Manhattan, KS and a 40th Wedding Anniversary

There is one place I have been in my life that I love visiting over and over.  Every time I hit Junction City on I70, I get a little excited.  Then as I exit the Interstate and head into Manhattan, I can't help but smile.  I love the Flint Hills.  Rolling prairie dotted with cows. 

Yesterday I loaded up the kids and we made the short drive to Manhattan.  We had a lot to celebrate, you see, for I am not the only one who smiles when they drive into town.  December 27th was my parents 40th wedding anniversary.  Yep, 40.  Not many make it this long any more.  But my parents have and they met 40 years ago in Manhattan while students at KSU.  My Dad told the story at the surprise lunch we had for them and I hope I get it right.  My Mom was a hostess at the Ramada restaurant which is directly across the street from campus.  It was Dads first night of work as a maintenance man/jack of all trades guy.  They shared the same boss and she was showing Dad around when they walked through the swinging doors of the kitchen and who should be coming in while they were walking out?  My Mom.  He said he noticed her right away.  Her big smile.  He also said their boss noticed the connection immediately and made the remark that she would have to make THAT introduction!  They hung out a lot after hours when all the workers sat around visiting and that was it.  Now, 40 years later they have 3 children and 3 grandchildren and lots of memories in the middle. 

We took my parents to Kites yesterday for lunch and waiting for them were all my mom's sisters, two of their husbands and my cousin Emily.  We totally surprised them and had a great time reminiscing about their wedding. 

Randy, Joan, Monica, Marcia, Max and my parents

My Mom had even found the receipt for her wedding, a little over $300!  Yep, that included flowers, invitations and the dress she made herself.  We were laughing because the ladies that were paid to set up made $1.50 an hour!  They talked about how Aunt Joan was pregnant and wasn't in the wedding (she was at the guest book) because back then you pretty much hid your big belly.  Now, of course, you see pregnant women all the time standing up for brides.  Times have changed in 40 years!

After lunch we went back to my sister's and had cake (cousin Emily has a birthday on the 29th) and ice cream and Mom and Dad opened anniversary cards and looked through the scrapbook my sister and I put together for them. 

Emily, Shelley and the birthday cake!

Opening anniversary cards.

No trip to Manhattan is complete without doing something K-Stateish.  One of Wyatt's favorite things to do is go to the old stadium and play soccer or football.  It is turf and open to the public and a great place to take kids to get rid of some energy.  We took him there before the trip home and he and Deetda (my Dad) played some football. 

After a good meltdown from Wyatt, both kids were asleep in the car before we hit Seth Childs on the way out of town.  Good day if I do say so myself!  I hope my parents had a great day too and enjoyed their night out on the town.  They are going to take a trip to Alaska at some point and I would say that is a perfect anniversary trip.  My Dad has never been and there is nothing like an adventure to renew your marriage!  I love you guys and appreciate all the hard work you have put into your marriage.  Happy 40th anniversary and I hope you have many more happy years together!

Christmas Eve and Birthday Time

Today, at about 5pm four years ago, I brought my little boy home from the hospital.  I unexpectedly gave birth 3 weeks early and got a Christmas present that was the best ever.  I can't believe Wyatt Michael is already four.  It completely blows my mind how fast four years have gone.  He wanted Subway for lunch, his favorite. 

We celebrated with the same people that were here the day he was born, my mom, dad and sister,  plus Wyatt's best little friend, Lunden.  It was of course a K-State football birthday party complete with the K-State football helmet cake that grandma made him. 

Wyatt and Lunden played to their little hearts content and had a great day!

Wyatt got to have his birthday party at school this past Tuesday.  Of course it was also along with their Christmas/Advent party so I had to take football cookies, just to make sure he got something birthday-ish. 

I know the years are going to keep clipping away which makes me even more determined to make sure his birthday gets celebrated.  He is so special to me and I am lucky to be his mom.  Loved having everyone here and so glad he got to spend time with his friend!

Make It Go Away

There are things in life you just don't understand fully until you have kids.  You have empathy for others but I am really not sure there is anything stronger than the will to want your kid to be healthy.  I am lucky, my kids have their health.  Minus a couple of minor ailments for Lorelai but I try not to complain.  It could be oh so much worse. 

Today one of Lorelai's problems acted up.  She has had eczema since the beginning of her little life.  I don't really remember when she wasn't plagued by the red blotchy skin somewhere on her body.  Today it was the worse I have ever seen.

Lorelai soaking in her oatmeal bath

I hate eczema.  I hate how it must make her feel.  We were fine yesterday.  This morning blotchy cheeks and then this.  Her belly was in the process of doing this too.  It is completely horrible stuff.  I have tried everything the doctors, internet and friends have offered and nothing works.  She has a steroid cream we use when it gets bad but it hasn't been like this before.  It makes me want to cry just looking at the picture.  Yesterday I bought an Aveeno lotion specifically made for eczema/sensitive skin and endorsed by the National Eczema Association.  We tried it tonight and she screamed like no other.  Mike and I did everything to get it off of her.  I have no idea how something made and sold specifically for this problem can possibly have anything in it that would be irritating.  So, we are back to using only Eucerin.  It doesn't cause her any discomfort, she is just a grease ball when you get done.  We read tonight that most kids outgrow this by age 10.  Geez, only 9 years and 4 months to go.  I pray in the morning she looks like a new kid.

Time Is NOT On My Side

48 hours ago the time changed.  This is my first experience with two kids at different stages of life during a time change and I am over it.  It took less than two days.  I am over it.  Obviously when this started, they were not one bit concerned with the mothers taking care of babies at home that DO NOT care that the time has changed.  For example, we are usually off and running between 6 and 6:30am which is now 5 to 5:30am.  Now with one child, this wouldn't be much of a problem.  I would just rest up when they did.  But with one kiddo that needs naps (the one that gets me up at all hours of the night) and one kiddo that doesn't nap at all, getting up at 5:30 in the morning and making it until 7:30 at night is not easy.  I admit it.  I NEED MY SLEEP!!!!!! 

There was a time in my life where I was sometimes on the road for work by 4am.  I decided after I changed jobs that I would never ever work a job that required me to be up before 6am.  A girl needs her rest afterall.  Unfortunately, when I had kids I just didn't realize this would be a before 6am job.  I suppose I had the same thought most of us parents have.  My kid will be a sleeper.  I am going to be lucky to not be one of those tired, dark circles under the eyes, strung out moms.  Uh, right. 

I know, I know.  This too shall pass, right?  Well, I have a theory that by the time my kids are to the stage in life where all they want to do is sleep, I am going to be at the stage in my life where I can't sleep.  One more reason to have kids when you are younger.  You both get a few years to sleep in! 

So, if you are enjoying the time change, please keep it to yourself.  I am not interested in hearing about all the beautiful sleep that is occurring at your house.  Good for you.  I am headed to get another cup of caffeine and a chocolate chip cookie.  And maybe if I am lucky I will make it another 6 months until the time rights itself and I can get back to 6am!

Principles of Sport

I have principles.  I probably have a lot of them.  In this case I am talking about sports. I was a college athlete.  My husband was a college athlete.  Me, a volleyball player.  Mike, a baseball player.  I still love playing, watching, coaching and I know my husband does too.  It really doesn't matter what I am watching.  If it is competitive, I can get into it and find a team/person to root for.  This is where my principles can get in the way and probably limit my fun somewhat.

I refuse to pay more than $35 for a college football ticket.  I think it is silly that you "need" a basketball practice facility right next to the gym you play games in where yes, there is a basketball court.  Seriously, is it really that hard to schedule practice times between two teams?  There are 24 hours in a day!  Among other things, I also think it is crazy to have so many uniforms you can mix and match to make 48 different combinations. Yes Oklahoma State fans, I am talking about your football team.

Tonight, Mike and I had to agree to disagree.  When it comes to uniforms, Mike thinks a nice shiny new uniform gives the athlete an edge and perhaps even makes them play better.  Nice new uniform, you feel better about yourself, you play better.  Me, I disagree totally.  I wore some pretty ugly uniforms in my playing days.  Those of you who played at Barton County or played against us in volleyball will fondly remember the unitards. :)  They were horrible, one piece uniforms that none of us liked but I can with out a doubt say that it didn't make us play worse.  We played in the National tournament both years!  I just don't see how a uniform can affect shear athletic ability.  Maybe it is just me?  I didn't play to look good, I played to win.  I got a high out of hitting the crap out of a volleyball, not looking my best in spandex.  Now, to his defense, baseball players are some of the most superstitious athletes I know.  So it doesn't surprise me in the least that he thinks a uniform can make or break a game.  I will give him that much.  A millimeter.

So much money is now forced into college sports.  Every facet is controlled by a dollar bill.  Because of this, pure sport is in serious jeopardy.  I would just like to think that competition hasn't been reduced to playing well just because you are wearing uniform combination 28.  Maybe put some of the money spent on purchasing 10 uniforms and helmets just to look cool toward reducing the price of my ticket so I can afford to take my family to a game and buy my son a popcorn when we get there.  So sorry honey, I don't think I can agree to disagree.  We will just have to disagree!  And tomorrow, when OSU takes the field against K-State, I hope they are wearing uniform combination 32 because it really does nothing for their figures and right now, K-State will take whatever advantage they can get.

Happy Halloween!

I will be the first to tell you that Halloween is my least favorite of all the holidays.  Even as a kid, I didn't enjoy trying to figure out what I was going to be and if I remember correctly, my Mom usually came up with something that we could both agree on and she would make it herself.  I was even a nun one year!  I don't like to be scared (never have and never will) and I think most now use the day as an excuse to dress inappropriately in fish net stockings. :) 
 
All that aside, I have kids now and Wyatt is old enough to understand that you can dress up, say trick or treat and candy magically appears in the bucket you hold out in front of you.  This year, Wyatt chose to be, wait for it..... drum roll........ a K-State football player!!!!!  I know, totally surprised those that know him.  I didn't mind one bit that he wanted to be this since we had the uniform already.  We took the kids to a trunk or treat at our church the night before Halloween and at the 11th hour he decided to pull out last year's fireman outfit but on Halloween, it was all K-State football.

My little Lorelai was a ladybug.  I found the costume ultra cheap on Craigslist and it is super nice and one she can wear next year (and will!).  I am not one who drags around a baby with a bag to collect candy they will never eat but it was fun to dress her up and just take her along for the ride.  She was mostly less than thrilled but we went with Mike and Wyatt until we got to our friend's house around the corner and then headed home and left the boys to trick and treat on their own. 

The day before Halloween headed to Resurrection's Trunk or Treat!

On Halloween ready to Trick or Treat!

 Halloween isn't complete without a jack o lantern so Mike and Wyatt made one out of the little pumpkins we had and it turned out pretty cute.  Wyatt also had the K-State pumpkin he won at his school's carnival a week ago.  That one will never go under the knife according to Wyatt so it may be around for next Halloween.  He pretty much loves the pumpkin so I don't know what is going to happen when it is time for it to go bye bye. 

I know there won't be many Halloweens like this.  With Wyatt wanting to be something nice and not scary and Lorelai peeking out from behind her ladybug antennae so I enjoyed the moment and let Wyatt eat an extra piece of candy.  The funny thing was, I think he had more fun handing the candy out to the other trick or treaters than eating it himself!  That's my kiddo!

Mike informed me that he wants to decorate the garage up next year.  Yippee.  I suppose that means the Darth Vader costume is coming back out of hiding.  He didn't wear it this year since Wyatt is scared of everything right now.  But, I have to let those who enjoy the day enjoy it.  Just don't scare me and be sure to tell me how cute the little ladybug is that I am holding and it will be a Happy Halloween!

Breathing Easy

Lorelai has had a tough go of it lately.  I had a cold, then Wyatt got it, then Lorelai.  That was 8 days ago.  About halfway through the last week we thought she was doing better.  Then it got markedly worse.  Of course I noticed because I was up most of the night with a kiddo that couldn't quit coughing.  So you run through everything in your head that the doctor/nurse will ask if you go in.  Fever - No.  Nasal discharge - No and what she has is clear.  Eating well - No too bad.  Lethargic - No.  So, I didn't take her in thinking she had a run of the mill cold and would be better tomorrow. 

Last night I was up yet again most of the night with her and the ugly cough.  So, because I don't like sleeping in a twin bed with a 3 year old (Wyatt and Lorelai share a room) so I could be close to her, I called the doctor.  They had me come in and the doctor stuck his stethoscope to her chest and promptly said, "You sound terrible."  To which Lorelai promptly started screaming.  It was quite funny.  He told her he didn't mean her to take it so personally but I don't think she cared much.  He had them bring in a breathing machine for a treatment and then listened to her again after a couple of minutes and voila!  Better!  I literally couldn't hear her actively breathing like before when every time she inhaled and exhaled she sounded rough.   I was so excited to have her breathing clearly! 

This brings us to the "diagnosis"  I use this loosely because it isn't exactly a diagnosis, more of a wait and see.  The doctor called it Reactive Airway Disease and said that if this keeps happening to her, she may have asthma.  He gave her this diagnosis for two reasons.  One, she has eczema.  Two, her Dad has asthma.  These two things are linked to a higher incidence of asthma.  From what I have read, it is very difficult to diagnose asthma in children before age 6 so Reactive Airway Disease is used for those who are showing symptoms like Lorelai but just can't be diagnosed. 

Lorelai now has an arsenal of meds to get her over this bump in the road.  I am hoping the breathing treatments and oral meds help her recover and with any luck, this will be the only episode she ever has.  My fingers are crossed.  I just want her to feel better and breathe easy.

Purple People

I bleed purple.  Of course this is a figure of speech but Kansas State runs pretty deep in me.  I grew up a Wildcat.  Both my parents graduated from KSU, it is actually where they met.  I don't remember them pushing us kids to like one team over another, it just happened I think.  My Mom tells me I attended my first KSU football game with I was just a few months old.  She said they just bundled me up under the bleachers!  Football was different then.  KSU was not good, not even close to good, so there were a lot of empty seats.  I can remember as a child going to games and running around in the empty stands on the south end of the stadium.  Like my parents, KSU is now my alma mater and I am so excited that my sister will graduate from there in May!

This brings us to my kids.  Like me when I was a kid, my son has an affinity for the Wildcats.  I suppose I have encouraged this and to tell you the truth, I love it and I don't care one bit.  He knows the words to the Fight Song, The Alma Mater and currently is trying to figure out the words to The Wabash Cannonball.  When I signed up Lorelai for the Born to be a Wildcat program, Wyatt truly thought she turned into a Wildcat.  We got a magnet in the mail of a baby Wildcat and the other day when he was moving it around on the fridge he told me he was moving Lorelai to the cabinet.  Pretty cute if I do say so.   Maybe if I am lucky I will have two kids who bleed purple!

On October 1st, I got to take Wyatt to his 3rd KSU football game.  It was Lorelai's first!

Lorelai in her purple and white tutu Grandma made her and Wyatt in his number 87 jersey!

Wyatt and Lorelai are getting to experience the games in a different manner than I did.  The stadium was packed, two loud jumbo trons blaring, thunderous roaring when something good happens.  And boy did they have fun!  Wyatt was in heaven (and so was I!).  He didn't know where to look first.  He was super excited to see the players come out of the tunnel and of course, loves the band.  Go tubas!  Then there is the matter of Willie the Wildcat.  He loves him...... from afar.  Doesn't like when he gets too close or he loses track of him! 

We went with my parents and my sister was there working for the athletic department. 

It was major fun!  After the game we took our time getting back to my sister's and Wyatt and Deetda played football in the grass at the agronomy building where we parked. 

Lorelai trying to eat Wyatt's helmet!

And he hasn't stopped playing since.  Just yesterday, he and his dad played in the yard for 3 hours!  He asks me all the time if he is a K-State football player and of course I say yes.  Then the other day he got the idea to pretend like he was running out of the tunnel from the side of our house.  Let's just say if you walk by the front of our house at any given time you will here me announcing number so-and-so, Wyaaaaaaaaaatt Sullenger!

I guess the purple mania is all my fault.  I am secretly hoping that Wyatt and Lorelai are 3rd generation Wildcats.  I know it is a ways off but a girl can dream, right?  Afterall, EMAW!!!!!

Big Week In A Little Life

Lorelai had a big week.  It just reminds me how fast they grow.  One minute she isn't crawling, the next her little legs are moving together and she is after something that caught her eye.  Monday, the 10th, my little baby girl started moving forward.  She became mobile and I became frozen.  Frozen in the moment watching her go.  It is absolutely amazing to be there to see it happen. 

Her favorite things to go after: Number one is definitely electrical cords.  She finds them in places I didn't know existed.  She loves her brother's Matchbox cars (yippee, tiny pieces in the mouth).  And lastly, the dog water bowl.  Why oh why can't any of her age appropriate chew toys be on this list?! 

Second big to do for the week, she can pull herself up on her knees and has done it once to her feet.  This happened two days after learning to crawl.  She didn't get my memo to SLOW DOWN!!!!!  So, today Mike lowered her baby bed so she can't topple out on her head. 

Last, she started eating finger food in her high chair.  I gave her some Gerber Puffs and she thought they were the best ever.  Until she finally got one in her mouth.  It went in and came flying back out.  So funny!  She isn't to happy about eating anything but her milk and oatmeal cereal so this isn't a big surprise but made Wyatt and I laugh.

So, this week has had some milestones and I know there are many more to come but I am trying to separate and enjoy each one.  We spend so much time with our first child excited for them to reach each moment.  The last child is different.  You want them to go about things slower because you know this will be the last time you get to experience a little life of yours doing something important for the first time.  So special......

Where Milk Comes From

I live in the city.  Well, on the edge of a city anyway, and this looks like where my kids are going to grow up.  Not in the rural setting I came from.  So, I have made a pact with myself.  My kids WILL know where their food comes from.  Today I was able to take Wyatt to a small local dairy to learn where his milk comes from.  Truth be told, I learned a few things too.  I grew up around cattle, not dairy cows and there is a pretty big difference in how the farms operate. 

I was so excited Wyatt would get to spend some time on the farm.  He watched them milk a cow, then feed some of the milk to a calf.  He thought the calf had a pretty funny tongue.  I think he was pretty amazed by all the milk they got out of that cow!

We also got to feed their chickens (Lorelai loved the baby chick that the lady showed her!), ducks, turkeys and watched her feed the baby pigs.  Then the fun part, the kids got to bottle feed a calf.  It was pretty cute.  Wyatt informed the lady he knew what he was doing because he feeds his sister.  She got a good laugh out of that one. 

They had a few items for the kids to play and crawl on and through and a great little hay maze that was more of a raceway for Wyatt than a puzzle. 

The baby pig races were pretty cute but his two favorite parts about the entire trip where.... drum roll.... the airplane play gym and the baby kittens!  We stayed for quite a while after everyone left and he must have carted one of the kittens around for 45 minutes while it clung to the front of his jacket.  It was so cute.  I can remember playing with the little farm cats and kittens as a kid.  Holding one just put a smile on my face.  I can't remember the last time I held a kitten! 

We had such a great time with everyone and Wyatt got to breathe some good country air for a morning.  And, he now knows where his milk comes from.  I can mark it off my Raising Kids Bucket List.  Now if only I could figure out how to sneak one of those kittens past my hunting dogs and my husband we would be in business!
 
Klausmeyer Dairy Farm

The Jersey

I have never been into the latest fashions, I hate doing my hair, mostly because it refuses to cooperate and I don't spend much time on makeup.  I didn't get the dress-me-up-and-make-me-look-pretty gene.  So, I never expected one of my kids to be this way.  No of course it isn't my daughter.  She is way too young to care what I dress her in.  It is my son.  My son LOVES wearing jerseys.  And he is even specific about which top goes with which bottom. More than once I have tried to pair certain shorts with a regular old t-shirt only to be told, "MOM, those go with my jerseys!"  In the heat of this past summer, my son almost every day wore a hot, unbreatheable jersey.  The only time he isn't in one is when they are all dirty and I haven't done the laundry.  He then very sadly asks me why all his jerseys are still dirty and I walk, head down, into the laundry room and start a load.  I pick my battles and this is one I don't want to mess with. 

It makes him immeasurably happy to wear a jersey.  Just look at the smile in this photo.  Ear to ear!  He knows the numbers that go on each and will ask for the specific one.  "Hey Mom?  Is my number 8 jersey dirty?"  He is currently getting worried because his number 1 jersey is getting too small.  It was a hand me down like most that we have and he is dreading the day it goes away.  We have certain places he can't wear them, like church, although church functions are just fine.  He gets to wear them to school, but I did feel the need to let his teacher know I wash them often for fear she would think he wears the same clothes every day.  I know when he is older, I am going to look back at his photos and laugh at the fact that in most every picture he is in, he is wearing a jersey.  Until then, I am just going to keep the washer running and maybe look for a good sale on jerseys. :)

On this Day

On this day, 10 years ago, I was in the Derby school district office turning in paperwork to become a substitute teacher.  The radio was playing as I waited and that was when I heard of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center.  I rushed home, turned on the tv and called my husband who was at work.  I was watching when the second plane hit.  I will never forget the exact angle that plane was banked.  The speed it traveled.  The fire.  I was in the middle of the country but it felt like it was happening in my backyard.  I didn't want to watch yet I couldn't take my eyes off of the dust.  The people.  The photos in my mind kept going back to the people falling, jumping.  All of the paper floating endlessly in the sky.  To this day, I still see it in my mind.  And I wasn't even there.  We live close to an air base and at times, the KC135s fly routes that as they bank to land, look remarkably similar to those planes that hit the towers and I have to look away.

Life changed for me that day.  Life was fragile and I saw it through my own eyes.  My husband was in the Army National Guard.  That day would be the beginning of many nights wondering, worrying if he would be called war.  Enduring the early morning phone calls from his unit to be ready, today just might be the day.  I know now there were several times he waited in line at Fort Riley to leave right then.  Only to be passed over, those around him chosen.  I think we all struggled with the call to action and a call to be safe.  You want to do something but at the same time hold on to your family with all your might. 

Life changed for us.  Like so many.  I don't know why but I have always felt somehow personally part of that day.  I try to take things slower, hug my kids longer and harder, don't sweat the small stuff.  It is hard to do.  We live in a world that moves so fast and those around you don't always appreciate a slower pace.  It is hard to brush off the little things that happen during the day.  It is hard to only worry about those things that can be changed and cope with those that can't.  I am not as tough as I once was.  More quiet.  Less opinionated.  More accepting.  I see significance in the rolling hills of the prairie, a dad playing with his child at the park, my dog placing her head on my foot.  Important things.

It has been 10 years since 9/11 but the day never seems to get easier to get through.  The following is how I saw the events of today, 10 years later.  The memorials are beautiful and perfect and I hope to visit them one day.  We should all visit them one day. 


On This Day

On This Day, the breeze blows sweetly through a field of flowers
Grace bobbing in the wind

On This Day, the bells ring
Echoing through the emptiness

On This Day, fingertips trace a line
A line that makes a name, a name that was a life

On This Day, a voice speaks
Of a father, mother, brother, sister, wife, husband, partner, friend

On This Day, tears still fall
Welling up in the depths of lives moving on

On This Day, the silence is the same
A quiet that envelopes the heart

Addiction

I have a small problem.  I have been hiding this for a little while.  I think it is time for me to man up and admit I have an addiction.  An addiction to watching Adam Richman eat and eat and eat.  I can't stop watching Man v. Food on the Travel Channel!  Adam Richman travels all across the country eating in every recommended hometown restaurant he can find.  Warning: Don't watch this show if you are hungry or about to go to the grocery store.  Not only does he eat some of the yummiest looking food on the planet, but he participates in whatever eating contest the restaurant has.  Nothing is too big, too hot or too fried.  He wants his picture on that wall.  This show isn't for someone who likes to eat like a rabbit.  Mind you, I don't know of anyone who eats like this but man is it entertaining.  I have watched him cook a dish so spicy that they had to wear gas masks.  He once dug into a hamburger so big you couldn't see his head behind it when he took a bite.  Tonight he polished off a 48oz. steak in less than 20 minutes and lived to tell about it.  Not only is his eating entertaining but the guy is downright funny.  His witty comments crack me up and I need a good laugh.  I am now getting my husband hooked.  Although it just makes him want to eat.  My food budget may have to be increased if I keep this up.  Have a minute?  Check the show out.  I promise you won't be disappointed.  I will also promise that you will say at least 10 times during the show, "He cannot possibly eat all that."  Sit back, relax, watch and just say a little prayer that you don't have his cholesterol numbers.

Travel Channel Man V. Food

Wyatt's First Day of Preschool!

Wyatt, his dad and I have been talking about this day for quite a while.  New things make him a bit nervous and so we wanted him to be fully prepared for the big first day of preschool.  We read the book Llama Llama Misses Mama a lot.  It is perfect for those headed off to school and explains the process and goes through the emotions a little one feels when their mom and dad leave them at school.  We took him school shopping and let him pick out his backpack.  We talked about all the fun he was going to have.  Pointed out his school when we drove by.  A week before his first day we met his teacher, Mr Relph, and he got to peruse his classroom.  Well, today was the day.  He picked out what he wanted to wear.  A KSU football jersey (of course!), his "comfy" shorts and his "fast" shoes.

He had the biggest smile on his face!  Walking into the school, he slowed his pace a bit but kept going.  He hung his backpack up in the room and grabbed my hand.  He stood behind me a bit, peeking at everything and everyone, including the kiddo who was screaming like crazy, and walked with me to find his chair.  He sat rather tentatively and I handed him a blue crayon and the paper in front of him that said This Is What I Colored On My First Day Of Preschool and he was off.

I told him I would see him later and he said "Okay".  Still coloring.  So I told him Dad and I were leaving and I would see him after school by the flag pole and he said "Okay, Bye Mom!"  Never looked up.  It was that easy.  Piece of cake!

When I went to pick him up, the class was on the playground so I hid next to the school in the shade and watched them play for a bit.  So cute.  15 little 3 year olds running around, climbing, jumping.  Loving life.  They got their backpacks and walked, holding hands up to the flag poles where all the moms waited with hugs.  He was so excited and even told me he didn't cry at all.  Ahh.  My big boy.  So Thursday, we do it again and something tells me he has this down.  Mrs. Relph said he was so good, helped pick up things and was a great friend to all the kids.  Music to a Mamas ears!  Happy first day of school buddy!

Deetda

I think when grandparents find out they have a grandchild on the way, they fantasize just a little bit about what the little one will call them.  Grandma probably does this moreso than Grandpa but just the same, I think they all do it.  Unfortunately, I don't think they have much control over it sometimes.  Somehow, my son has named my Dad (his Grandpa Kemper), Deetda.  Yep, Deetda.  He called him this from the get-go and and I think it is adorable.  Totally fun, just like their relationship. 

The minute these two see each other it is on.  The laughter, the giggling uncontrollably, the craziness, the trouble.  Anything Deetda does is the funniest thing on the planet to Wyatt.  I have literally seen the kid fall over he is laughing so hard.  They just have a plain good time.

When Deetda is around, Wyatt is on point.  Nothing gets left undone.  If it is to eat, they eat it.  If it is to play with, let them play.  Two peas in a pod!  I think it is so special the relationship they have.  You can't have too much silly in your life!  My Dad may wish Wyatt had a different name for him but I think it totally fits.  Any Wyatt wouldn't want it any other way.

Garden Time

I have always wanted a nice big garden.  My Mom planted one every year when I was growing up.  Not a small garden but a big garden that fed us for a year.  We had corn, tomatoes, rhubarb, zucchini, strawberries, beans, peas, asparagus, peppers, onions, carrots and oh boy I know I am missing something.  Mom would can and freeze everything so we would have good food to eat all winter.  I loved it.  I loved being able to eat strawberries straight out of the garden.  I have an intense love of sweet corn. On the cob or off, I could eat it every day.

My garden, on the other hand, leaves something to be desired.  I do not.  Let me repeat this.  I do not have a great thumb.  If it goes into the ground on my property, it will probably die.  Granted, with two little kids I find it hard to get the time to tend the plants but I guess I try.  I also now live in a place with clay soil.  If you have never tried to grow anything in clay soil, count your blessings.  It is NOT conducive to growing plants.  Weeds love it, plants no.  Regardless, my Mom and son planted a garden this year while I tended my new baby girl.  They planted beans, zucchini, tomatoes and later on onions.

Wyatt got his little scoop and rake out and Grandma helped him dig the holes and get the seeds or plants in the ground safely.  Wyatt doesn't like to get his hands dirty but he had a good time!

The soil looks not too bad in this picture but don't let it fool you.  It is a thin layer I brought in to help break up the clay.  Our Summer has been almost the hottest yet.  We are one day away from setting a record here for the most days over 100 degrees so you can imagine what my garden looks like.  The only thing I was able to save from the moles, grasshoppers, rabbits and heat were the tomatoes.  The weather has given us somewhat of a break lately and they are finally getting some blooms.

 One day maybe I will have a big beautiful garden like my Mom's.  In the meantime I am going to have to settle for small and efficient!  My strawberries I planted two years ago are blooming again since it has cooled down a bit and next Summer I think they are going to be great.  Maybe my tomatoes will grow bigger than the size of a golf ball.  But regardless of my poor attempts, my son (and later on my daughter) will know where their food comes from and with any luck, one of them will get a green thumb from their Grandma!

3rd Annual Kemper Family Farm Weekend

The Kempers

There are some things that will never change for me.  I love my family, I love where I come from and I love my Grandma Dolly.  Three years ago with the birth of my son I realized the importance of family.  I wanted him to know his cousins. First, second, third and so on.  I wanted him to know his great aunts and uncles and his only living great grandparent.  And I wanted them to know him.  So began the annual Kemper Family Farm Weekend.  For three years, those of us in the family tree under John and Dolly (Viola) Kemper get together at the family farm.  We have a project or two to complete.  The first year we painted Grandma's house, the next year her garage and this year we did yard work and washed windows and cupboards in her house.  It is a way for us to show appreciation for how much she means to us by brightening up her little corner of the world.  The best part?  Spending time with each other.  We laugh, tell stories, eat and reconnect after a year of busy lives.  This year we were so blessed to have the largest group yet.  There were six little kids (5 boys and 1 girl) ages 3 and 4!  Wow were they fun to watch!  It brought back so many memories of being little on the farm and playing with the cousins. 

Friday night we all headed out to the Logan Lake for pizza and smores.  Uncle Marc and Aunt Tam brought the Ranger and 4 wheeler to give rides and the kids tried to skip rocks on the lake.  Everyone stayed to watch the sun set.  Boy were those smores good!

Saturday we were up bright and early.  Homemade cinnamon rolls and cherry bars (cherries courtesy of Grandma Kemper's trees) were for breakfast.  Then we started in on the yard and housework.  Even the little kiddos got involved!

The grandkids were in charge of lunch and we had grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and brats and lots of yummy sides and desserts.  After lunch everyone either headed for a nap, to visit or to cool off in the city pool.  Dinner that night was at the church hall.  Aunt Tam and Rhea fried up the best fried chicken you can imagine.  Mom made the mashed potatoes and holy cow were we all stuffed when we left!

Frying chicken!!!!!

Mom cooking in the church kitchen

It was such a great time and I am grateful to everyone who could make it back.  I am bound and determined that this is one family who will not lose sight of the importance of each other.  My kids will remember just like I do, the farm and all the fun had there.  And I hope that Grandma Kemper enjoys having her kids, grandkids and great grandkids around her, even if it is just for a weekend.  Oh and just one more thing that will never change for me.... my memories!

Best Buddies

I am not sure exactly when it happened.  When they clicked.  But they did and there was no stopping them!  Wyatt and Lunden are together the peanut butter and jelly in a sandwich, the icing on a cake, butter on your popcorn.  These two can spend hours together and never get tired of each other.  They play trains and cars.  They like to sit next to each other in their strollers at exercise class just so they can show each other what they brought that day to play with and do a little swapping.  They are the kind of friends that know what the other one is thinking.  They can get each other into trouble faster than you can imagine.  One is into the mischief and the other laughs encouragement.  They are quite the pair!

When life keeps them apart for too long, they let us Mom's know they miss each other.  Get that playdate scheduled please!  When you see them together, they are like brothers.  I can only imagine how they will be when they get older.  I will be calling Lunden's parents looking for Wyatt and they will be calling us.  We may have to put beepers on their ankles to keep track of them!

They have had such a good time together in their short little lives and it is going to be so neat to see them grow up together.  I hope they always treat each other with respect and a pat on the back.  You just can't do without a best friend in your life and these two have been lucky enough to find one already!