (see previous post) and my sister in law's dog Kacie-a yellow lab. Dakota had actually been doing much better not getting on my nerves, but lately she and Oreo just hadn't been getting along. Kacie had been with her owners for the last 6 years, and was the 2nd of two dogs, that were just needing some space. So now my parents have 4 dogs total. Dakota was pretty freaked out the first night, she ran down the road about 1/4 mile, and Seavie had to go get her. When she calmed down and realized this was her new home she did much better. She gets to eat like royalty, and can roam wherever she pleases. We also discovered that she is a super fast runner. We left the house a few times over the weekend, and she took of barking after the car, and we clocked her at 20 mph. Each time she would stop at the next farm over and head back home. Kacie is a water dog, and found my parents pool and jumped right in the first night, and was content finding her new spot to sleep under the front porch.
So Saturday we hung out at the house, and my sister and her husband came down as well. We had lots of good conversation. Saturday morning we took the kids into town and went to the local Library to pick out some books. Then we stopped by my "dream home" (see previous post last summer) that actually tragically burned completely to the ground a few months ago. I was devistated. It was a beautiful 3000 sq.ft.+ Queen Anne Victorian, beautiful woodwork, stained glass, pressed tin ceiling- and was all destroyed from an electrical fire. Seavie, Mr. Practical said good thing we didn't buy that house, or we'd be out of a home. So after driving by where the beautiful home once stood, took the kids to the local park, which is in the town square, with gazebo and all. And while my mom and I were chatting on the gazebo, Grace decides to try out the monkey bars (which were about 7' in the air) all by herself, and she's never successfully made it across. She slipped and wiped out on the gravel/rock base that was below the playground. Who thought that was such a great and safe idea for a kids playground anyways? So it knocked the wind out of her, and she got some major gravel burn. We ended up taking her to the Dr. there to make sure she was okay, nothing broken, but still a little sore.
Saturday night we headed to the Fair. We had the most yummy dinner made by the local church ladies- Chicken and Noodles on Mashed Potatoes, baked beans, green beans and homemade apple pie. It was delicious! After that the kids were ready to go on the rides, and their nice grandparents got them arm bands, so they could go on unlimited rides. And go on unlimited rides they did. They both went on a mini-rollercoaster and loved it; carousel; carpet slide; fun house, this list goes on and on. Sweet Braden told me that he wished these rides could be in our backyard to play on whenever we wanted, and I told him I agreed that would be a lot of fun. The rodeo was fun to watch-cowboys wrangling cows and barrel racing. Even got to see a dancing horse. The kids did even more rides after the rodeo, and were out like a light as soon as they got in the car, they were so exhausted.
Sunday morning we went to church with my parents again, and got to have fun with small town worship. They had the youth band singing/playing, and they were in desperate need of some help to stay on pitch and couldn't sing harmony. My dad was less than thrilled, starting joking about it, which made me laugh. I really miss CRCC worship! I ran into a college friend that lives down in P-town and got a chance to catch up with her, so that was fun as well. We stayed for lunch and then headed back home, after another long weekend with the family.
We also brought with us 2 doggies to my parents farm, Dakota (see previous post) and my sister in law's dog Kacie-a yellow lab. Dakota had actually been doing much better not getting on my nerves, but lately she and Oreo just hadn't been getting along. Kacie had been with her owners for the last 6 years, and was the 2nd of two dogs, that were just needing some space. So now my parents have 4 dogs total. Dakota was pretty freaked out the first night, she ran down the road about 1/4 mile, and Seavie had to go get her. When she calmed down and realized this was her new home she did much better. She gets to eat like royalty, and can roam wherever she pleases. We also discovered that she is a super fast runner. We left the house a few times over the weekend, and she took of barking after the car, and we clocked her at 20 mph. Each time she would stop at the next farm over and head back home. Kacie is a water dog, and found my parents pool and jumped right in the first night, and was content finding her new spot to sleep under the front porch.
So Saturday we hung out at the house, and my sister and her husband came down as well. We had lots of good conversation. Saturday morning we took the kids into town and went to the local Library to pick out some books. Then we stopped by my "dream home" (see previous post last summer) that actually tragically burned completely to the ground a few months ago. I was devistated. It was a beautiful 3000 sq.ft.+ Queen Anne Victorian, beautiful woodwork, stained glass, pressed tin ceiling- and was all destroyed from an electrical fire. Seavie, Mr. Practical said good thing we didn't buy that house, or we'd be out of a home. So after driving by where the beautiful home once stood, took the kids to the local park, which is in the town square, with gazebo and all. And while my mom and I were chatting on the gazebo, Grace decides to try out the monkey bars (which were about 7' in the air) all by herself, and she's never successfully made it across. She slipped and wiped out on the gravel/rock base that was below the playground. Who thought that was such a great and safe idea for a kids playground anyways? So it knocked the wind out of her, and she got some major gravel burn. We ended up taking her to the Dr. there to make sure she was okay, nothing broken, but still a little sore.
Saturday night we headed to the Fair. We had the most yummy dinner made by the local church ladies- Chicken and Noodles on Mashed Potatoes, baked beans, green beans and homemade apple pie. It was delicious! After that the kids were ready to go on the rides, and their nice grandparents got them arm bands, so they could go on unlimited rides. And go on unlimited rides they did. They both went on a mini-rollercoaster and loved it; carousel; carpet slide; fun house, this list goes on and on. Sweet Braden told me that he wished these rides could be in our backyard to play on whenever we wanted, and I told him I agreed that would be a lot of fun. The rodeo was fun to watch-cowboys wrangling cows and barrel racing. Even got to see a dancing horse. The kids did even more rides after the rodeo, and were out like a light as soon as they got in the car, they were so exhausted.
Sunday morning we went to church with my parents again, and got to have fun with small town worship. They had the youth band singing/playing, and they were in desperate need of some help to stay on pitch and couldn't sing harmony. My dad was less than thrilled, starting joking about it, which made me laugh. I really miss CRCC worship! I ran into a college friend that lives down in P-town and got a chance to catch up with her, so that was fun as well. We stayed for lunch and then headed back home, after another long weekend with the family.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Five Love Languages
We just finished up reading this book for our small group at church, and it was a lot of fun. I was amazed that when Seavie and I took the quiz we actually got 20/30 same answers. So our love languages are pretty similar, but I think it also helps that we've known each other almost 12 yrs. I don't know what we'd do if we weren't so compatible. We met a lot of other nice couples in our class that we didn't know previously, and it was a little entertaining to hear all their fun stories.
Through this study, it's also been interesting observing others relationships, mainly our parents. Spending a week with the in-laws and then 2 weekends in a row with the parents, can definitely be a test of patience for both of us. We love our parents dearly, but are also so glad for some space.
This year more than any other, I've come to notice those little quirks and temperments of our parents. Things I like, or can't stand. Take my parents-my mom is generally quiet, and rarely one to raise her voice. My dad gets upset when the house isn't clean, or lunch or dinner isn't ready on time. Growing up I butted heads with my dad-I'm very stubborn and strong willed, and wasn't about to be told what to do, when I disagreed. Basically I didn't back down about the things that I felt so strongly about. I'm still like that today :) So my dad's upset that dinner isn't ready and my mom starts getting all nervous. I tell my mom, "why don't you tell him to make it himself- you're not the only one who knows how to cook in the house," and I also made a point to tell her that if Seavie ever dared to talk to me like dad does to her, that he knows that I would probably smack him. My mom gave me the funniest look-like would I really treat my husband that way. My mom isn't a doormat, but I've never heard her make her opinion known. So I'm sharing this with my new small group, as well as how I can't stand controlling men(which my dad isn't-he just has a temper) and with clients who have boyfriends that way, and the leader said, "do you think that has something to do with how you were raised and your relationship with your dad?" and it totally made sense. My dad was never abusive-just a bad temper and lots of yelling-a little intense at times. I love my dad. I told my mom I can't wait to see them both together 24/7 after they retire, and see how much more loving they'll be too each other. Bold comments from me that day, I'd never said anything like that to her before. But it's the truth.
On the in-law side, I'm not a fan of critical attitudes. Or critical people in general. Having a critical spirit can totally steal your joy. Not that they are critical all the time, whether they mean to or not, it just happens. I'm not as patient with this criticalness as I used to be. I used to brush it off, but now it's a little irritating. I'm not a child at almost 30, so I don't need all these issues picked apart anymore. If they have something critical to say, it would be better to keep it to themselves.
Through this study, it's also been interesting observing others relationships, mainly our parents. Spending a week with the in-laws and then 2 weekends in a row with the parents, can definitely be a test of patience for both of us. We love our parents dearly, but are also so glad for some space.
This year more than any other, I've come to notice those little quirks and temperments of our parents. Things I like, or can't stand. Take my parents-my mom is generally quiet, and rarely one to raise her voice. My dad gets upset when the house isn't clean, or lunch or dinner isn't ready on time. Growing up I butted heads with my dad-I'm very stubborn and strong willed, and wasn't about to be told what to do, when I disagreed. Basically I didn't back down about the things that I felt so strongly about. I'm still like that today :) So my dad's upset that dinner isn't ready and my mom starts getting all nervous. I tell my mom, "why don't you tell him to make it himself- you're not the only one who knows how to cook in the house," and I also made a point to tell her that if Seavie ever dared to talk to me like dad does to her, that he knows that I would probably smack him. My mom gave me the funniest look-like would I really treat my husband that way. My mom isn't a doormat, but I've never heard her make her opinion known. So I'm sharing this with my new small group, as well as how I can't stand controlling men(which my dad isn't-he just has a temper) and with clients who have boyfriends that way, and the leader said, "do you think that has something to do with how you were raised and your relationship with your dad?" and it totally made sense. My dad was never abusive-just a bad temper and lots of yelling-a little intense at times. I love my dad. I told my mom I can't wait to see them both together 24/7 after they retire, and see how much more loving they'll be too each other. Bold comments from me that day, I'd never said anything like that to her before. But it's the truth.
On the in-law side, I'm not a fan of critical attitudes. Or critical people in general. Having a critical spirit can totally steal your joy. Not that they are critical all the time, whether they mean to or not, it just happens. I'm not as patient with this criticalness as I used to be. I used to brush it off, but now it's a little irritating. I'm not a child at almost 30, so I don't need all these issues picked apart anymore. If they have something critical to say, it would be better to keep it to themselves.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Table Rock Lake Vacation
Our family recently returned from our annual family vacation at Table Rock Lake. We were there the first week of August, with our family, Seavie's parents, and his sister, her hubby and their 2 kiddos. This is our 6th year going on this family vacation together, and this year seemed to be a little different than the rest. Our families all love the water, and before kids we would be on the water all day, which was fun at the time, but not once you start adding kiddos. So this year we worked out a pretty good balance, that we'd be on the boat in the mornings, and then the kids would have nap time in the afternoon, and then go swimming or boating after naps.
We arrived Sunday late afternoon, after eating a yummy lunch at Braum's, and then relaxed for the evening. Monday we were out on the boat a lot, and by Tuesday morning, Seavie and I were in need of a break from the rest of the family, so we took off to downtown Branson to do some antiquing/flea market shopping. This is something that we love to do together, and we each have our things that we look out for. I'm not a fan of anything touristy, or the cheesy boutiques, so we steer clear of anything related to that. We had lunch at the always amazing, Farmhouse Restaurant, which I highly recommend if you're ever down there. They have great homestyle cooking. We both had pot roast with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, a biscuit, green beans, and my favorite of all-fried okra! And for dessert the most amazing blackberry cobbler. We even saw a t-shirt there that said vacation calories don't count, so that's good to know :) On the way back through town we stopped at Cooter's because they have the General Lee replica out front. For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, it's from the Duke's of Hazzard. Of course Seavie got some good pics with it. Then once inside they had a mini museum of sorts, so at my suggestion, because I knew he couldn't resist-took his pic with the Daisy Duke cardboard cut out, and then I had my pic with Bo and Luke-too cute. Of course all the pics of our vacation our on our cell phones, so we'll have to get them off eventually. I really wanted to go ride go carts, but it was over 100 degrees, so that was out of the question. That night we went back down to Branson Landing with the whole family to meet some of his parents friends who live down there for dinner. Then after dinner watched the fountain show and got some yummy ice cream. So Tuesday turned out to be a great day. Wednesday we went boating in the morning and found a quiet cove for all the kids to swim and play in for the afternoon- where they saw a turtle and a lot of large fish swimming all the way around the boat. Thursday was a rainy day which was fine with me, just taking it easy and relaxing.
By Friday morning Seavie and I were ready to go home. The kids had a full week of jet skis and tubing and they both even tried knee boarding. Then when we weren't in the lake, we were hanging out in the swimming pool, which they had a blast at. By the middle of the week both kids were running and jumping off the dock and loving every minute of it. So we packed up Friday morning, and stopped in Springfield and had lunch at Braum's of course! Then we headed back through Pittsburg, so we could stop by PSU to show the kids where daddy went to college. They got to run around the football field, and take pictures on giant concrete Gus Gorilla. Seavie showed Grace the library, and she thought that was so cool. We had to make one last stop at Braum's for ice cream on the way back home. We stopped through Ft.Scott so Grace could see one of her besties Aunika, who moved there last summer. So they got to chat for about 30 minutes, and were both so thrilled to see each other again. By late Friday afternoon we were in P-town where my parents live, and spent the weekend at the farm. Got to go to the Demolition Derby Saturday night, which I just absolutely love :) I found out that they had a raffle to actually drive a car, so next year I'm definitely buying some tickets-yee haw. Seavie and my dad always love people watching because it's quite interesting. Gotta love small towns though. We went to church with my parents Sunday morning, and then headed back home after lunch. We were all ready to get back home to our own house and some much needed peace and quiet after a week with all of our families.
We arrived Sunday late afternoon, after eating a yummy lunch at Braum's, and then relaxed for the evening. Monday we were out on the boat a lot, and by Tuesday morning, Seavie and I were in need of a break from the rest of the family, so we took off to downtown Branson to do some antiquing/flea market shopping. This is something that we love to do together, and we each have our things that we look out for. I'm not a fan of anything touristy, or the cheesy boutiques, so we steer clear of anything related to that. We had lunch at the always amazing, Farmhouse Restaurant, which I highly recommend if you're ever down there. They have great homestyle cooking. We both had pot roast with mashed potatoes, brown gravy, a biscuit, green beans, and my favorite of all-fried okra! And for dessert the most amazing blackberry cobbler. We even saw a t-shirt there that said vacation calories don't count, so that's good to know :) On the way back through town we stopped at Cooter's because they have the General Lee replica out front. For those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, it's from the Duke's of Hazzard. Of course Seavie got some good pics with it. Then once inside they had a mini museum of sorts, so at my suggestion, because I knew he couldn't resist-took his pic with the Daisy Duke cardboard cut out, and then I had my pic with Bo and Luke-too cute. Of course all the pics of our vacation our on our cell phones, so we'll have to get them off eventually. I really wanted to go ride go carts, but it was over 100 degrees, so that was out of the question. That night we went back down to Branson Landing with the whole family to meet some of his parents friends who live down there for dinner. Then after dinner watched the fountain show and got some yummy ice cream. So Tuesday turned out to be a great day. Wednesday we went boating in the morning and found a quiet cove for all the kids to swim and play in for the afternoon- where they saw a turtle and a lot of large fish swimming all the way around the boat. Thursday was a rainy day which was fine with me, just taking it easy and relaxing.
By Friday morning Seavie and I were ready to go home. The kids had a full week of jet skis and tubing and they both even tried knee boarding. Then when we weren't in the lake, we were hanging out in the swimming pool, which they had a blast at. By the middle of the week both kids were running and jumping off the dock and loving every minute of it. So we packed up Friday morning, and stopped in Springfield and had lunch at Braum's of course! Then we headed back through Pittsburg, so we could stop by PSU to show the kids where daddy went to college. They got to run around the football field, and take pictures on giant concrete Gus Gorilla. Seavie showed Grace the library, and she thought that was so cool. We had to make one last stop at Braum's for ice cream on the way back home. We stopped through Ft.Scott so Grace could see one of her besties Aunika, who moved there last summer. So they got to chat for about 30 minutes, and were both so thrilled to see each other again. By late Friday afternoon we were in P-town where my parents live, and spent the weekend at the farm. Got to go to the Demolition Derby Saturday night, which I just absolutely love :) I found out that they had a raffle to actually drive a car, so next year I'm definitely buying some tickets-yee haw. Seavie and my dad always love people watching because it's quite interesting. Gotta love small towns though. We went to church with my parents Sunday morning, and then headed back home after lunch. We were all ready to get back home to our own house and some much needed peace and quiet after a week with all of our families.
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