Hutch

We ran down to Hutchinson, KS for a weekend so the boys could FINALLY go to the Cosmosphere.  We tried to go over Spring Break but the weather got really nasty and we had to postpone it.  We got into Hutch around 4:30 and decided to go to the Underground Salt Mine.  I have to tell you, I liked it better than the Cosmosphere.  They take you down 650 feet in an elevator and then you can walk the tour at your own pace.  Along the way, they have videos that you can watch.  They also have two fun rides.  One was a train that took you into the mines more and the other was a tram that did pretty much the same thing (but they were both fun).  I loved the dark elevator ride up and down.

They also store some of the costumes from movies there.  There aren’t a ton there.  The majority are kept close by.

We hit the Cosmosphere the next day, which was Eric’s favorite place on this trip.  We did the all day pass even though we knew we would only be there for four or so hours (we had tickets to an MMA fight in KC that night).  We did get a little bit of a discount since we had been to the Salt Mine the day before (just bring your receipt in).  There is a lot to look at.  A. Ton.  After we saw everything, we all went to see a planetarium show.  After that, Luke and Eric went to a movie and Kenny and I went to Dr. Goddard’s Lab.  Dr. G’s Lab was fantastic.  If you go to the Cosmosphere, make sure you go to it.

(Hurricane simulator)

Kenny’s favorite things – age 9

1. What is your favorite color? Scarlet.

2. What is your favorite toy?  Legos.

3. What is your favorite fruit?  Kiwi.

4. What is your favorite tv show?  Kick Buttowski.

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Chicken pot pie.

6. What is your favorite outfit?  Sporting KC jersey and comfortable blue shorts.

7. What is your favorite game?  Mario Kart DS.

8. What is your favorite snack?  Cinnamon almonds.

9. What is your favorite animal?  Monkey.

10. What is your favorite song?  My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark (Fall Out Boys).

11. What is your favorite book?  Big Nate.

12. Who is your best friend?  Arden, Harrison and J.T.

13. What is your favorite cereal? Honey Bunches of Oats.

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play soccer.

15. What is your favorite drink?  Milk.

16. What is your favorite holiday?  Christmas.

17. What do you like to take to bed with you?  Blanket.

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Oatmeal. 

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Pizza.

20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  Sporting KC player.

Previous years:  Kenny’s favorite things – age 7.

SKC

Kenny had a European soccer tournament last week so I put Luke in a Sporting KC one.  The funny thing was, we went to watch a SKC practice this week and were trying to figure out how to get to the practice fields.  The guy who gave us directions said, “Luke?  Luke M, right?”  He had been one of the coaches at the clinic and remembered Luke.

Loose Park

We went to the Loose Park Sprayground.  Luke and I tried to go earlier this week but it wasn’t open yet.  The boys are almost too old for it (sad!).

Pool pics 2013

Luke still isn’t tall enough to go off the high dive or slide.

Note to PV:  I think this is a really dumb rule.  He could have been going off them last summer if it was based on swimming skills.

Cousins

Luke and Kenny’s cousins were in town last week.  Eric’s mom is getting married in December so his sisters and their families came in town for her shower and (tame) bachelorette party.

July 4, 2013

We had a crazy fourth of July.

We went up to VillageFest in the morning, like we always do.  They had a new zip line ride that we hit first.  We had to wait in line for.ev.er.  Eventually, Kenny asked if he could go sit in the shade while I held his place in line (Luke didn’t weigh enough so he and Eric went on the train ride instead).  That should have been clue #1.  Finally, it was his turn to go and he seriously didn’t have any expression on his face the whole time.  Clue #2.  Then, we met back up with Eric and Luke and went to get new bike helmets from this wonderful organization called Head Strong for Jake.  Eric ran inside the police station to grab us some waters while the boys were getting their helmets fitted.  The nice woman who was helping us kept asking Kenny questions and he really wasn’t answering her that much.  Clue #3.  We were then walking towards the paramedic to have him double-check their helmets when Kenny started saying, “I want water, I want water, I want water.”  And then the poor boy started going down.  Luckily, I caught him and the paramedic picked him up and started taking him into the shade.  Eric had gotten stuck inside because another child had passed out but came out at this point.  He took Kenny and we all went inside to get him in the a/c and check his vitals.

The crazy thing was that it really wasn’t that hot out (mid-80s).  But, it was really hot waiting in that line.

We went home after that and spent the afternoon taking it easy inside and making sure he got a lot of Gatorade and water.

My parents came over that night and we had brats and hotdogs on the grill.  Then we lit some little tanks and smoke bombs.

We ended the night with fireworks at our favorite country club.  The boys had a prime spot on the golf course.  My kids will forever associate Tootsie Pop suckers with fireworks.  My mom started bringing them years ago and now they just expect it.

Note for me:  Fireworks start at 9:45.  We always go way too early:)

WLSL

I partnered up with the GWL for the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.  Basically, facilities all over 5 continents do the same swimming lesson at the same time to help make a Guinness World Record (and to promote water safety).  Afterwards, we were able to stay and play at the water park for the day.  It was a fun, fun day.

Happy 9th Birthday, Kenny!

Happy birthday to you, 

Happy birthday to you, 

Happy birthday, dear Kenny, 

Happy birthday to you.

I love you!

Spring 2013 sports

Soccer:  

Kenny and Luke both played outdoor soccer this spring.  It was such a weird season.  I swear it was either raining or snowing during the first half.  They both had great seasons.  Luke scored a ton of goals and Kenny is fantastic at defense.  He even scored a goal at the end of the season, which is harder to do when you’re a defender.

This was Kenny’s last season with the team that he had been with since kindergarten.  It disintegrated since many of the boys, Kenny included, were going competitive.  He went through tryouts this summer and, although it was a tough decision, we decided to leave his current league and move to the one that he played with over the winter.  We just love that they emphasize technique.  I’m the same way with my swimming lesson program; if you don’t have proper technique, you’re not going to swim to your full potential.

Baseball:

Kenny’s baseball team moved over to a different league this spring.  The season is a lot longer.  Games started in April and go through July.  This is their first year doing kid pitch and it was killing them at first.  I think they lost their first game 17-0.  Ouch.  Luckily, it’s getting much better.

Luke, the child who always hurts himself, fell at Kenny’s first game.  He was playing on the bleachers and just bit it.  He hit his cheekbone and had a huge black eye (while having a little black eye after hitting heads with a kid that was climbing up a slide while he was going down it).  It took forever to go away and his doctor said he might always have a little dimple on his cheek.  You can kind of see his black eye in some of his soccer pictures above (under his left eye).

Summer 2013 sport schedule

Kenny’s baseball:

Fri, April 19 @ 6:00pm

Tues, April 30 @ 8:00pm

Fri, May 10 @ 6:00pm

Sun, May 12 @ 1:00pm – going to soccer 

Fri, May 17 @ 8:00pm

Fri, May 24 @ 6:00pm

Tues, May 28 @ 8:30pm

Wed, May 29 @ 8:30pm

Thurs, June 6 @ 6:00pm  – going to soccer try outs

Sat, June 15 @ 1:00pm

Fri, June 21 @ 6:00pm

Sun, June 23 @ 1:00pm

Wed, July 3 @ 8:30pm

Sat, July 6 @ 3:30pm

Sun, July 7 @ 3:30pm

Thurs, July 11 @ 6:00pm

Luke’s t-ball:

Thurs, May 30 @ 7:10pm

Thurs, June 6 @ 7:10pm

Thurs, June 13 @ 7:10pm

Tues, June 18 @ 6:00pm

Thurs, June 20 @ 6:00pm

Tues, June 25 @ 6:00pm

Thurs, June 27 @ 7:10pm

Tues, July 9 @ 7:10pm

Thurs, July 11 @ 7:10pm

Text/email me for locations.

Last days of school 2013

Good-bye kindergarten and 3rd grade, hello 1st and 4th!

Kenny’s EL night

Each year in EL, the kids each pick a subject that they would like to learn more about.  Kenny picked architecture this year (I think in part for his love of Legos).  They did a big research project and then we got to see it in April.  

Spring 2013 sport schedule

Luke’s soccer

Sat, April 6 @ 1:30pm

Sun, April 14 @ noon

Sat, April 20 @ 1:30pm

Sat, April 27 @ 1:00pm

Sat, May 4 @ 11:45am

Sat, May 11 @ 2:15pm

Sat, May 18 @ 8:00am

Kenny’s soccer

Sat, March 30 @ 4:00pm – H

Sun, April 7 @ 3:45pm – H

Sun, April 14 @ 5:00pm – H

Sun, April 21 @ 5:00pm – H

Sat, April 27 @ 6:45pm – O

Sat, May 4 @ 8:30am – O

Sun, May 12 @ 1:15pm – H 

Sat, May 18 @ 3:45pm – H

Tournament:

Sat, May 25 @ 1:00pm

Sat, May 25 @ 9:15pm

Sun, May 26 @ 5:15pm

Kenny’s baseball:

Fri, April 19 @ 6:00pm

Tues, April 30 @ 8:00pm

Fri, May 10 @ 6:00pm

Sun, May 12 @ 1:00pm – going to soccer 

Fri, May 17 @ 8:00pm

Fri, May 24 @ 6:00pm

Tues, May 28 @ 8:30pm

Wed, May 29 @ 8:30pm

Thurs, June 6 @ 6:00pm

Sat, June 15 @ 1:00pm

Fri, June 21 @ 6:00pm

Sun, June 23 @ 1:00pm

Wed, July 3 @ 8:30pm

Sat, July 6 @ 3:30pm

Sun, July 7 @ 3:30pm

Text/email me for locations.

Snow days 2013

KC got hit by a huge snowstorm last week, resulting in over a foot of snow.  The boys didn’t have school on Thursday and Friday.  I can honestly say that I didn’t go out once.  Snow and cold just aren’t my thing:)

Now, we have another round coming, possibly up to 15 inches.  Crazy.  The boys may have another snow day or two if it gets as bad as they say.  Eric and the boys went out to build a snowman tonight before the weather got out of control.

Valentine’s Day parties

Here are pictures from the boys’ Valentine’s Day class parties.  Luke was lucky.  Since he only goes to half day kindergarten, he to celebrate with his class and then again in the afternoon with Kenny’s class.

Pinewood Derby

Kenny joined Cub Scouts this year.  One of their big things is the Pinewood Derby, where they build and decorate cars to race.  Kenny’s was the bright orange one, Mr. Moustache.  His car came 9th overall (out of 22).

Better late than never winter parties

The boys had a snow day on their last day of school before Christmas break.  That meant their winter class parties were rescheduled for January (but that was better than them just being cancelled).

Ski Lessons 2012

The boys took skiing lessons on December 30th out at Snow Creek.  It was Kenny’s second lesson ever and Luke’s first.  Luke was so funny because he was having a hard time stopping himself.  At one point, he took out a few kids.  I’ll work on getting some videos of them skiing on here next.

Ornaments 2012

For the sake of record keeping, here are the ornaments that the boys received this year.  My Nikon is getting fixed so none of these pictures of very good.

Kenny:

Red and gold teardrop – from ornament exchange

Stuffed snowman – from my parents

Glass globe with a tree and cardinal inside it – from my parents

Holy Communion – from us

Green half circle with vintage Santa on it – from Eric’s mom and Don

Luke:

Snowman – from ornament exchange

First 5k – from us

Stuffed snowman – from my parents

Glass globe with snowman in it – from my parents

Green, half circle with vintage Santa on it – from Eric’s mom and Don

And speaking of my MIL and Don, they got engaged towards the beginning of December and waited until Christmas to tell everyone (so all the kids could be there for it).  Congratulations to them!