Gymnastics meet

Yesterday Kylee had her first ever gymnastics meet.

We really had no idea what to expect- we're new at this whole competition gymnastics thing.  She was excited and oh-so-cute in her new shiny leo.

We got there in plenty of time and soon the people started flooding in.  It was in Triad's North Gym- where Kylee had never been before.  She found her teammates and looked so happy.  It wasn't long before the moms around me all started talking, "I am so nervous for my daughter! I haven't been able to eat all day!"  That should have been my first clue to how intense the meet would be.  I, of course, had no problem eating all day and wasn't feeling the least bit nervous for Kylee.

Warming up. 

A pep talk from one of her coaches.

The girls lined up and then split up- Kylee's group was on the beam first, and she was the lead-off gymnast.  (I had no idea that this was similar to being the lead-off hitter in baseball.  In other words, Kylee went first for a reason.) She hopped up on the beam and was doing great.

She went to dismount, but she thought she was supposed to do a tuck jump and land on the beam, a move that is certainly not expected of girls at her level- in fact even the older girls at the meet didn't do that move.  She was supposed to tuck jump and land on the mat on the floor but in her attempt to land on the beam, she slipped and landed hard on the beam. She had a pretty good raspberry that needed some ice.  She was more shaken emotionally than physically, and if you know Kylee well, you know it takes a lot to make her cry.

I went over to talk to her and she was pretty down.  I know she didn't want to continue but I never doubted for a second that she would pull it together. Even at this point, I wasn't feeling the nervousness that other moms were expressing.  My confidence in Kylee is so strong.  She did her floor routine with tears in her eyes, but she did it.

Beam and floor routine happen to be her least favorite of the four, so while it was unfortunate she had to start with those, I think it really challenged her to push on and finish strong.  Next up was vault, where she was the first of any of the girls to land the jump on her feet! My heart burst.

She's starting to come around...

But she's still a serious competitor.  This is right before she starts her run to the vault. 

She sticks the landing!

Saluting the judges with a smile on her face.

A great score!

Last up was the bars, which she loves.  Always has. Her impressive arm strength often draws comments from other parents who watch her play at the park in our backyard.

Well now I'm just shamelessly bragging but she was the only one that the coach didn't have to hold onto during this move. 

Another perfect landing!

And she's back.  My smiley, happy, Kylee.  

At the end, three girls from Hot Shots got called up for special awards.  You should have seen how her face lit up when she got called for Best Effort!

A proud, well-deserved and hard earned salute.

My little gymnast.

What a day it was, you guys! It was a great experience for Kylee and I couldn't have been more proud of how she handled the ups with such grace and the downs with such resilience.  She really showed the true heart of a competitor and I was excited for her to wake up this morning because I had a little news for her- last night the coach of the older girls e-mailed me saying that after seeing Kylee's performance at the meet, she'd like to invite Kylee to move up a level! Kylee starts tonight and I can't wait to see what all this gymnastics world has in store for her!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful everyone is feeling better.  Kase and Kael had runny noses/coughs at the beginning of the week which they lovingly passed on to Kylee and me. Seems like we're all on the mend just in time for the weekend.

I'm thankful Kent and Kael had their first successful baseball practice last night. Pirates!

I'm thankful for the soup my mom brought for Kase and me when we weren't feeling well yesterday.

I'm thankful that Ankeny Little League has finally sent and confirmed this season's schedule.  My Type A, overly-organized personality can hardly handle another schedule change.  Nor can my calendar.

I'm thankful for a lazy, rainy day.  Also thankful for Monsters, Inc. on the DVR- Kase runs up and grabs his blanket, runs back down, sits in front of the couch and says, "Mikey Sully please? Sit right here, Mommy," as he points to the spot next to him.  Irresistible.

I'm thankful for my regular pediatrician.  She was booked on Wednesday when I decided to take Kase in so we saw another doctor.  She was....fine.  Just, only fine.

I'm thankful that I spent Kase's naptime baking (my grandma's recipe) Friendship Bread.  The house smells wonderful and I feel better serving that to my kids for snack time then a box of snack crackers.  Plus, are you dying at how cute that spatula shaped like a finger is!? Perfect for licking the bowl clean! ;)

Speaking of, I'm sure I didn't realize it at the time, but I'm so thankful that my mom was a stay-at-home mom.  I remember opening the door after school and walking in to the smell of fresh baked cookies.  Not every day, but often, she had the best treats for us (chocolate mousse, am I right, Mandy and Tammy?!)  And now that I'm a mom, I realize how important those first few moments after school are.  I hear more from Kael and Kylee in those five minutes after school then I do the entire rest of the day.  I can see their mood, I can tell if anything is wrong, I hear everything from who sat by who at lunch to how the substitute pronounces her last name ("It's Donna-hoo, not Donna-hue") to who has the longest hair in the grade now.  And I LOVE it.  I think the fact that I babysit after school only adds to it- the kids are often like, "Hey, G, remember when I saw you on my way to PE today? I totally waved at you," or "Almost all the boys got in trouble today.  But not Kael.  I don't think he was part of it." I so appreciate their inside scoop and believe me, I realize how valuable this will continue to be as the kids get older. 

I'm thankful I got to spend a little time this morning with one of my favorite nephews.  He and Kase are buddies. 

I'm thankful Kent's brothers came for dinner on Tuesday night and that they didn't mind eating spaghetti (aka the World's Messiest Toddler Meal) with us. Bonus points for them sticking around to watch Frozen with us. Double bonus points (quadruple points?) for singing along to "Let It Go". 

I'm thankful Kent's grandparents are coming down tonight.  Kent is anxious to show his grandpa all the work we've he's done in the basement and hear his grandpa's opinion on our next step.  The kids are just excited because they know that means we'll get to go out for dinner. 

I'm thankful that I finally got around to changing the picture next to my "About Me" section of this blog.  Previously, it was a picture of Kent, myself, Kael and Kylee circa 2010. That's waaaay pre-Kase.  

I'm thankful that I have filled yet another wall in this house.  I know.  Get excited.  I found some cute Eat, Drink, Be Merry printables about a year and a half ago via Pinterest and never had the right frames for them.  My mom was Goodwill-ing a bunch of stuff the other day and I snagged a frame from her before it got donated.  

I'm thankful Kael and his BFF are back on good terms.  A couple days ago, some things were said, feelings were hurt (mostly Kael's) and I was worried how it would all play out since the friend lives so close to us and we see him every.single.day.  I know this is a normal thing.  Kids change friends. Feelings get hurt.  I get it.  But Kael doesn't.  His perception and understanding of social situations make it so very difficult for him. (Anyone see Parenthood last week? Like that. Exactly like that.) Kael suggested that I text his friend's mom. How can I explain to Kael that I can't make kids be friends with him? And how can I tell him that without breaking his heart?  My heart aches just thinking about it.

I'm thankful/anxious for Kylee's first gymnastics meet coming up this weekend! Seeing her try on her leotard last night made me so excited for her.  However, it made Kent ask, privately, to me, later in the evening, "Do you think it was big enough? Like, was there enough material?"  I died laughing.  He should be thankful she's not a dancer- a lot of their costumes have a lot less material! And what is he going to say about some of the clothes she chooses when she's fifteen?

I'm thankful that when I just double checked dictionary.com for the spelling of something, the word of the day was "plash" defined as "a gentle splash". I can't wait to use that all summer long.

Lastly, I'm evidently thankful for parentheses. This post must have hit a record as far as parentheses usage goes.  Perhaps it's time I learn to properly punctuate around them...

Happy Thursday, all!

Spring Break 2014

In my Thankful Thursday post, I mentioned a few things we'd been up to over Spring Break.  Here are a few more highlights.

Wednesday morning we made homemade strawberry donuts with strawberry glaze.  You guys, YUM.  The kids and I had a lazy day here, making a giant blanket fort and lounging around.

Thursday Kael had a basketball thing most of the day that was put on by our Parks & Rec. He spent the day doing free throw contests, scrimmages and drills and had a blast doing it.  It didn't hurt that his BFF was there with him and there was pizza for lunch. While he was gone, Kylee, Kase and I had fun playing at the park and feeding ducks.

Friday we made our way back to the park- Kase LOVES riding in the bike trailer and loves looking at all the bulldozers and diggers that are around our neighborhood as construction season kicks in.

Also on Friday, Kent made some serious headway in our basement and we now have a fully functioning toilet down there! Get excited! He's put in a lot of hard work and has gotten quite a bit of satisfaction from being able to do it all himself.

Kent's mom came to spend the night Friday night- the kids were sooo excited about a sleepover in the "Bunk Bed Room" aka Kael's room.  Plus, when Grandma comes to stay, the kids know we get pizza for supper and Casey's donuts for breakfast.  Grandmas are the best. :)

Saturday morning we had watched Frozen in its entirety before 8:15 AM, it was freeeezing outside and Kent wanted to work in the basement.  So, Cindy and I took the kids to SkyZone.  We hadn't been for awhile and Kase hadn't been ever, so it was a great way to spend the morning.  We picked up the kids faaaavorite Mexican food on the way home then after lunch Kylee and I made Chocolate Cake Truffles in her Easy Bake.  (Seeing a trend here? Seems like lots of our Spring Break fun revolved around food....)

Saturday evening we met up with my parents at the Sugar Shack for a little dessert-before-dinner. Can you even imagine how excited my kids were when I told them they could order any dessert they wanted? Kael opted for a banana split while Kylee downed her Brownie Delight in record time.  Kase and I shared a chocolate malt.

This pictures is from Jethro's- thanks Terri for sharing it with me!

Last, but not least, Kent built some shelves in the area in our basement that will be our storage room and I am so excited.  I was even more excited when I got home to find that he'd built me a work station/desk in the room.  I could not be happier! Little by little our basement is really beginning to come together!

Long story short, we didn't go anywhere super exciting or expensive over break but we sure did have a lot of fun.  Kase is definitely going to miss the big kids as they head back to school this week.  And I suppose I'm ready to get back into a routine of cooking and cleaning like usual.

How was your week?

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that Kylee gets sooo into holidays.  She had her shamrock necklace, Lucky shirt and green headband set out the night before St. Patrick's Day.  Kael was hoping "the leprechaun" would visit us and do something sneaky/naughty and Kylee is understandably concerned about the idea of a little person sneaking around our house, so this year "the leprechaun" just brought a small gift for each kid- no trashing of the house or turning anything green.  Kylee was relieved.  But, it's just not St. Patrick's Day unless you consume at least one green thing so we turned our ice cream green and added green sprinkles. 

I'm thankful for a great kickoff to Spring Break last week. Kent took a rare day off and we got up early and drove to the Amanas for a big family-style breakfast that was out of this world! Then we went to the Iowa Children's Museum. We just love it there! It was a great day.

I'm thankful for plans to go to Jethro's tonight with Kent's family- his cousin Kelsey is heading back to South Korea soon and we are glad to get to see her again before she leaves!

I'm thankful with every chilly day that passes. One step closer to warmer weather. I hope.

I'm thankful (for Kent) that the NCAA wrestling tournament is this weekend. He loves it like most people love March Madness.

I'm thankful that the kids have so many friends in the neighborhood.  We've had friends over to play, join us for movie night, and have dinner with us.  A house full of friends- kids coming and going all day long- is a very happy house.

I'm thankful, however, for a clever sign idea I found.  It says "Sorry, we can't play" on one side and "We can play" on the other. So when Kase is napping or when I want to enjoy some family time, I just put the sign up on our front door. 

I'm thankful for a stop at the Indoor Playground and then lunch with my mom, sister, niece nephews. Wish my kids got to see their cousins more!

I, like the rest of the world, am thankful that Frozen was released on DVD Tuesday! We had so much fun watching it that night.

I'm thankful the weekend is near.  It will be one of our few free weekends before Little League kicks in.  Hoping to soak up every last, lazy minute.

Happy Thursday, all!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for Kylee's literal interpretation of a quote I have up in the house. It says, "Make your own sunshine." The other day, Kylee cut and taped big yellow circles (suns) all over our house. "See, Mom? I made my own sunshine!"

I'm thankful for the time change.  After one bad night of terrible sleep, we all seem to be adjusted now and I've even had to wake the kids up for school a couple of times.  And Kase is sleeping past 6:00! Amazing!

I could not be more thankful for Monday's weather. We were outside almost all day and even I didn't want to go in when it was time to start the kids' baths. We all walked him extra slowly from the park- soaking up every last minute of daylight that we could. Wish the warm weather would have stuck around!

I'm thankful for a few fun days hanging out with my mom and my nephew.  You'd think that since she stays home and watches Huston, and I'm home with Kase, and we're in the same town that we'd hang out all the time.  Sadly, not true at all.  It seems like the between the boys' naps, doctors appointments and such, we almost never get together. In the past two weeks, we've been to the mall, Toys R Us and Target together and in addition, we've eaten lunch out (yes, like, at a restaurant, even!) together twice! We've livin' large, folks.  :) Thanks for brightening up our week, Mom!

I'm a little late to the party, I know, but I'm thankful for a stop at PepperJax restaurant in town.  I had never been.  It was delicious.

I'm thankful that our busy season is around the corner.  Winter's fine.  We've kept busy enough with basketball for both big kids, gymnastics for Kylee, several book clubs at the library each month...but I'm ready for the busy-ness that spring brings.  Kylee has her first gymnastics meet coming up, Kael and Kent have Little League starting (which is going to be legit this year, you guys), and not to mention the barrage of birthdays (to refresh your memory we have Kael's birthday, my birthday, my niece's birthday, Kent's mom's birthday, Kase's birthday and my mom's birthday in about a three week time period with Easter in there too).  I've already been excitedly shopping for birthday gifts for the boys and Easter basket stuff for all of them.

I'm thankful that the Spring/Summer Parks & Rec guide came in the mail the other day.  I spent the better part of Kase's nap time geeking out over summer kid programs and super-geeking out trying to plug them all into our family calendar between already standing obligations/sports/vacations.

I'm thankful Kael didn't have to go to Little League player evaluations.  Since Kent is the coach, Kael is, of course, automatically on his team which means that Kael didn't have to be part of the draft.  Admittedly, I'm a little uneasy about player evals and a draft at age 9.  Kent reported that it all went just fine and we're really excited about the team this year.  Kent was able to draft a couple kids he coached last year and (maybe more importantly?) a few of Kael's buddies.

I'm so thankful that when Kent e-mailed his new team, one of the families totally stepped up.  If you've ever volunteered to coach a kids' sports team, you know that half the battle is finding a good assistant coach and finding someone willing to be Team Mom (an often thankless position that deals with organizing team photos, collecting fundraiser packets, etc.)  Well, Kent had drafted a kid that is apparently new to Ankeny, which is the only reason that the dad had not volunteered to be a head coach.  However, he e-mailed Kent saying he's been a head Little League coach for the past 8 years and would love to help out.  His wife also e-mailed Kent volunteering to be Team Mom, a job she's done for the past 8 summers.  In addition, another dad e-mailed Kent volunteering to be a "sheep herder" saying that he didn't feel comfortable coaching, but was more than willing to help keep the boys in line (not an easy task when dealing with eleven 9-10 year old boys). The season hasn't even started and I feel like we are off to a great start.

I'm thankful it's nearly Spring Break! We have a few fun things planned but mostly I'm looking forward to a week of just hanging out.  Crossing my fingers for warm weather.

What are you thankful for today?

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a few iphone photos I came across the other day. 

I'm thankful for thoughtful kids. Last Friday Kael went to an out of town basketball game with his friend as I gave him some money to spend at the concession stand. He came home with two suckers- he explained that he had two quarters left and wanted to bring something home for Kylee and Kase.

I'm thankful Kase learned how to hit the bucket when he was throwing up on Sunday.  

I'm thankful for the book Kylee read to me while she and I were alone in the car the other day.  She reads to me a lot, but it's usually books I've read to her before.  Hearing a book that I'd never read before was so sweet!

I'm thankful for how often Kase say, "Thanks" or "Thank you".  I bet he's said it a hundred times already today.  

I'm thankful for this picture. First, Kase wanted a robe like Kylee had so she put him in a fuzzy hooded sweatshirt. Second, I was tired of looking at the cobwebs on the super high light fixture in our entryway but wasn't willing to tackle it myself. Third, Kent is actually using a Swiffer duster that's taped to a broom. As you can see, Kase and Kylee were captivated by this. The longer winter drags on, the less it takes to entertain us around here. 

I'm thankful the weekend is near. It has been a loooooong week, you guys. Nearly all of us have been sick and we've been cooped up for far too long.