Kenny’s 8th birthday (with friends)

Kenny and his friend, Arden, had their birthday party together this year.  We went with a backyard movie theme, along with some baseball on the side, in case anyone got a little antsy.

We started off with baseball.

And then we did the cake and presents next since it was still light out.  Arden’s mom made the cutest popcorn cupcakes.  She used marshmallows (cut on the top) to look like the actual popcorn and then sprayed it with yellow food spray.  Then, she stuck a yellow Starburst on top to look like the butter.  They were really tasty too.  To keep with our movie theme, I found these popcorn party favor bags and we stuffed them with popcorn, movie candy and poppers and placed them around the cupcakes.

And then it was time for the movie and popcorn.  Anita rented a projector and speaker and we hung a drop cloth up to show the movie on.  Some of the boys left half-way through the movie and started playing baseball again and others sat and watched the whole thing.  We didn’t care, as long as they were having fun.

Happy (almost) 8th birthday, Kenny – I hope you had fun celebrating with your friends!

Thanksgiving 2010 in numbers

0:  Number of runs we participated in.  This is the first year in a long time that we haven’t done the Sprint 5K.  Eric worked until 6:30 that morning so we decided to pass on it this year.  He slept while the boys and I took it easy and watched the Macy’s parade.

2:  Number of Thanksgiving meals we ate.  One with Eric’s family and one with mine. 

10:  Number of people who went down to the Plaza lighting ceremony.  This was the boys’ first time to see it live.  We met my brothers and the Martins down there around 5:30, went and got hot chocolate at Scooter’s and then headed to where the stage was set up in time for the countdown, lights and fireworks.  Getting out of there afterwards was a pain in the butt but totally worth it. 

Me and my brothers (Mike and Billy)

The fam

Eric and Luke

Kenny

Here’s a video that I found on You Tube of the actual lighting.  It’s a big thing here in KC.

Additions to the mix

We went to Springfield to spend the day with my friend Annie and her family (specifically to meet her sweet little girl).  In the past ten years since college, Annie and I have added husbands - and now kids – to the mix.   

Camping – sort of

We had plans to go *camping with the Stewarts on Saturday but unfortunately the rain kept us home.  No worries though – we’re going to hopefully try it again this weekend with the Lilaks.

Here’s some pictures of our practice run on Friday.

*And just to be clear, I’m not a camper at all.  I can do one night but that’s it.

Annie’s baby shower

We had our baby shower for Annie on Saturday.  I still cannot believe that baby Maggie will be here in less than 3 weeks.

We’re Kansas

Kelly sent me an email today about one of the blogs she reads.  Aimee at Adventures and Pursuits is hosting the Great American Postcard Swap.  We’re going to be the Kansas family in the first group (as of right now there are three groups).  Isn’t that a cute idea?  If you’re interested, send Aimee an email or leave her a comment.

Like/Dislike

Cari did a post on her likes and dislikes that I liked and had to steal.

Like:  I purchased a new power cord for our computer today, which means we have access to the internet again. 

Dislike:  We’ve spent a ton of money on this computer in the past month.

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Like:  Eric and I beat the new Wii Super Mario Bros. game for the 2nd time, including every coin in every level, level 9 and Bowser twice (there are 2 different endings per game).  We even did it without continuing the 2nd time. 

Dislike:  That means we played the Wii way too much.

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Like:  We came in 7th out of 26 teams at our church’s annual trivia night.  I can’t wait for next year!  What could be better than family, friends, a mexican buffet, drinks (beer and margaritas) and trivia for only $15/person?

Dislike:  The category on Jimmy Buffett and House.  We got 0/10 questions right on the Jimmy Buffett one and only 5 right on the House one. 

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Like:  KU beat K-State on Saturday night and (if that wasn’t good enough) is ranked #1 again. 

Dislike:  Absolutely nothing.  Everything is right in the world in terms of college basketball.

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Like:  Luke’s still doing good in the potty training department (except for dislike listed below).

Dislike:  He’s still only going #2 in his diaper in the morning before we get up or during nap time.

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Like:  Eric’s work is having a promotional process for a new Sergeant.  I’ll be crossing every finger possible until the process is over.  

Dislike:  This process will be going on during March and April, which is when Eric was hoping to go to Spain to see his sister.  That won’t be happening now.

Elementary/middle/high school box

You wouldn’t believe the things I found when I went through my elementary/middle/high school box.  Here are just a few of the things that I came across:  

- Yearbooks and report cards galore.

- Letters from my Grandpa Bill and Grandma Irene, who have both passed away.  I’m not a crier but they had me bawling on the hallway floor.  Someday I’ll have to scan and post some of them.

- Every card that I received from birth.  Or that’s at least what it looks like.

- Every swimming ribbon that I ever won.  I kind of understand the 1st, 2nd and maybe even 3rd place ribbons, but the 8th place ones, what’s the point?

- A few notes that my friends and I passed to each other in high school.  Poor Mr. Adkins had to deal with Kelley, Michelle and I passing notes like these to each other the entire 11th grade year. 

- Letters from friends.  Nicole, that includes you.  I have yet to go through those letters to see what they say but I’m 100% sure that they will make me laugh. 

I wonder how much Nicole would pay me NOT to post some of those letters:)

The magnolia queen

It’s been just a little bit crazy here:

- Friday:  My boss emailed me around noon and asked if we had staff scheduled for the after hours rental that night.  My response was something along the lines of “tell me your kidding because I don’t know anything about it.”  Whoever schedules things forgot to pass this on.  Luckily, he was able to find enough staff (I wasn’t up there yet) and I stayed late.  I ended up getting home around 11:50.  I got into bed and suddenly couldn’t remember if I had turned something that needed to be on on or not.  I drove back to work (at which point it was around 12:15 in the morning) only to find out that I had turned it on earlier.  Oh well.  If I hadn’t checked, I would have been wondering all night.    

- Saturday:  Eric was sweet enough to let me sleep in until around 9:30.  Then around dinnertime, we packed up the boys and dropped them off at my MIL’s  so they could spend the night while we went to a Mardi Gras mystery dinner party.  Have you guys ever done one of these?  I don’t know if it was because of the abundance of alcoholic beverages or if we just had a fun group, but we had a blast.  Eric and I were supposed to be the lawyers but I ended up taking over the Magnolia Queen role when my friend Tracey found out she wouldn’t make it to the party in time.  I didn’t want to buy anything for the party so I went through my box of elementary/junior/high school things and found my prom sash.  I wrote Magnolia Queen on the back of it and then borrowed my SIL’s tiara.  Our other friends had to dress up like chiefs, maids, trashy stepmoms, fiancées, jazz players and authors.  We all had to tell our stories throughout the night and then at the end, we had to guess who we thought the murderer was and why they did it.  Me and Jim (one of the hosts) were the only ones to get it right.   

- Sunday:  Slept until 8:30 (but could have slept for another two hours) and then went to get the boys.  We made a few stops on the way home to get a Christmas present, which means I only have three more presents to buy.   Kenny had swimming lessons in the afternoon and then I spent the rest of the day working on a photo book.  The photo book is finished but now I’m having a problem with the coupon that I have.  I have an email into the company and am just waiting for a reply. 

- Today:  I worked until 1:30 and then ran up to Kenny’s school to switch with Eric so he could go to work.  Funky Ma ma was playing up there at an assembly so Eric  had taken the kids up there so they could watch.  I love Kenny’s school but I wish they would hold assemblies in the morning when all the kids are there so we don’t have to make an extra trip.  Sometimes I feel like our lone half day kindergarten class gets forgotten.  Anyways, the kids had a great time watching Funky Ma ma and then Kenny went over to Arden’s house for a playdate while Luke and I went to the store to get cupcakes for Kenny’s half birthday tomorrow.  We picked Kenny up and then went home and worked on his poster for tomorrow too.  

I’m a little worn out now so tonight may have to be a breakfast for dinner night.

In pictures

My friend Brook met us in downtown Overland Park yesterday to take some fall pictures of the boys.  She takes amazing pictures so when she offered to do it (for free!), I immediately said yes.  She got some amazing pictures and I got to learn some of her photography tricks.  Thank you Brook!

Here’s a sneak peek of some of the pictures (she still has to touch them up).  You may even be seeing some of these on our Christmas card:   

It’s that time of the year again…

The Sprint Thanksgiving Day 5K is coming up.  Who’s in?  If we can get teams of 5 together, it’s only $18 per person if we enroll before the 12th.  Go here for more info on the race.

You can leave me a note on here or on my FB page. 

Runners so far -

Team #1 (team Saxton)

Me – registered

Eric – registered

Mike – registered

Anna – registered

Trey

Team #2 (team McCullough)

Amanda – registered

Jennifer – registered

Kari

Erika

Ryan

Note:  Crystal is going to run too if they come to KC for Thanksgiving.  She’ll just sign up the day of the race if they do.

Renee and her family is going to run too.  They registered together.

Baby essentials

Annie asked me what my baby must haves were.  Here’s a list of the things that I couldn’t have done without:

• boppy
• SwaddleMe blankets - these were life savers
• swing
• tons of pajamas for the first few months
• running stroller – you can borrow mine when Luke starts preschool next September (and honestly, you probably wouldn’t use it before then)

What would you say are/were your top essentials?  Help her out.

Bullet points

• Kenny had his last soccer game today.  I really can’t say that I mind too much, considering how cold it has been lately.  We’re having lunch with the team tomorrow and then we’ll all go our separate ways.
• Kenny starts basketball at the end of November.  He’s doing it with his friend J.T. (from preschool) for sure and hopefully his other friend Arden (from preschool and kindergarten).  We haven’t seen J.T.’s family as much since school started so we figured that this would be a great way to get the boys back together.
• Kenny got his first report card on Friday and it was wonderful.  I could do a whole post on just his first quarter at school.
• Take a look at Mac’s face in the picture below.  The entire right side of his face and his nose are completely swollen.  Thank goodness Eric’s friend Ben is a vet.  He told us that Mac probably either ate something he shouldn’t have or was bitten by a snake or insect.  We’ve never seen a snake in our yard so we’re thinking that he probably either ate some of the berries that are on the tree that hangs over into our yard or was bitten by some weird bug.  Ben told us to give him Benadryl and to keep an eye on him for the next 2 days.  I love not having to pay for a vet to look at him, at least for now (knock on wood). 

It’s a girl

Annie and Heath found out yesterday that they’re having a girl.  I knew it.  Congratulations!

College pictures

A few sorority sisters and I have been talking about getting together for a freshman year reunion.  I dug out these pictures today and posted them on FB in honor of our future get together.  They still make me laugh. 

Me and Crissi…sadly she lives in St. Louis now.

Me, Kelly, Sharmilla, Andrea, Amanda

Deb Ball – yes, we really were supposed to find the most horrible dress ever and wear it.  Mine looked like it had previously belonged to a Latino working girl so that’s why I had the money sticking out the top of it.  Horrible.

Me and Crissi again. 

Molly and Me

Crissi, Gretchen and Me

Crissi and Me – seriously, doesn’t everybody have a picture in this pose?

Varner, Crissi, Me and Brandi at Phi Psi

Gretchen and Me after swimming in Anchor Splash (our philanthropy)

Emily, Andrea, Angela, Me, Crissi, Ashley, Amanda and Lynn at the Crossing, our favorite bar.

Our family – my pledge mom, Gretchen, my pledge daughter, Kelley and Me

This picture is absolutely horrible of me but I just love it.  Crissi and I loved the Seinfeld episode where Elaine dances.  If you haven’t seen it, go here (she starts dancing around the 25 second mark).  This was our version of it. 

At some point I’ll have to get out the ones from the rest of sophomore year.  I just wish my scanner wasn’t such a pain to use.

San Diego – day 5 (last one, I promise)

Day 5 didn’t involve much except for:

1.  Me trying to talk Eric into moving out there

2.  Flying home to KC.  This flight did not go as well at first.  I have to start out by explaining that Luke’s feet were touching the back of the seat in front of him because of the way his car seat fit in the actual seat.  So, our plane took off and Luke started to have a little tantrum.  We were barely up in the air (everyone was still supposed to be sitting) when the lady in front of him sat forward and said loudly, “I need a drink.”  She then got up (hello, you’re not supposed to be up yet) to tell us that our child was kicking her seat and she wanted to change seats with Eric (but this wasn’t said in even a remotely nice way).  I’m sure Luke was pushing on her seat but seriously lady, give him more than 2 minutes, he’s only a baby.  Eric was nice and switched with her, which was way nicer than I would have been.  I know this is childish but there was another baby sitting in front of her and every time it cried I may have smiled a little.  Or maybe a lot.

Now for some random trip photos: 

Have you ever seen a dog in shoes?  Me neither.

Ali just loved Kenny.

San Diego – day 4

On Sunday, Steve took us to look at the helicopters, which made Kenny and Luke’s day.  Luke even cried when it was time to go.

After that, we headed out to La Jolla to go to the Birch Aquarium.  The kids had fun but I think we’ll skip it next time.  The one is Chicago was much, much better.

That night, Steve and Suzie watched the boys so Eric and I could go out on a date.  What they didn’t tell us was that they had already made reservations for us at The Prado and even got us a gift certificate for dinner.  Eric and I had a great time.  Thank you guys!

San Diego – day 3

Day 3 was all about Ali’s baptism. 

Eric and I were lucky enough to be her godparents.  I offered to buy Ali a baptismal gown but they already had one from Suzie’s side of the family that had been used since 1914.  So instead, I bought her a charm bracelet.  I put two charms on it, one with her name and birthday and one that was a cross, to symbolize the baptism.  I did this for our other god-daughter, Abby, and really liked it. 

After the baptism, they had a party at their house.  They lucked out because their next door neighbors were having a 25th anniversary party at the same time and hired a mariachi band and a deejay.  We had free music all night, which was great until we wanted to sleep. 

San Diego – day 2

We were up by 7:00 the next morning.  Legoland didn’t open until 10 so we went to the beach.  This was the first time that either boys had seen the ocean.  It was G.O.R.G.E.O.U.S.

The water was a little too cold to swim in so we just played on the beach and walked in the water.  At first, the boys were a little afraid of the waves but that passed quickly.   

I could have spent the entire day on the beach but we promised Kenny that we would go to Legoland so after a while, we headed over there. 

Legoland was fun but expensive.  There were a few rollercoasters but the majority of the rides were for small kids, which was perfect for us.  Eric and Kenny loved Miniland, where replicas of different cities and attractions were built out of Legos.  There was one of the Sydney Opera House that took 6 months for them to build.  Crazy. 

It started to sprinkle late in the afternoon so we decided that it was a good time to call it a day.  We then headed down to Chula Vista (which is just south of San Diego) to see our friends Steve and Suzie and our new god-daughter, Ali.  We grilled, toured their neighborhood (which included watching their dog do an obstacle course on the local playground) and hung out for the remainder of the night. 

It was definitely a busy but fun day.

More to come….

Spillin’ the beans

I am so excited that I can finally write about this….

One of my closest friends in the whole entire world is pregnant with her first child!  Annie and Heath, I’m so excited for you guys and cannot wait until March.

Congratulations!