Memorial Day Weekend

We topped off the weekend with a Royals game Monday afternoon.  It was a 3:00 game and we actually stayed for the whole game!  The girls loved it.  We started at the playground and met up with Jen, Steve and Claire.  The girls had a ton of fun with their cousin Claire. 

Lauren loves to get sno cones at the game.  She always gets them with Killian.  Luckily I convinced the girls to share one.  So sweet huh? 

Lauren is awesome at posing for pictures these days.  Don't you love that skirt?  It is a 3T...yep that's right...a 3T. She is tiny..and it fits her perfect. 

The playground was a hit.  It was not too crowded early in the game. 

These three had so much fun.  Claire loved holding Lauren's hand and Addison had to do whatever Lauren was doing, of course. 

Addison was a little scared of the seats.  It she moved ever so slightly they would start to fold up and squish her.  We sat in our seats for a few innings and enjoyed some chips and juice the I brought in. 

Lauren actually loved watching the game.  She was totally into it this year.  And she loved the fireworks.  This is huge!  The past two seasons she has been very scared of the fireworks.  Early in the first few innings when we were at the playground there were 2 or 3 home runs hit, which meant fireworks.  Lauren went running to see them this year!  She is not scared anymore.  Yea Lauren!  After a few innings Addison was getting pretty bored in the seats so we started to head out.  Lauren was sad because she wanted to stay in the seats and watch the game.  It was hard to tell her that it was time to walk around again because Addison was bored.  

Mark and Steve toured the Hall of Fame and we decided to sneak in and cool off.  It was actually very cool and lots of memorabilia. 

After the Hall of Fame Mark and Lauren went back to watch the game while Addison and I headed to the playground.  It was packed and Addison had a hard time trying to get around.  But, she still had fun and did not want to leave. 

One more stop at the caroseul for a second ride, this time with Mommy.  It was a great day at the K.  Can't wait to go back in June for Commerce Day at the K when the Royals play the Cubs.  Mark is so excited to see his Cubs play! 

We also enjoyed a movie this weekend (Hangover 2.)  Mark went golfing, the girls (plus Killian) went to Orange Leaf (yes, again,) we enjoyed pizza with Jessica and Killian, Mark got a long run in (10 miles) and I did 6.  We had friends over Sunday night for a BBQ and also got some things done around the house.  It was a wonderful Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of summer! 

Graduation (Pre-K Style)

I can't even believe Lauren has graduated from Pre-K and will be starting Kindergarten in August.  Her school put on an amazing ceremony and the kids had so much fun.  The kids did the Pledge of Allegiance, sang a song, recited the Gettysburg address (well the first sentence anyway,) and sang a song about the 50 states.  Their graduation ceremony was complete with Pomp and Circumstances, cap and gown, and a diploma. 

Killian, Lauren and Seth.  Best buds for a long time now. 

Lauren did awesome walking in.  She had a smile on her face, she laughed and giggled and was so grown up and cooperative.  No bit of shyness in her tonight. 

Ms. Marina is her Pre-K teacher. 

So proud (her and us!) 

There was a balloon release at the end and the kids made a wish. 

Addison was getting pretty tired at the end. 

Crazy Seth. 

Killian of course. 

Lauren did not want to wear the hat so Addison did. 

Way to go Lauren.  You have learned so much this year in Pre-K.  You can count to 100, you are starting to read very well, you are starting to do addition, you can write your name perfectly.  You know your address and phone number and much much more.  You are going to love Kindergarten and you can't wait to start. 

Wordless Wednesday

Doing Good

For some reason the devastation in Joplin has really bothered me.  I really can't figure out what it is.  Maybe because I have a family now and 2 girls of my own.  Maybe because as a kid we stopped in Joplin every time we travelled to Tulsa to visit family.  Maybe because Joplin is about the size of Lee's Summit and I can't imagine a whole town being wiped off the map.  Maybe because I am a nurse and a hospital is supposed to be a safe haven for patients.  Not a place destroyed by a tornado.  Maybe because Children's Mercy is treating some of the pediatric patients from Joplin. 

Regardless of the reason why I felt compelled to do something for the people of Joplin.  Remember when I found a large amount of money on the ground when I was out running a few months ago?  I have held on to it wanting to do something good with it.  I decided last night that it would be donated to the Red Cross to help the people of Joplin.  But instead of just donating it Mark and I decided to take the girls to Wal mart to pick up some items to donate to a local church. 

I turned on the news and showed Lauren some of the pictures and destruction to the town.  I explained to her and Addison that so many people lost their homes, clothing, food, diapers, toys. I explained that they had no place to eat, no place to sleep, no place to take a bath, nothing.  I told her we were going to go to Walmart and buy things to donate to Ms. Pat's Church.  Ms. Pat is one of the teachers at Lauren and Addison's school.  She was a little fussy.  She did not want to go to Walmart, she wanted to go outside and play.  She wanted to see her friend Cody and eat popsicles.  Addison popped up and said "the babies need diapers."  Exactly.  The 2 year old got it.  The babies need diapers.  So I turned off the TV, told Lauren we were going to buy things for the kids and asked her to think about what they would need.  She suggested Fruit snacks and underwear.  I suggested toilet paper, tooth paste, deodorant, etc. 

When we got to Walmart Lauren helped pick out some underwear for a little girl.  She got the wipes for the babies and Addison made sure we got diapers for the babies.  I also picked up some rice cereal and bottled water.  We also got some sunscreen and some new towels. 

It was a lesson learned for the girls.  We need to be thankful for what we have.  We have everything, the people of Joplin have nothing.  We took it to Ms. Pat's church and talked about how thankful the kids will be when they get their new stuff.  After that we went home and ate popsicles and played outside.  It was a great night.  Mark and I felt very good at the end of the night. 

"This is the Best Saturday Ever"

The quote above is from Lauren.  We went to the Zoo on Saturday.  She was in heaven...at the Kansas City Zoo!  I can't wait till we hit the Omaha Zoo this summer as part of our family vacation to Chicago! 

The polar bear was a hit.  Both girls loved her.  This is the first time we have seen Nakita and she puts on quite a show. 

We actually stopped there twice since it is right there by the front doors when you walk in. 

Lauren really wanted to see the tigers and the lions.  We saw the tigers since they are towards the front of the zoo.  We skipped Africa (where the Lions are.)  We try and skip Africa as much as we can.  It is so far away and so little animals each time. 

The girls love this stroller.  We have gotten so much use out of it.  It is actually getting pretty hard to push them both.  It is 65 lbs of kid + stroller!

Penny, the elephant, had a birthday.  It was her 50th birthday.  The zoo had a party for Penny.  It was really cool and the girls really enjoyed it. 

This is not Penny, but all the elephants got a cake and a present to open up.  It was really fun to watch.  The present was straw covered in molasses and peanut butter, with some marshmallows thrown in.  Yummy. 

They even had cupcakes for everyone at the party!  Totally fun for the girls.  A party for an elephant at the zoo.  That is something we have never done. 

Of course I always snap a few pictures of the girls every chance that I get.  They are used to it.  Lauren in her dress of course, flip flops too!  She is such a great sport with me endlessly taking pictures of her and Addison. 

This girl will always pose for the camera and never takes a bad picture.  I just adore her. 

It was a great day at the Zoo and a very busy weekend.  We just did typical weekend stuff.  Errands, grocery store, laundry, etc.  We both got long runs in again.  Mark is thinking about doing a half marathon in 5 weeks.  I know he can do it.  I decided to run Sunday afternoon and was cooled off with rain.  Lots of it, very hard, only for about 5 minutes.  I was soaked!  Hospital Hill is in less than 2 weeks and I am ready. 

We spent Saturday night down at the neighbors house talking and relaxing.  The kids were begging for us to push them on the swing, play soccer with them, or baseball.  We all just wanted to relax.  But then I thought, it won't be long before we won't have relaxing Saturday nights at the neighbors house with the girls.  We will be busy running here and there, playing sports or doing gymnastics.  Then will come the Saturday nights when the girls are out with their friends with no interest in Mom and Dad.  We might be with the neighbors, but the girls won't be there and we will be left wondering where they are and when they are coming home! 

So I got up, pushed Addison on the swing for the millionth time this weekend, and Lauren too.  Because really, these times will be gone before we know it. 

Fun Field Day

Yesterday was Field Day at Lauren's school and she loved it.  Last week a note was sent home to let the parents know and Lauren had been talking about it since then!  She was on the green team, so she had to wear a green shirt.  She also had to have tennis shoes to participate in field day.  Lauren is not a tennis shoe kind of girl.  She prefers rain boots or flip flops...and she can really move in those things!  But, I went out and bought her some Nike's to wear for field day.  I made her pinkie swear she would wear then again! 

She came home with two medals and she was thrilled.  When I asked her what she won she said "the pulling rope thing" (tug of war I assume) and "running around the big field" (which I later learned was running through some cones in the big field.) 

She was dressed warm and ready to have fun.  Addison was her cheerleader dressed in her green shirt too!  Addison has 2 green shirts and she wants to wear them all the time!  I don't know why she loves them so much...

Anyway, today is McDonald's Day at school and Lauren is so excited for that too!  Next week is Pre-K graduation and then the summer fun begins.  I can't wait for summer!!!

Way to go Lauren at Field Day!

Wordless Wednesday

The Weekend

We did not have a ton of big plans this weekend which is always great.  We can get a lot of things done around the house and just lay low.  Mark and I both got a long run in Saturday morning (we both did 6 miles each.)  I have 3 more weeks till Hospital Hill and I was really nervous until Saturday.  I drove the course Friday afternoon after work and it will be HARD.  It is probably 50% hill, 25% flat, and 25% downhill.  You would think what goes up must come down...but that is not true for Hospital Hill.  I headed out Saturday morning just wanting to do a hilly 3 mile run.  Well as soon as I took off I could tell my legs felt great and it would be a good run.  So I did 6 HILLY miles Saturday morning, ran the whole thing without stopping, and it took a little over an hour.  An hour.  I ran for an hour.  Another thing I really can't believe I am able to even do.  One year ago I was not even running.  What a difference a year makes. 

After the girls went down for a nap I headed to Charming Charley to spend my gift certificate that the girls got me for Mother's Day.  It was great.  I was able to wander around the store for an hour trying to decide on what to buy.  I love that store! 

We had friends over Saturday night to hang out.  The Wright's and the Hooper's.  Killian and Seth, Charley and Macy, and their super cool parents.  We could hang out with them for days! 

This is Charley and Addison.  They are in the same class at school.  These 2 are trouble! 

Lauren and Seth.  Chillin out watching a movie downstairs. 

Macy (Seth's baby sister) and Charley enjoying dinner.  This was really the only time the Mom's got a break...when the kids were strapped into the booster seats eating dinner!

Killian, Lauren and Seth of course.  Seth was yelling at me about something...I can't remember what...I don't think it was bad or anything.  I think he just wanted to get my attention! 

The boys (big boys) headed down to the neighbors house to brew beer. Apparently if you are a man this is the coolest thing ever.  Our neighbor brews beer pretty often.  He always has beer in his fridge, so the guys were in heaven.  So after an hour of the ladies watching the kids we sent the big kids down to "check" on the older boys.  The kids ran back and forth for a while from our house to their house and finally the guys returned...a little tipsy.  I think they had fun though. 

Sunday was low key.  Mark to the girls to the mall in the morning so I could scrapbook for a few hours.  I have not been able to get away with my friend to do our marathon scrapbooking in a few months so I had a lot to get caught up on. I caught up on Addison's journaling to Christmas.  I had not journaled since last summer.  So now I have to get caught up on her acutal pages from February until now.  It does not sound like a lot, but I have a lot of pictures waiting for me. 

Mark and I both took a nap (the girls had a horrible night of sleeping Saturday night) when the girls napped.  They stayed up way past their bedtime (since we had friends over) and you would think they would sleep hard all nigth.  Nope, not our girls.  It is just the opposite when they stay up late.  I headed to the store and then drug everyone to Target with me.  We came home, Lauren helped me cook dinner (2 meals, one for later in the week) and then it was almost baths and bedtime again.  It was a great weekend, not to busy, and a good time with friends.

Two of my friends had their babies this weekend.  Congrats to Amy and Shannon, baby Liam Alexander was born on Friday May 13th.  And to my friend Kelli, Maggie Mae was born on Sunday May 15th.  I can't wait to meet both of the new babies and get my baby fix! 

Vacation

Last year at this time we were here:  Disney World

• Day 2
• Day 3
• Day 4
• Day 5

I can't wait to go back.  Next Summer...June maybe!