I MADE IT TO THE WEEKEND....

Week's like last week I am pretty sure God gives me so I know that our usual chaos is not so bad!  I thought I would never see Friday!  Fortunately Friday did come and so far my Saturday has been pretty productive.  Last week started with Coop's first day of Pre-K.  He was sooooo excited and sooooo cute!  Coop loves school and his friends and he has been very annoyed by the fact that Raelynn has been in school since last Wednesday but he couldn't go until Monday.  So Monday morning we started the routine we will keep until next summer which I love.  I am all about routine and I feel a lot less stress with things are structured.  The morning went fine and Terry and I were both able to be with him on his first day.  It is always a staggered schedule the first day and he only attended for 45 minutes but it was enough for us to know he is going to do great.

Besides school, Coop also gets to do Lunch Bunch which is just an extension to preschool.  He wanted to do this last year but we never did.  So this year we enrolled him for Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  Wednesday was his first day and as you can see he was very proud of having a lunch box.  I wasn't able to be there but Terry knows how much this stuff means to me so he snaps some pics and let Coop call me when he picked him up.  Raelynn was also very excited about Coop taking his lunch and she packed the entire lunch the night before and enclosed a note just like I do for her.  She cut a heart out of paper and wrote to him on it.  It was too cute.  I have these pens that you can write with and the "ink" is edible.  I write messages on their sandwiches and stuff.  Well Raelynn did this for Coop but he didn't think he could eat it so he took the bread off where the writing was and just ate the rest.  This gave Raelynn and I a good laugh on Wednesday night.  I asked Coop if he liked Sissy's note and he looked right at me and said......"How do I know, I can't read!"  I told him his teacher's could read it to him and that Sis's had her teacher's read all of her notes until she learned to read.  Coop looked at me like I had lost my mind and said, "I DO NOT THINK THAT IS A GOOD IDEA! I will save them and you can read them to me when you pick me up."  I asked him why his teacher couldn't read them and he said, "They read a lot why we are there, I don't think they would want to read my notes too."  It was all pretty funny but I am still sending a note everyday and maybe he will decide he wants to have it read to him.  :)

This week Tom is on vacation which always makes work a little busier but on Monday my coworker gets a call around 1 pm and her house was on Fire.  It was crazy scary and of course she rushed home.  Luckily  she has a security system which notified the fire department so the fire was contained to her kitchen.  There was of course a mess throughout the house though.  No one was home and her animals were safe so all in all things were ok but she did not return to work until Thursday which made the rest of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday BUSY!  It was no problem her being off work after what had happened but we just have a lot to take care of for one person on top of that figuring out how to get Coop from preschool to Mary Beth's in the middle of the day because Terry was alone at his office much of the time too and when he wasn't he was in KC.  We got everything worked out of course until Wednesday about 3pm I get a text and Raelynn is sick.  I knew this was going to happen because Wednesday morning she felt awful.  She has HORRIBLE allergies and they just came on so suddenly we weren't prepared.  I called the teacher that text me and she said she was just miserable but could stay there until I could get there considering she wasn't contagious.  Terry of course was alone at his office too.  I just laughed because this is just how things go. We managed to get her picked up and she finished her day watching movies on my iPad why I worked.  As soon as I got off work I got her some allergy medicine and headed home.  She slept from 6:30 all the way to the next morning.  The medicine had kicked in and although she still sounds nasally she was soooo much better.  Anyway, the rest of the week was just as crazy and I was thrilled to see Friday arrive.  I am even down to just one stack on my desk at work!  Earlier in the week the kids and I were comparing notes after work one day about our days.  I was telling the kids how crazy my day was and Raelynn said, "It's ok Mom at least your day started and ended with me and Cooper, everything else is just life."  It was so grown up and I was so amazed at her intellect.  She ends her little pep talk with, "and besides you wore super cute shoes today!"  It was so cute and so funny and so Raelynn!  I love that girl.

Coop also started his Future Legends Soccer League this week.  He loves soccer and is so excited to be practicing and playing games twice a week now!  I love it as well.  Unfortunately today his games got rained out but I guess we needed the rain too.  We are headed to a rodeo tonight and that should be interesting.  Next week is full of meetings but hopefully will be a little less stressful than the past week. Whatever may happen though, Raelynn is right, everyday starts and ends with them and it can't get better than that!

RAELYNN'S FIRST DAY OF 2ND GRADE....

The first day of 2nd Grade was a great success.  When I asked Raelynn how her first day was her response was, "AWESOOOOME!"  I love to hear that!  She has a wonderful teacher again this year, Mrs. Mitchell.

Monday night we went to her school's Ice Cream Social where the kids get to meet their new teachers and find out who is in their class.  It was crazy as we have only been there 2 years but it was like a family reunion.  It was so fun seeing everyone and just talking.  I cannot believe how much her school has became part of our lives.  It is fantastic.  Raelynn loves her class and each class got a new smart board.  This thing is amazing!  It is like a giant computer screen that the kids can use and is interactive.  Anyway, it is an amazing addition to each of the classrooms and a big hit with Raelynn. 

Today was my first morning back reading to the kids before school starts.  I volunteered to do this last year and it has been very rewarding.  I read from 7:30am to 8am to K-3rd Grade.  It was a little hectic this morning because of all the new Kindergarten students but we managed and I saw a lot of familiar faces which again was great.  I really enjoy doing this!

 With all of the school excitement, Coop is very frustrated every  morning he wakes up because he does not start school until Monday and cannot understand why he doesn't get to go to school.  It is really quite cute but I do feel bad for him.  This morning he was hard to get out of bed but once he did wake up enough to get dressed he asked if today was his first day of school.  I told him no not until Monday.  He stuck out his lip and said he wanted to go with Sissy.  I laughed and promised him he would get plenty of school time and not to rush it.  He is just soooo excited and LOVES school.  We are so lucky to have 2 kids who love school :)

VACATION ENDING WITH A BANG.....

Well my vacation is officially over and although it went entirely too quickly it will be nice to get back to a little routine and structure around here.  I have found myself getting a little lazy.  We have ended the vacation with a bang however.  Raelynn had her friend birthday party today.  Yes it is a month late but she was set on having it at the Three Sister's Inn and they were booked until today so she chose to wait.  The Three Sister's Inn is a Bed and Breakfast that hosts tea parties for Birthday Parties.  In addition, they have an attic room that has this little walk in closet or rather room that is full of dress up clothes, shoes, make up, jewelry and any other thing a 7 year old could want.  Raelynn and 5 of her friends traveled to The Three Sister's Inn and then back to our house for a sleep over.

Things went relatively well and the vacuum has been run and the floors swept and the girls are at least in Raelynn's room and the lights are out.  There is no sign however that they will be asleep anytime soon.  Coop got away from the chaos with a sleep over with Aunt Steph and Uncle Cody's.  As Terry said, Coop got the best end of the deal :)

Friday we had a family fun day!  We all headed to Schlitterbahn and had a great time.  Out of all the blistering hot days we have had this summer, we chose to go on a relatively cool day.  Coop and I spent half the day freezing but it was still a good time.  It was just fun spending the day together as a family!

This past week has been great just being with the kids.  I have amazing kids and I am always amazed at the conversations we have.  One day this past week, out of the blue, Raelynn says, "Mom sometimes when you take Coop to the hospital I am scared....well you know....."  "You are scared of what?" I asked her.  "I am scared he won't come back" she replied.  "I know, so are Daddy and and I but God has a plan and if he decides he needs Cooper with him more than here on Earth with us, we have to have faith that it is for the best."  I explained.  Coop looks up from his lunch and says in his ornery funny voice, "Hey don't I have a say in this!" We all laugh and Raelynn said, "see I would miss that funny boy!"  This is pretty much how the whole week was.  Serious but filled with laughter.  Both Raelynn and Cooper are constant thinkers and they are so inquisitive. I appreciate their interest and they keep me on my toes.  Tonight when Coop called to tell me good night I almost started to cry because he is just so sweet and I LOVE his hugs at night.  There is something about age 4, they know enough to keep you thinking but they are still just so sweet and loving.  I wish I could capture this age forever!  I have to admit though I also like Raelynn at age 7.  We laugh like friends sometimes and I am always taken back by her maturity at times.  Regardless what age, these 2 are the best kids, friends, family anyone could ask for!

Next week all the fun school stuff starts.  Tomorrow morning it is OJ and Muffins by 7:30am for the teachers, ice cream social tomorrow night to meet your child's teacher.  Raelynn starts school on Wednesday and then parent's night at Coop's preschool on Thursday night.  All of that in time for Saturday where we have a horse show, 3 birthday parties and a graduation party.  Awe......you have to love this time of year!!!!

INTRODUCING HUNTER WAYNE.....

Vacation week has went by way too fast.  We had many big plans but got slightly distracted as my older sister had her baby!!!  Since I was on vacation we had the perfect opportunity to go visit him.  So after spending Monday running errands, getting school supplies and wrapping up doctor appointments we headed to Scott City on Tuesday.  Hunter Wayne was born Monday around 4:21pm and weighed albs 5oz and 20 inches long.  He is so adorably cute and snuggly.  Coop and Raelynn enjoyed seeing him as well.  Coop was so excited he was a boy and was so gently with him.  The kids did great holding him and I am sure he got a little spoiled while we were there.  Sherri and the family are doing good as well.  I cannot imagine going back to baby stage at this point and I am sure Sherri is feeling the adjustment too but just looking at him you know it is well worth it!

We are headed back to Lawrence now and then tomorrow we are headed to Schlitterbaun, a new water park in Kansas City. I hope the kids have a great time!  Then Raelynn's birthday party with her friends is scheduled for Sunday and then school starts on Wednesday.  It just seems this summer went by way too fast.  I just hope we made some memories that will last much longer!

WE MADE IT!!!

We actually survived the week without the kids!  Terry and I worked most of the week away but surprisingly it went fairly quickly.  Monday night I went to Kill Creek and did an open swim and then rode my bike 12 miles with some friends.  I am considering doing a Triathlon Sprint so I am getting a feel for it.  It was a lot of fun but my legs were pooped.  Tuesday night I treated myself to a pedicure while Terry golfed and Wednesday night we went out to eat.  Thursday night I got my hair cut and colored and before I knew it, it was Friday and time to pick up the kids!!!!  Mom and the kids came up to Steph's, who now just lives 30 minutes from us, yea! After work Terry and I headed that way to pick them up.  It was sooooo great to see them.  I missed them so much but I think they had a great time.  They got to go swimming, played with baby kittens and even went to a rock monument place.  They also had a craft day that appeared to get a little out of hand :)  I love that they had so much fun, it makes being without them all worth it.

Chandler and Raelynn on craft day!

Granny, Chandler, Raelynn and Coop

Coop LOVED this!

The Goddess!

Mom had told me yesterday morning that Coop had a blister on his finger and they did not know what had happened.  When we got to Steph's last night we were busy giving hugs and kisses and talking and didn't give much thought to his finger which had a band aid on it.  As we were eating dinner Granny asked Coop if his finger was hurting because he was holding it cautiously.  He said it was and I decided  I would take a look at it.  As I went to remove the band aid Coop started to cry.  Steph ended up cutting the band aid off and this is what we saw.....

I could not believe it.  The base of his finger was all red and swollen.  Terry and I decided to take him to the ER and good thing we did.  His finger was filled with infection.  They have no idea what it is but put him on an antibiotic.  They didn't want to drain it because they said it would horribly painful and the antibiotic should take it down.  We are just watching it and then will follow up with Dr. Kelley next week.  Only Cooper! :)

This morning I did he Red Dog Run for Boys and Girls Club and Raelynn is at her horse show.  Coop will have soccer soon and then over to Topeka we go.  Another fun filled weekend.  I am on vacation next week though and have the whole week with the kiddos!!!!  I am super excited!!!!