Our weekend (4/26-28)

Adam took Friday off because he had a doctor appointment, and we were heading to Albia later in the morning. After his appointment, we all hopped in the truck and went to McDonald's for breakfast. After invading all the old people, we headed to the carwash...to wash the dog. Our carwash recently transformed one of the bays into a doggy spa where you can wash your pets. Genius idea that person had. Easton smelled and looked way better after Adam and Fletcher bathed her. I even petted her because she looked so nice.

When the boys were finished, we went home to pack and then to hit the road. Once we got to Albia, I asked his step-mom about the Amish market that was just outside of town. The girls loaded up and made the short drive while the boys were in the back garage working on the vehicle of the day. I've been to an Amish market before, but when there is money in my pocket (and a whiny two year old in the cart), a lot of stuff gets tossed in. I'm so excited about some of the mixes I got, and candy and spices. Uh, I could have bought way more than I did. I will be going back next time I'm in Albia.

Since the power tour is approaching, Doyle is getting his GTO ready for the trip. The kids and I joined Adam and Doyle for a test drive. Brynlee said 'super fast' when we pulled out of the driveway. Fletcher was having too much fun during the day to enjoy the ride, as he fell asleep on my shoulder. When we got back from our little drive, Adam got cleaned up and he and I headed uptown to the Albia Brewing Company for dinner and some drinks. It was nice to be able to go on a date without the kids.

Saturday morning, we were outside early. Fletcher went with the boys to Benton Place to fix a few issues, while Brynlee and I went for a walk around the block. The block only measured about a mile and a half, and my knee handled it well. When the boys got back, we attempted to fly a kite, but it just wasn't very windy to keep it in the air long. Lunch and naps soon followed because we had a birthday party for a great grandma to attend later.

Grandma Glo's party was held in the building across from the Methodist church, which allowed for plenty of room for the kids to run and play. It was potluck style, so after we all got there and had things set up, we went through the line and got our food. Everyone ate, chatted and enjoyed the time together. We got the cake ready for GG and she blew out the candles, she had a helper when it came to tasting the frosting. A few pictures with the grands and greats and then it was time to clean-up, dismantle and leave. 

                     

Sunday brought more nice weather and some time outside before it was time to head for home. The kids and I walked over to my grandparents house for a little visit. My Uncle Joe and his wife were visiting too, so it was nice that we got to see them. It was a nice, long weekend catching up and hanging outside. If only the weather would cooperate and act like spring.  

Wordless Wednesday-feeding the birds

the last five months-august

august was packed full of fun. we had to make sure we did all the last 'summer-ish' things before school started for flether and our days weren't so open. 

one day in early august, adam's dad was up doing some things to the house (we were still moving at this point) and he heard some music in the distance. when he caught sight of what it was, he came inside to see if the kids could have ice cream. this is a very rare occasion so all three of us joined him outside to get a treat. 

in the middle of the month, my parents had my niece and nephew (brother's kids) for a few weeks. they decided to make a trip to the omaha zoo and the kids and i were asked if we wanted to tag along. since adam was out of town (big surprise), we did. we were only gone for one 30 hours, but we were on the go. we headed to the air and space museum to check out all the old planes...four kids and two adult females were bored out of our minds, but my dad sure enjoyed it. 

when we left the museum, we drove next door to mahoney state park where we were staying at the lodge, checked in and then thought we would go to the water park for a bit. this was a major hit. 

checking out the map of the grounds. there is so much to do that they want to come back. 

the following morning, we got the crew ready for a day at the zoo. 

the iowa state fair starts the second thursday and goes for the next 10 days. it's kind of tradition for us to go and do certain things every year. the kids are getting older and having more fun seeing the animals and doing  some of the activities 

camping at camp pops and nana's

my grandpa's 89th birthday. we had a family party for him and all of his kids, grandkids and greats were in attendance. 

grandma and grandpa with the greats. seven kids, nine and under...oh, the joys. 

the last five months-june

i was looking forward to june. the sun. the trips to the pool and zoo. staying up late. grilling and having summertime beverages. weekend adventures. our summer started out great, but by the end of the month, our summer took a major turn from fun to stressful.

the beginning of the month, i wanted to get the kids pictures taken. and because i'm am 'tight' with my money (in certain areas), i decided to play photographer mommy. with the help of my helpful assistant (my mom), we headed to the neighbors backyard to try and get a few decent pictures. fletcher was a ham. brynlee, not so much. i did end up getting a headache, and few that were frame-able. 

back in april for fletcher's birthday, he received a fishing pole from his pops and nana. ever since, he has really been into fishing. adam took him a few times. they also went to uncle dave's pond and did some fishing. fletcher is very impatient (inherited trait), and not quiet, so there was little catching going on.

on june 23rd, adam played in the alumni football game again. this year, he was joined by his step-brother nate, his friend iffy, and the oldest player on the team, his dad. this years game was not enjoyable at all. after the first three minutes of play, it started pouring. so hard. there was no rain in the forecast, and for the games entirety, it rained. stopping right as the clock ticked to 00:00. i have a lot of pictures of the game, but it didn't really get to watch any of it. albia lost again this year, but it was closer during the whole game. he's already signed up to play next year.

 {fletcher and cousin kate}

after the game weekend, we stayed in albia until monday morning and then left from there for our family getaway to kansas city. we were headed to great wolf lodge for a few days to relax. we did a lot of swimming, arcade game playing and cub club crafting. one afternoon, we escaped to crown center and explored a bit. we went to fritz's, a dinosaur exhibit and the crayola store. 

     

                  

              

and this happened. this was a big decision for us to make. at the time, it was the right thing to do but as time went on, we realized that by moving away from everything we have and the things that were currently happening with our family, that we would stay put and deal with the consequences. at this point, things are going well with the final decision to stay. there may be more to share about this in the next few weeks. 

pre-school

two weeks before fletcher started school, we began talking to him about it and getting him used to the idea of him going. he'd be making new friends and doing projects...and, that i would leave him there while he learned new stuff and played with his friends. most of the time he handled it rather well. on occasion, he told adam and i that he didn't want to go, or that he wanted us to stay because he'd be scared.

i was loving the idea of a few hours with only one kid. i was making lists of chores i'd get done, projects to do with brynlee, thirty-one work that would get accomplished. and let me tell you, the tears of that first day, NOTHING got accomplished.

i woke up with the alarm clock that morning...never happens...and fletcher was already awake. he wanted to get dressed right away and put his new 'tool' shoes on. after trying to redirect him a few times to eat breakfast first, i finally agreed. after getting dressed, breakfast eaten and cleaned up, teeth brushed, i was sitting there with time to kill and thinking that 'this is really hard on me'. i had walked away from little boy's excitement a few times because i had to hide my tears. i didn't want him to see me crying. what if his mood changed because of me? i put my big jackie o's on a good 5 minutes before walking out the door.

my father-in-law was here doing some home repairs, so he kindly watched brynlee for me while i took fletcher to school. by this point, i knew it would be hard dealing with her, my emotions and the possible release of a little boy. i was fine all the way to school, until i turned into the parking lot. i lost it. he knew. but i played it off. we got out of the car, and walked up the sidewalk to his classroom door. the teachers were waiting inside to help with the first day attachment issues. i knew i had to let him do things by himself, so he walked in, found his hook and hung up his backpack, all while i took a few pictures and snuck out of the room with tears rolling down my face. i did it, kinda. and so did my little BIG boy, with a smile on his face.

i only cried a few more times in that two and a half hours he was gone. i set the alarm on my phone so i wouldn't be late picking him up, but there was no way i would have been because the only thing i did was look at the clock. i talked to my sister, adam and my FIL, and each time, there were a few tears that snuck out of the corner of my eyes.

i took pictures of his first day of school. some ridiculous ones, but precious to this momma. i won't get that day back. there are a few things that i would have done differently if i knew i was going to be such a sap, but in the end, i'm happy how that morning went. i am happy to report that there have been zero tears from me or little boy since that morning of the first day of school. he's singing songs and making projects and today, he wants 'to go on a bear hunt.'

it's september...

***this was suppose to publish at 11am.

it's officially september and officially time to start blogging again. i've been sitting in front of the computer for the last 2 hours getting things accomplished, because you see, i took my little boy to preschool this morning and i have a few hours of sanity since there is only one child to tend to. i cried. he didn't. it was bittersweet. baby girl has been so good while i get a few thirty-one orders entered, surf the web, check and delete emails. i think she may like her brother being gone, more than i do though.

we had a pretty productive labor day weekend. saturday we did some home improvement projects, to prepare the house to sell. sunday, i had a thirty-one party and after that, we celebrated my dad's birthday. yesterday, fletcher and i joined a friend at adventureland while adam did more to the house and brynlee hung out with grandma and grandpa. how was your labor day weekend? labor free?