THE HANDPRINTS ARE GETTING HIGHER....

There was a time in my life when little kids finger and hand prints on my glass door would send me over the edge.  They still make me run and get the Windex bottle but tonight as I cleaned hand prints from the glass door, all I could think about was how the handprints are so much higher now.  I smiled as I knew the higher of the two I was wiping away were Raelynn's and the lower Cooper's but I also was a little sad because they are both getting so much bigger.  There are many things that are also exciting about them growing up but it just left me a little sad to know one day I wouldn't have to bend over at all to wipe off the hand prints........

So I got a little distracted last week and dropped the healthy lunch updates but continued to pack them.  I am actually getting really good at it and my grocery shopping is improving to with much better choices on foods to pack.  Each day the kids seemed to like their lunch a little better.  However, on Thursday Raelynn begged for one of our "old no so good for you lunches".  (Her words exactly) So I broke down and packed a cinnamon and sugar sandwich and yogurt.

The kids continue to bring much laughter to Terry and I.  On Tuesday night after I picked the kids up we were driving home.  A song came on the radio that I really liked.  I started singing.  Coop immediately says, "Oh Brother!"  Raelynn followed with, "Really Mom, that's just painful!"  I told them that they should be loving and encouraging of my singing just like I love and encourage them to do things.  Raelynn said, "Yea, well we love you but you singing, well that's just wrong!"  I had to agree with them so I just let it go from there.

Thursday was another proud parenting moment for me.  We arrived at school and as we set in the gym waiting for the kids to arrive Raelynn opens here homework folder and immediately is panic stricken because her homework was missing.  She immediately looks up and says, "Really Mom, it's homework not clutter!  You threw it away didn't you?"  Because there was the possibility I did, I said, "I may have."  Raelynn looks straight at me and says, "then you go tell Mrs. Mitchell you're a clean freak and that I did do my homework!"  Of course I did and I think she was quite amused about it.  We always look over the work in Raelynn's homework folder together every night but that night we had gotten home late and everyone was tired and I didn't get around to looking through it until late.  It seemed so cluttered so I cleaned out everything that looked complete.  I guess I forgot that I should also check to make sure it had been checked.  I told Raelynn this is how we learn by making mistakes.  I am sure she thinks I should probably know about everything by now considering the amount of mistakes I make!

Coop is such a sweet but ornery boy.  This because more apparant every day.  This past week Coop got in trouble andI don't even remember why now but I told him he lost his TV privilege for the night.  He looks at me not at all concerned and says, "Ok but please don't take my bedtime story."  I think he is too smart because he knows I would never take reading away from them.  His intuition an cuteness terrifies me!  Today he went to a birthday party.  I dropped him off and then ran some errands.  When I returned another parent couldn't wait to tell me what my sweet boy had said while I was gone.  I guess her son and Coop were playing and they started running around.  She stopped her son and told him not to run.  Coop looks at her son and says, "My Mom's not here so I can do whatever I want!"  After we got home from the party I questioned him about it.  He says with this adorable little ornery smile, "Yes I said that and I am guessing I shouldn't have?"  Now it is really hard to lecture a smarty pants like that without cracking up.  I managed to get the lecture out and am hopefully that he listened to at least some of it.

October is here in just one more day.  Fall is moving in all around us.  I will miss summer and all the fun adventures we had.  I have to learn to love winter so we can find some fun in it as well because spring is so far away.

DAY 2 OF HEALTHIER LUNCHES.....

Today, surprisingly, was a better success than I expected.  Today I only made lunch for Raelynn.  The menu called for sticky rice balls with peas, pineapple chunks and raisins.  Well my rice was not sticky enough to make balls so after an hour of trying to figure out how to make it sticky, I just decided to send rice with peas that were lightly salted and peppered.  When I picked her up tonight and asked the dreaded question, "how did you like your lunch today?" I was pleasantly surprised with her response, "It was awesome!"

 Now I know when to leave well enough alone but Oh No I couldn't stop,

"You liked the rice?"

"Yea it was goooood."

"I am so glad you liked it, see eating healthier lunches can be good."

This is when things start to take a turn......

"Yea, but just because Parent's Magazine tells you to give us raisins doesn't mean you should when you know your daughter doesn't like them. The magazine doesn't know that but you do!  Compromise a little Mom, Compromise!"

All I could reply was, "Well I'm glad you liked the rice."

Maybe Day 3?

DAY 1 OF HEALTHIER LUNCHES.....

So disgusted by the lunches I was packing the kids everyday, I decided to do some research and find healthier lunches to pack.  I have asked my kids to approach this with and open mind and try everything.  They are somewhat on board.  This weekend I planned the weeks lunches just as I do our dinners and then went to the store to make sure we were ready.  I got my lunch menu from Parents Magazine so it was designed to be appealing to kids.  Today I was actually a little nervous because I was pretty sure they were not going to like what was packed.  Today's menu was half a PB and banana sandwich on wheat bread, yogurt and cherry tomatoes.  When I picked Coop up I asked him right away how his lunch was.  He said good at first but my question must have not fully sank in because before I could go on satisfied that my first day was a success he said, "Oh I DO NOT like those little tomatoes!"   The dramatic way he said it just left me laughing.  Then when I picked Raelynn up I asked her too how she liked her lunch.  Her response, "Just FYI Mom, I do not like bananas!  I don't know how you missed this!"  So after Day 1 I have one that refuses cherry tomatoes and one that refuses anything with bananas.  I am feeling pretty confident that tomorrow will be even worse but at least I only have the Princess to please tomorrow as the Prince only has lunch at school on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays!

Well everyone is sound asleep and it is entirely too quiet.  I have no idea why I don't just go to bed but of course I am here wide awake thinking.  That could be the problem, sometimes there are just way too many thoughts to sleep.....

Raelynn has been at the State Fair with Aunt Bonnie since Wednesday and just got home today.  It was so great to have her back.  Everything around here is just too "easy" when she is not here.  I feel like things are just off a little when she is gone but she had a fantastic time as always.  She has a little friend she sees each year why she is there and they are just two peas in a pod from what I understand.  I love that she ends her horse season with this trip, it always gets her ready for next year.  When I put her to bed tonight she said, "in just 2 more years I will get to try to qualify for the State Fair.  I am going to try so hard."  I love her passion for horses.

Coop misses his sister greatly why she was gone.  They were so cute tonight telling each other good night.  They were all smiles and hugging on each other.  I asked Raelynn if she missed him why he was gone and she said with a giggle, "yea I miss that kid!"  Coop told me a couple times this week he wished Sissy would get home soon.  Coop had a special day on Friday though, he and Aunt Carol spent Friday afternoon at the KU Natural History Museum.  Coop didn't have daycare Friday afternoon and Carol had the day off so she agreed to entertain Coop for the afternoon.  It was an awesome opportunity because the kids don't get much opportunity to spend time with her.  They both had a great time.  It was so cute.  I was really grateful that she was able to keep him but even more grateful that he had the opportunity to spend quality time with her.  I love the amount of family times both kids get.

Coop had a great morning playing soccer and his buddy, Dallas, came to watch.  Coop played great and I think was extra excited to see Dallas there.  Remember Dallas was the amazing teen that raised and donated money to Cooper's Cause after finding $300 in a local parking lot.  His Mom is so amazingly sweet and it was great to see them again!

Tomorrow Raelynn has a cheer clinic which of course she is super excited for and then she will perform at the half time of the Free State Game on Friday.  Besides that, we have the Cooper's Cause Run on Saturday.  This week will be filled with trying to make sure everything is ready for the race.  My email account server is down and has been since the 11th so I am starting to get a little stressed for the race!  I know it will all come together but that just could be what is keeping me awake.  Anyway, just another week ahead :)

Good night (I hope) !

THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE SHOULD ONLY HAVE A 4 DAY WORK WEEK....

Today was such an awesome day and exactly why in my perfect world we would only work 4 days a week and have 3 off!  I know, but it's healthy to dream right?  Today was one of those days that went by way to fast but we are all exhausted all the same.  I started the morning out at 7am helping with the Run to Free 5K.  They had a successful day raising money to help stop human trafficking.  After that I headed home to make breakfast for the kids.  Coop had Kaden spend the night so I had 3 hungry faces to feed.  When I got home they were all still asleep which was awesome that I was home when they woke.  I made muffins and smoothies the perfect breakfast.  Once Kaden left, I headed out for a run myself.  After that the kids and I went on a bike ride which included a little stop at a friends house for a dip in the pool.  We got home around 1:30pm for dinner and then a little TV and rest.  Unfortunately that didn't last long and Raelynn and Cooper were ready to bake.  We knocked out 2 birthday cakes and some cookies.  One birthday cake was for friends and the other was for us because we really wanted some birthday cake.

We finally got around to picking up the house and then Raelynn received a last minute invite to go to the lake for a swim and cookout.  After she left Coop and I headed out to help Terry stain the deck.

It all was fantastic just to be doing things with the kids without a long list of "have to's" or time commitments.  I really hated to see the day end.

Our whole weekend was filled with fun.  Saturday Karli came over and we did laundry and cleaned.  Then we headed to Topeka to see her new apartment and then met Terry's family out for dinner to celebrate his Dad's Birthday.  My Mom came up so after dinner we headed to Steph's house to visit.  We got home pretty late on Saturday and I let the kids sleep in on Sunday.  After church we went back to Topeka to see "The Odd Life of Timothy Green" which was a lot of fun.  I had not been to a movie for ages!  The rest of Sunday was spent preparing for Coop's sleep over with Kaden.  Once he arrived it was on the go fun until they finally crashed in a Tent/Fort in Raelynn's Room.  It is always great to have Kaden over and even better for me to see Kelly.  I miss them greatly and am so happy they make it back to visit.  We can't wait to visit them!

Last week was filled with meetings after work.  I had a meeting every night except Friday.  I can tell my kids are getting older because even though we had some late nights and not much Mommy time, they were great.  I catch myself looking at them often and just being amazed by how "old" they are getting.  It truly tugs at my heart.  I know I will miss them being small but it is also awesome when you can lay on a bed and have discussions about things like politics with your 7 year old.  Yep, that's right, on Thursday night while I was watching the RNC I hear Raelynn call for me.  When I went back to see why she was still awake, I was met with, "Mom, why does Mitt Romney not like President Obama?"  Our conversation continued until she was asking me if Mitt Romney became president if Obama Care would go away because she always wants Coop to be able to have health insurance.  And yes, she is only 7!  I am convinced we may have a politician on our hands.  She is so hit or miss though, some days she shows no interest and then sometimes she seems to know more about it than I do.  Anyway, I am more in love with the two of them each and every day!!!

Coop at his school's Park Day.  He went with Aunt Steph and one of the parent's is a police officer and had her car there!  Too fun, sorry I missed it :(

Coop ready to cheer on his buddy Dallas at his first game at FSHS!

The kids are out of school again tomorrow but it is back to work for Terry and I.  I vow to continue enjoying every minute of every day and remember that every day with my family is the best day ever!!!