Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful that Kael continues to improve on his PR for discus and has earned a varsity spot. Loved seeing him get a shoutout (make that three!) on the track/ASP Instagram accounts.

So, so happy for Kael! His hard work is paying off! 

I'm thankful Kase had a super fun birthday party and that it was a nice night for it! Love this group of buddies!

I'm thankful for Kase's Ameria themed music concert on Tuesday night.  He was really excited for it and did a great job and really got into doing the actions!

Fun to see him all dressed up! 

The April birthdays have been sufficiently celebrated around here, friends.  Bring on May!

Happy Birthday, Kase!

Happy birthday, Kase!

Not too long ago, a friend texted me out of the blue with a link to the following quote and she said, "Doesn't this make you think of Kase?! It's totally him! And it's totally you and Kent as parents!" 

"My parents let me be me.  They let me run around the house, play baseball, tear up stuff--you know--break a few windows.  My mom would get upset but my dad would say, 'You can't teach that swing, so let it go.'"  Ken Griffey Jr. 

I had to agree.  Kase is a kid who really isn't interested in sitting still.  He plays hard, sometimes rough.  But athletic things just come easy to him.  He's quick, he's strong, he has a great arm and a great swing and he sees the field/court so well.  He's the pitcher on the baseball team, the quarterback of the football team and the point guard on the basketball team.  

These two photos were taken less than 24 hours apart and to me, represent everything that is Kase. 

 

A couple months ago our whole family went to the Kurt Warmer movie and at one point in the movie Kurt says, "Life just felt better if I had a ball in my hands." It was so funny because we all collectively turned to look at Kase because that quote also describes Kase so well.  There isn't an object in this world that he doesn't view as a thing to be thrown, caught, dribbled...seriously anything.  On a long car ride he'd rather be allowed to toss a football around to himself in the back seat than have his iPad.  When we're trying to watch a game or movie as a family he, without a doubt and much to the annoyance of his older siblings, gets up to shoot hoops on the over-the-door hoop we have near the tv downstairs.  When it's freezing cold out and none of his friends stop by to play he calls them one by one until someone finally gives in, bundles up, and comes over to play football with him in the backyard. 

Kase's love affair with Pizza Ranch continues and on the rare occasion I have just him home, that's always where he chooses to go eat.  This day he ate 6 (!!!) pieces of dessert pizza.  And some ice cream.  Not too long ago we were out for my birthday dinner and were all surprised that Kase actually ate, and ate quite a bit.  (He's really not interested in food and also a little bit picky so anytime Kase eats more than a banana we're all shocked.) Anyhow, after we ate he said his stomach felt a little weird but not like he was sick or anything.  Kylee looked at him and said, "Kase I think you're full.  Do you even know what that means? Have you ever felt full before?" Ha.  So many days have passed when I think of my own grandma who, because Tammy was the youngest cousin and things were often busy when we were all together, would say, "Did anyone feed Tammy?" If I'm ever gone I have to remind Kent or whoever is home with Kase to feed him because he will never remember on his own to eat or ask for food.  On the rare occasion he does want something, he asks, "Can I have some hungry stuff?" which is just a funny Kase phrase we have all adopted. 

Kase is much, MUCH better about going to sleep than he was when he was little but once in awhile he still likes me to come into his room and make him super comfy which involves putting every blanket he owns on top of him.  Then he asks me to help him think of happy stuff to dream about.  I love these moments with him that remind me he's still just a little boy who needs his mom some of the time.

Kase surprises me with his sweet side.  This isn't to say that he's not a nice kid-he is.  It's just you so rarely see the softer side of Kase that when he says something particularly thoughtful or humble or goes out of the way to say something kind it sort of catches me off guard.  He places little value on what others think of him and I often wish I was more like that.  Wear a grass skirt to school on Hawaiian Day even though none of your friends are participating? No problem.  

Kase has grown up SO much this year.  Definitely one of the years I've seen the most transformation in him.  He struggled a little bit at the beginning of the school year to settle into the idea of being back in a classroom 8 hours a day instead of outside with his friends and his teacher contacted us right away. It helped that is teacher is a family friend and also that his teacher happens to be a guy so he and Kase are pretty close.  Anyhow, fast forward to conferences and his teacher actually thought that we had started Kase on some meds to help him focus because of how big of a change the teacher had seen in Kase just in the first few weeks of school.  We hadn't, of course, but it really is a testament to how Kase has matured.  He will likely never, ever be a kid who likes school outside of PE and recess but the fact that he showed so much improvement so quickly was so great to hear. 

Kase is ride or die.  I often joke that I pity the person who ever picks on Kase's best friends once middle school rolls around.  I don't think Kase would ever be the first to start a fight but he is oh so loyal and I don't doubt that he would finish a fight if someone started one with him. Kase is especially close to his bestie who lives a few doors down.  Those two spend so much time together that Kylee considers him her third brother.  

We had a great start to our morning celebrating Kase here and we can't wait to continue celebrating him at his party tonight with his friends.

I wonder how many years in a row we have pictures of Kase opening his gifts without a shirt on?!

So happy about his new bat!

You keep on doing you, Kase! We love you!!!!

Weekend Wrap-Up

Kylee had a track meet last Thursday night and it was so fun! She anchored the 4x800 and they won! She also won the 1500 by quite a bit! It was just a really nice night out and I could tell Kylee was having so much fun with all her track friends and also enjoyed running into people she knew from other teams.  

Friday night Kent and I had an Edward Jones event- it was so great to see everyone! Kylee babysat and then the rest of us went to Kase's football game.  

We ended up beating an undefeated 6th grade team- we were all so proud of our boys! Love how Kael gets so into the games too.

Saturday our baseball games were canceled which was a big bummer but it was nice we had time to stop by and see Grandma Cindy for her birthday!

Kael worked all day and Kylee hung out with Garrett then had a birthday party to go to.  After work, Kael went out for a bike ride while his friend ran and they almost got caught in the big storm! Lucky they made it back to Gabe's house just in time.  Kent and I went out for a belated birthday dinner with our good friends- so, so good to catch up with them.

Sunday games were canceled again and Kael worked again.  The rest of us went to Keith and Cindy's to celebrate the April birthdays.  Always great to see the fam and Kylee especially loved getting to hold Bo!

Later that afternoon Kent and Kase had baseball, Kylee and I ran to the mall then we went to watch her boyfriend's baseball game.  Fun day! That night it was nice for all of us to be home together, just relaxing and we ordered a pizza and hung out.  

Ready for another fun week and another birthday to celebrate!

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful for the sweetest surprise- Kylee's boyfriend brought her flowers after she qualified for Nationals and he also brought me flowers for my birthday- so thoughtful!

I'm thankful for the nicest night on Monday.  While I was bummed Kylee's track meet was canceled (I love watching her run but it would have been freezing!) I was happy to get to go out for a family dinner for my birthday.  The kids all were so good and so sweet and everyone liked their food and everyone was happy and agreeable all night.  Really can a mom ask for anything more on her birthday? We also had time for a family egg cracking contest since some of us missed the big family one on Sunday.  Kael was declared the overall winner! 

I'm thankful for how proud Kael was to surprise me with a pedicure gift card on Monday.  He had driven there after school to buy it for me and the look on his face when he walked in to give it to me just was the sweetest thing ever. 

I'm thankful for a very sweet and thoughtful note from Kylee left on the table the night before so I would have something waiting for me on my birthday when I woke up.  She's always so good about things like that.  

I'm glad Kent asked Kase to make me a birthday card.  Ha.  You'd have to see it to understand why this is funny.  Arts and crafts are not Kase's thing.  He did really want to have more presents to give me later that day but I told him the only thing I had wanted was to be together as a family. 

Happy Thursday!

April Birthday Boys

  Love watching these April birthday buddies grow and change. 

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Weekend Wrap-Up

Easter weekend was definitely not a typical Easter for us this year but we had a great weekend.  Here's how we spent it!

I'm thankful that Kase and I squeezed in time to decorate a few eggs! Happy we've been able to keep this tradition going for so many years.  Kylee even joined in to help with a few when she got home from a practice last week.

Thursday was so, so windy here that Kylee's track meet got canceled which she was bummed about because it was a home meet and lots of her friends and family had planned to come watch. She ended up spending some time with her friend that she hadn't had much time to hang out with recently so that worked out well. Kael hung out with one of his friends too.

Friday there was no school but Kylee and I needed to head to Kansas City for a volleyball tournament.  The Easter bunny left her a surprise in the car for the road trip!

Kael and Kase hung out at home together for a couple hours before Kent came home from work early.  Kael is such a good big brother pitching heavy balls to Kase!

Later Kase played with some buddies. Kent and Kael got some stuff done around the house and Kael had lifting and a track practice.

We made it to KC and got all checked into our hotel then headed out for her first matches! 

We went 2-1 the first day and she played great!

Friday night Kase had a football game- Kael and lots of family went along to watch despite the chilly conditions! I don't have any pictures (lots of video) but sounds like it was a fun game besides the lights going out!

Saturday morning Kael got to throw discus at Drake! Such a cool experience.  Lots of family was there to cheer him on too.

Meanwhile, Kylee had the afternoon wave for games in KC so we had the morning to just kind of relax then explore the area near our hotel.

These girls played so well on Saturday! 3-0 on the day!

These boys got to go out for dinner with Keith, Cindy, Kevin, Kaity, Kellen and Krue so they were happy campers! Kase had gone to a movie earlier in the day with his friend too.  

Sunday morning these boys woke up and found their Easter basket surprises and a few eggs around the house.  Kudos to Kent for being Easter bunny in my absence! 

I didn't like being apart for Easter so I appreciated all the pictures Kent sent me.  The boys watched church online (because we had changed plans so last minute with volleyball and track so there hadn't been any available seats in person.)

Sunday morning Kylee and I were up early to get checked out and to the convention center on time.  We caught the end of her good friends' game who played right before us.  

We had another great day of volleyball starting off with the first set going 30-28! We ended up winning the third 16-14 so these girls certainly gave it their all.  Loved spending time with Kylee this weekend and seeing her so happy.

Meanwhile back home my boys went to my mom and dad's to celebrate Easter and the April birthdays!

A football, a new baseball shirt, and new shoes.  What else could this kid ask for?!

So happy. 

Love this cousin crew! Kael had to leave early for work but sounds like these guys all had a great day together.

The annual egg-cracking contest!

Birthday buddies.  

The whole gang. Love that they were able to get together and squeeze in some birthday fun which is quite an accomplishment during our crazy April! 

In the end, Kylee's team was 7-2 on the weekend and 3rd place overall!!! So awesome in a huge tournament like this and they officially got a bid to Nationals!

I arrived home last night (after a crazy snowy drive home with lots of accidents spotted along the way) to a blessedly clean house and beautiful flowers on the table.  Kent even had a candle lit so the house would smell and look perfect when I walked in the door.  The boys were ready and waiting in the garage when we pulled in to help unload all our stuff for the weekend.  Love my guys.  It was great to sit around and catch up all together as a family- seeing all the things they had gotten from Easter (from the bunny and also from my parents) and hear about their April birthday celebration and dinner out with the Pattersons.  Like Kent always says, "we're better together".  It's always great to go and support our kids and be able to be at all their things but it's even better when we all end up back home together and can share and hear about each others' weekends.  We spent the evening unpacking, then sat in the hot tub, then later Kylee's boyfriend came over and brought her flowers for qualifying for Nationals and he even brought me flowers for my birthday! That was the sweetest surprise!!! What a great weekend and while it may have not been a typical Easter, I am certainly feeling every one of God's blessings and feeling so thankful for this life I have and another birthday celebrated!