The To-Do List is Done! (for now)

Memorial Day weekend was gorgeous! Really, we could not ask for better weather. Plenty warm to be outside in shorts and tank tops, but not hot enough to have to close up the house and turn the air on. We stayed home this weekend, even though all the Kellen's went to Okoboji! Ugh, it was so hard to stay home, and, at times, a little depressing. But, we knew we had projects that had to get done in order to go on our first summer vacation next week. Once we get home from Branson, it's time to start a little barn remodel for pumpkin season.

Although we made it through our entire to-do list, we still managed to have some fun. Today we took a picnic to the Cedar bridge and then went to the airport to watch skydivers. The club that jumps from this airport is great. We got to stand right on the airfield where the planes take off and land and where the skydivers land. We were right in the action and the kids loved it.

Here are some pix of the kids from our picnic. Why, you may ask, are they so hazy? Well, Cooper had been taking his own pictures a few days ago and I didn't realize how greasey his little hands were! Needless to say, my lens required a little cleaning.

These, days, every time I look at my little boy I think two things...."You're so cute!" and "You're so big!" Jeez, they are both growing up so fast!

In All My Anticipation......

...I didn't realize how emotional I would feel today as Layla officially finished preschool. I am so happy to have a break from the 35 minute commute to and from school. I am even happier that I no longer have to entertain a 2 year old in Des Moines for the 2 1/2 hours while Layla is in school. However, seeing her walk across the stage at her graduation ceremony made me sad that another year of her life is gone. I feel like I'm in that place of parenting where I love seeing my kids mature, yet I don't want these days to become the past. I enjoy the little pieces of freedom I gain with their growing independence, yet I still enjoy the intimacy of the care they still need. We are so proud of Layla and love the experience we had this year. Thank you Mrs. G. and Mrs. H.

Layla is very excited to be able to sleep in every day. Currently, she will sleep until 8:30am on the weekends. I'm sure by the end of the summer she will be pushing 9 or 10. Now, if only I could get brother to sleep past 6am!

The Cutest Boy

Pumpkin planting has started. And here is one happy little man to be riding shotgun with his daddy. Follow our adventure here.

Ahh.....PAINT!!!!!

Since Layla started school in the fall, our home craft projects have been pretty blah. But, low and behold, what did we find at the bottom of the massive craft box....PAINT! And then it occurred to me, Cooper had never painted. Let the fun begin! Cooper made a big 'ol mess. When he asked, "Mom, I eat paint?" I knew we were nearing the end. I turned around for one second and, well, you guessed it. Luckily, it wasn't good enough to devour!

Seen This Before

There are certain times I take a picture and I can remember taking a similar one in the past. Here are best friends, Layla and Cooper, when Layla was 2 and Cooper was 6 weeks old. Layla was helping brother get through the frustrations of tummy time. And here they are two years later, watching cartoons on our bed. Still best friends.

Rainy Day

We can't complain about a little rain.....unless you're tyring to plant pumpkins! But, that' another story, or blog.

So today, we embraced the rain. We were happy to see it drench our big, newly planted wildflower garden and grass. When we got back from running errands today, I asked the kids if they wanted to go play and ride their bikes in the rain. I didn't have to ask Cooper twice, he was out the door. Layla actually hesitated. I could see she was thinking through getting wet, being cold and having to change her clothes when she got back in the house. But, she bit the bullet and went. After a few minutes in the rain she asked me if I could get her some gloves...she wasn't enjoying riding her bike and holding onto the wet handle bars.

I said, "Layla Faye, I'm not getting you gloves. You're playing in the rain, you're supposed to be wet. Embrace it."

She thought for a few seconds and said, "When you're right, you're right mom and I think this time you're right."

Just this time?

Mother's Day

I started my Mother's Day with Dave's baked, blueberry french toast and ended it fishing on the pond with Dave and the kids. All in all, a great day!

Happy Birthday Dave

It was a celebration weekend. Dave's birthday was Friday, so we made him his favorite supper.....grilled steak, fried potatoes and green beans almondine with homemade cherry pies. Saturday night we had friends out for smoked pork and all the fixins'.

I love Dave, he is my best friend. He's also the best dad I've ever known. The love and bond that he has with his kids are proof of that. Layla still calls him "daddy" even though I've long since become just "mom". And Cooper, he just wants to be with Dave EVERYWHERE he goes. I think he would sell his sister off for just one ride in the tractor with his "doddy".

"It's just really special...."

Layla and I took a stroll down the driveway and out to the mailbox today. On the way back we stopped to sit on the dock for a bit and look through the mail. To Layla's surprise, she had a card! She has no special occasion coming up, so the anticipation grew as to who sent it and why. She ripped it open and handed it to me to read. It was from a special adult in Layla's life who reads our blog and this is what it said...

Layla,
I want to thank you for being so brave at your tumbling performance even though you were afraid. We're going to face that many times in our lives and we will have to do it afraid. We always know Jesus is with us so we're never alone. You showed me a very valuable lesson. I am proud of you. You may be a little girl, but you are very wise.

Layla had a sweet smile on her face and an expression I have never seen. Then, she buried her face in my shoulder. I asked, "What do you think?" She pulled back and said, in a small, quiet voice, "It's just really special mom. I just love it so much." The joy was so intense on her face, I thought she was going to cry. I now know what Layla's expression is when she's overwhelmed with joy, not just happiness.

A Man of Few Words

Cooper David is a man full of stories, but very few words. He knows what he's telling us, but we don't always understand. Tonight, however, those few words were crystal clear and so sweet.

Cooper loves to pray together. When we sit down for supper or tuck him into bed, he reaches for our hand and says, "pway" (pray). Tonight at supper, with Daddy gone, Cooper reached one hand to Layla and one to me and said, "Mom, I do pway." He took Dave's role and led our prayer. His sweet little words?

"Sheshus hop Daddy." (Jesus help Daddy).