I'm super proud of us!

The boys and I are in a good place with routine. It is third week of school and we are rolling. Reading is getting done at night, boys are getting to bed on time and backpacks are getting checked! Sometimes it's the little things that make me so happy. 💖

This weekend we did some visiting. I wonder if kids even know these days that going on visits used to be a weekend staple? For the first time in a year we spent time with our friends Ron and Claudia. Claudia watched Alex from two weeks old to four years old. She will always hold a special place in his heart. To this day when I'm making him mad he will ask to see Claudia!

Daryl stayed with them for awhile too and he loves to tinker with Ron. On this visit, after they were done playing in the backyard, Ron and Daryl made jewelry. It was a great visit and we look forward to being back before another year!

We also visited with Reiyna and got to hear about her first week of college! We were glad to help her run some errands and be there for her. We are always here baby cousin!! The boys got to see inside a dorm room. They were fascinated. "Why don't you have a kitchen? Where is your bathroom? Is that the only place to keep your clothes??" It was pretty funny!

Alex didn't want to take a picture. He waited in the car!

Ron made both boys a stamped bracelet! 

Every good weekend has some baseball!

Eclipse Day :-/

On Monday, Alex shot right out of bed and said, "It's eclipse day mom!!"

He was so excited, I felt bad that it was really cloudy here in Topeka. We couldn't really see it at all from my office. The kids did sit outside and Alex still thought it was cool. I grabbed this picture from the school's PTO site. I love that they did the paper bags over their heads.

We were sitting in a meeting Monday night and Alex told the table of adults, "If you stare at the eclipse it will burn a hole in your eye!"

He was so serious, I know that he did not peak!

Daryl was not as impressed, he was pretty blah about the whole thing. He did ask if we could go to Maine to watch the next one in seven years. Probably not bud. LOL

Daryl is back into his WWE toys full force. He has ignored them for an entire year, opting for Pokemon cards and coin collecting. I never thought I would write this, but I'm glad he is playing with his WWE toys again. He was just collecting stuff with those other interests, at least with his action figures he is playing and using his imagination. He sets up matches and now is trying out, "moves" of his own! As long as we don't end up in the ER, I am better with playing than collecting.

Now, if I could get him as excited about saving his money, hmmm.......

First Day of School!

On Monday the boys had their first day of school. Daryl started 3rd grade, and Alex finally got to go to Kindergarten. I was a mess when Daryl started school, pretty much cried all day. When we got up Monday morning I felt my emotions coming to the surface then Alex asked, "Mom can you just drop me off out front? I don't need you to come in."

Then I was double teamed.

Daryl said, "I can get him to the gym mom, it's OK."

I let them know, I would drop them off for the rest of the year. First day and last day of school, mom goes inside! When I think back to why I was so emotional for Daryl, I wasn't sure if he was ready, I didn't know if he would make friends. On Monday I knew for a fact Alex was ready, and no matter what he has his brother. So, no tears were shed!

Having the boys I do, I got no details about the first day. However, I did learn Alex got a talking to about hitting his brother at after-school program. If they can be nice to each other in after-school every day maybe it will spill over to time at home!

I've been looking forward to having them in the same building for years, and so far it does not disappoint! One drop off and one pick up is glorious!! I hope all the kids and teachers going back to school find their groove quickly, getting up on Tuesday Alex already said, "I don't want to go to school!"

This coming from the boy who counted down the days to school all summer. Go figure!

Daryl said, "Mom we need to take a picture by a tree." So we did!

Don't they look like they love each other?

My baby is in school, can't be sad when he has wanted this for years!

Is It School Time Yet?

Summer vacation is nearing an end, and I am ready for the family to be back on a routine! The fair, baseball, mini vacations and summer break have caused some internal chaos for Daryl and Alex. At least that is what I am hoping is the issue! Lately, we have been battling tantrums and rude behavior, and mom is over it!

We said Goodby to Grandma Rosie on Monday. (sniff sniff) We miss you already, but cousin Reiyna is doing a great job filling in while I'm at work. Two days in she did admit she is NOT ready for kids! So Brenda, you're welcome! LOL

The boys had fun getting their baseball awards on Monday. Alex got a medal for T-Ball and Daryl's team got the first place trophy for how they placed during the season. Of course Alex had to take a picture with those trophies too! They had fun this season and learned a lot. They will be excited to start up again in the spring.

The weekend after the fair Mom and I took the boys to World's of Fun and the Kansas City Zoo. Surprisingly, I think the boys enjoyed the zoo more. I know I did! We did do all the rides at the zoo, so I'm sure that helped. Daryl's favorite was the sky ride and Alex's favorite was the seal splash show. My favorite was the meerkats!! I highly recommend visiting this Zoo. 

Finally, elementary school teachers, I adore you! Will you please take my kids now?!

Happy Birthday Alberto!

Tomorrow is Alberto's 5th birthday, but we had a lunch party today! Alex has had to be flexible with his birthday his whole life, since he is a fair baby. He was born on the first day of the Horse Show in 2012, and this year his day falls on the first day of the Fair. Thankfully, the boy just wants cake!

We had a birthday pizza, cake and presents at Godfather's pizza. He was so excited to get home and play with his Mr. Freeze cave and his Geology set Grandma got for him. The boys will have a bigger party in August, but I wanted to do something fun for Alex today. 

Last weekend he had his last T-Ball game. I tried to get a picture of him out on the field after the game, but he wouldn't stand still. He is all business when he puts on his Rhinos uniform!

Yesterday, Daryl had his last game of the season. They lost in the championship game of the league tournament. They had a great season and second place is major improvement over last year. The kids and parents of the team this year were so fun! Daryl played a lot of positions this year, but I think he did the best at first base. He made some pretty awesome plays at first during his tournament.

Cheese Pizza with sprinkle cheese!

I can't believe that he is five already!

His first year of T-Ball, and he LOVED it!

Not bad for a second place trophy!

Goal Assessment

We are over half way done with 2017. I am very OK with that. Parts of this year have felt like treading water, and while I don't know what will be different in 2018, I am ready to be done with this year.
In January I set goals and it really helps me focus my time and energy to do things that are good for me. I want to complete or get very close to completing all of my goals. After doing my monthly check in I realized that is not going to happen this year.
I'm not too upset with myself. I had no idea what my life was going to look like as a single mom, so I was just giving it my best guess. I thought maybe with mom living with me for the summer I would make some headway, but that has not been the case. Yes, mom is a great help but summer is still crazy and her being here has not created more hours in the day. Mom has kept the house from falling down and stopped the children from starving, so that is good!
So to keep my goals motivating I've made some revisions. Here we go again! Striving to be happy, healthy and informed here are 2017 goals v. 2.

Read 16 8 Books
Run 550 350 Miles
Knit 4 Sweaters Knit or Sew 4 Things
6 Trips (No Change, this is going good!)
Save $2,000 (I've already completed this goal!)

This entire week the boys have been with Kelly, it looks like they are having a great time. Daryl is in full County fair preparation mode. He bought the finishing touches to his buymanship outfits while with Kelly so he sent me pictures of the completed looks. I can't wait to see  him model on Friday and Sunday of the fair! He is so handsome!

Look how much they miss me! LOL

Daryl's Dressy Outfit

Daryl's Casual Outfit