Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful that Kael continues to work hard at football.  He got to play quite a bit at the game in Johnston on Monday and did great! Love seeing him out there. 

I'm also thankful for buddies for him to hang around with when he isn't in the game.

I'm thankful for a beautiful night to watch football! Thankful also for a neighbor who let Kase hang at their house all evening since we only had two tickets to the game.

I'm thankful for virtual days when Kase gets his work done early and can play with his best friend! They picked apples from our tree and ate them while waving to their friends at recess.

I'm thankful that my parents were able to take Kase and Kylee and have some fun on Tuesday night! They had a great time mini golfing. 

Meanwhile, Kent and I went on a (belated) birthday date night! We had never been to the Range out in Clive and it was really fun! He beat me, of course, but it was a cool place.  We also had time to look at hot tubs nearby before we golfed.  

Happy Thursday!

Weekend Wrap-Up

 Last week Kylee ran her beginning of season mile for time and she was thrilled to get a 6:06! 

I love these pictures from one of the coaches family members. 

Thursday when Kase got home from school he was so, so excited to find his new basketball shoes, new football cleats and receiver gloves had all come in the mail.  

Friday afternoon Kent took Kylee golfing.  They had the best time! Kase spent the afternoon playing with friends then ended up going to his friend's house while Kent and I went to Kael's football game.

Kylee found Kent's old CDs and sorted them and found some to paint! She is so creative.

Saturday morning Kent helped move some of his grandparents' things to their new assisted living place.  The kids and I rode bikes up to watch my niece and nephew play soccer.  It was a beautiful morning!

Later that day our friends from Kase's baseball team came over. The kids all had fun playing together and it was great to catch up with them. Later that night Kylee spent the night at her friend's house. 

Sunday Kent and I went on a long walk- it was so nice out! Later Kase had a football game against some of his best buddies- it was a great game and Kase played awesome but he was sad we lost.

Best buddies!

That afternoon Kael had football lifting and Kylee had cross country.  After that we went to Keith and Cindy's for a belated birthday celebration for Kent.  So great to see everyone!

The kids have schools 3 (well really two and a half) days this week so they are excited about that! Hope you all had a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful Kase found a way to entertain himself while we waited for a dentist appointment the other day.

I'm thankful that Kase was excited to read in his fort the other day! He's supposed to read at least 20 minutes a day but sometimes he doesn't seem thrilled about it.  A super simple "comfy spot" helped encourage him to read a lot longer yesterday!

 I'm thankful for fall busy-ness.  We may not be in school full time but the kids are keeping busy with basketball skills camps, football weightlifting and practices, cross country and plans with friends.  It all feels somewhat normal!

I'm actually thankful (today) for the hybrid schedule.  I don't mind helping Kase through each step of his work because I have the time and I'm genuinely interested in what he's learning about and helping him correct mistakes and explain things he doesn't understand.  This has given me the opportunity to be much more engaged in my third child's learning than I ever would have before.  

Happy Thursday, all! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

We are still getting used to this Hybrid schedule but Kase is happy his cousin is on the same schedule so they can walk to school together! Even on rainy days!

 

Kent left Thursday morning to go fishing with my dad, grandpa and brother-in-law.  They didn't have great luck but I think they had a fun time!

Friday the kids got their school work done early and by mid morning I had a house full of kids! Actually, they weren't really in my house- everyone was so desperate for some outside time they didn't mind the rain since it finally warmed up a bit and they played all afternoon!

Friday night Kael had a game.  The rest of us grabbed dinner with my sister, her kids and my mom.  Then the kids hung out at my sisters' while I went to the game and later my mom came too.  

The rain stopped for awhile and it was great seeing Kael out there! Keith and Cindy had come to watch the first part of the game too- so thankful for everyone who shows up to support Kael.

This is Kael celebrating after the Jags scored!

Saturday we had a lazy morning here.  Kids slept in then Kylee and I rode bikes to the Farmer's Market.  Kase and Kylee had friends stop by later that day.  Actually, they all stayed all day, basically.  I love a house full of happy kids.  Kael and I had fun watching the Iowa State game together and also he went to the gym.  Later that night he had a sleepover with friends and Kylee babysat.

Sunday morning Kent got home from his fishing trip much earlier than we anticipated so that was fun! He even made it home in time for Kase's first football game.  Kase played great- had two interceptions and scored the two point conversion after one of our touchdowns.  He was *so* close to having a one handed interception near the end of the game and he was so, so disappointed when he didn't completely catch it! He's such a competitor.  It was a beautiful day for a game and he was happy the team won. 

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful Kylee is getting along well with her braces! She got the top ones Tuesday and she said it wasn't as bad as she thought.  

I'm kind of actually thankful for the cool weather! So cute to see Kase in his hooded sweatshirt and hat.  I like cozy days in with my family.

I'm thankful that Kent had a fun birthday! He loved his "I'm Sexy and I Mow it" shirt.  He laughed SO hard when he opened it! We had a fun dinner out that night too. Loved celebrating our favorite guy.

I'm thankful for this stud! Seriously how grown up does he look.  I love how he's sticking with football this year and working hard.

I'm thankful that Kent has a weekend getaway.  He's been working hard and I'm glad he gets to spend his weekend fishing! 

Have a great Thursday!

Weekend Wrap-Up

We love fall!

Friday after the kids finished their school work I took them to the apple orchard for a couple hours.  It was such a nice day and it wasn't busy at all.  Kael and Kylee are getting a little on the older side to be enjoying it but they still had fun.  It's rare that I have just my own three kids without extra friends in tow so I really enjoyed the afternoon with them.  Watching them play tag on the jumpy pillow and just hearing them laughing and having fun together was totally worth it.

Friday night Kael had a game so my dad and Kent went as we only had two wristbands.  Kylee had a friend over to spend the night and one of Kase's friends hung out here for awhile too- watching the football game with us.  They kept chanting, "Put Kael in!" It was so sweet.

Saturday morning the boys went to my parents to help out in their backyard.  Well, Kent and Kael helped.  Kase mostly ate and hung out with Grandma. 

That afternoon as a reward for their hard work, Kent took them to Get Air! They had been asking to go forever and Kent tried to take them to Sleepy Hollow for mini golf and batting cages first but that turned out to be a bust. They were thrilled it worked out that way!

Saturday evening Kylee babysat our friends' kids while Kael stayed home with Kase and we had dinner out for Kent and Jess's birthday.   Then we golfed a few holes- it was so beautiful out on the course at sunset! We had a great time.  Kylee ended up staying over there and Kael stayed over at his friends' house too.

Sunday morning we loaded up and headed to Sheffield! My nephew wanted to celebrate his birthday there and let us all tag along for the morning.  What a gorgeous place to spend the day.  The kids had fun swimming, fishing, catching tadpoles, kayaking, and even trying out my aunt's stand up paddle boards.

That afternoon Kase went to the pool with a friend then ended up having a sleepover.  Kent, Kylee, Kael and I had a fun night at home together just playing cards and later some backyard kickball with the giant ball. Love family nights at home.

Monday morning Kent wanted to adventure!!! My sister let us borrow her kayak so that Kael and Kylee could both go too.  I was their driver and Kase was at a friend's house. 

Thankful Thursday

 I'm thankful to be feeling even a little bit better.  I have been in rough shape the last couple weeks. Also super thankful for my people.  Doing my errands, making meals...I couldn't do it without Kent, my parents, and my in-laws!

I'm thankful for a friend who texted (who is friends with Kael's football coach) me that she had mentioned Kael's name to the coach and he said, "Kael Patterson? I love that kid!" It makes me so, so happy to hear these things.  I know he's a great kid and I love it when other people think so too.

I'm thankful that Day 1 of virtual learning was a success. 

I wish I could say the same about Day 2. 

We're hanging in there, friends! How about you?