All is good at The Manor!

 I know I haven't updated in awhile but we have all just been trucking along. So far this month Daryl let Alex and I tag along to a Topeka High football game. It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed the marching band and dance team at halftime. Unfortunately, the team didn't get the win but it was also fun to peek at Daryl being social at a High School event! Alex liked the popcorn, LOL. 

Daryl was my personal cheering section at a local 5K last weekend at Lake Shawnee. I'm still struggling to get miles but it's not injury anymore. It's motivation! Doing a 5K with friends from the gym was great and it reminded me why I log the hours on my own in the early morning. Because races are the fun part! 

I went to Huff n Puff without the boys this year. The Hot Air balloons were beautiful, hopefully I have them when it happens next year. They were very jealous of my pictures. 

Today, we had a full day of fun! McDonalds for breakfast ✔

Alex helped me mow the yard✔ 

Watched Lego Batman✔

 Watched the KU football win at Buffalo Wild Wings ✔

Played FOUR games of pickleball ✔ That's pretty big for us, someone is usually mad enough after two games and we have to leave. LOL 

I hope everyone else is also having a full and fun September. It's fall y'all, enjoy it! 

Daryl is in this picture....

I'm so thankful I live in a community with so much to do!

Three New States!

 Last week I took a vacation that was very multi purpose. I got to visit family that lives in New Hampshire and establish a bond with these lovely ladies! I got to check 3 states off of my list in an effort to visit all 50. Lastly, I got to visit a new National park, Acadia! 

The most standout part of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine was the scenery. So many beautiful trees, coasts, lakes and hills. It was breathtaking. Second best thing was the weather, the highs were in the 70s and we even got a few mornings that started in the 50s, it was a welcome respite for our Kansas blazing heat. 

Meeting my NE family was a treat. Their hospitality was top notch as they showed us their part of the country. I only remember meeting my cousin Diana and I know their mom Aunt Mickey from many family gatherings. Meeting my other two cousins Deb and Rindy and their families was a pleasure. I don't know if I'll get them this way before I have to go back to visit again! Thank you all for taking time to show Mom and I around!! Love you all!

In Bar Harbor Maine!

Lobster roll!

Monty is a lake dog!

I found a lighthouse!

Acadia was gorgeous!

My cousins on the lake! 

Happy Birthday Dear Daryl!

 I blinked and you are 15. You have grown up so much this last year. I wasn't sure we were going to survive middle school and here you are handling high school like a boss. I am so thankful your frustrations with me and my house rules have lessened, because you brother is now picking up the slack! LOL 

Today you got to do some of your favorite things, went to a card show in Kansas City with dad then had Sushi with Alex and I. I hope you had a good day, your birthday is always at a busy back to school time. I knew you would just want to sleep in today, and that you did, 10am is when you finally came upstairs! Lol 

Love you bud, 15 looks good on you! 

Tiramisu for dessert! 

We almost finished all our sushi.

He loved his towels from Grandma and preloaded wallet from Alex and I.

Back to School!

 It is exciting times at The Manor. Both boys started in new buildings this year with Al going to Robinson Middle School and Daryl going to Topeka High School. I always feel the most for Daryl when these changes happen because he figures it out for the rest of us. 

That was apparent when Alex was asking Daryl questions all Sunday about middle school. Daryl calmed him, reassured him and was a wealth of information. I know Daryl had the same nerves and the same questions but he had to figure it out. 

Figuring it out means he did get lost on the 2nd day, he did forgo sports this first season and he has gotten home a new way for three days straight. I marvel at the problem solving skills he is developing and I'm being patient with the mood swings. He is going through a lot. But he is doing awesome! 

I know this because we had meet the teacher night last night and he is in really good hands. Alex is also in good hands and he is also starting to settle into a groove. One thing Alex is going to have to work on is asking questions when he doesn't understand. He is hesitant to get clarification for himself but he is getting better! 

I am trying to dedicate myself to a school time routine. The night before school we take time to think about the next day and even put out our clothes. I'm tired of trying to find the right shirt or the right socks when we need to be out the door! What has won me the "worst mom ever" award is my no phones after 9pm rule. That is bedtime and the phones don't go to their rooms. I'm sticking to my guns and Daryl told me he will never admit it helps him sleep. But I think it does! 

Here is to all my moms out there setting the new routines and sticking to their guns! We can be terrible moms together!! 

6th grade ready!

9th grade bound!

Daryl's new high school is gorgeous! 

Alex Update

Alex had his first follow up appointment since his hospitalization.  He had his first medical infusion in the hospital and he has had one outpatient. We are optimistic he is on the right medication because he is not having side effects and his numbers are getting better. Inflammation is going down and Iron is coming up. He is not in remission from his flare but his doctor didn't really expect that this soon. Maybe at three months out? It will take time for his little body to heal. 

Thanks everyone for the ongoing love and support for Alex and Daryl and Me. We have all been on a little roller coaster and my support system really came through for us. Best news for last, we found out Alex has gained 10 pounds since his first appointment with Children's Mercy on June 26th! He is up to 67 and the doctors would like to see him at 80. We will get there!

Still dressing like it's the dead of winter, he told me he is not cold anymore
these clothes are just more comfortable than shorts. LOL

Bye Bye Grandma

 This week was our first in months without Grandma Rosie at the manor. 🥺 We know we have to share and are grateful for all the extra time we got this year! She has moved west till winter.

Lola and Purl haven't felt the loss completely because the boys were home this week. We had ALL the appointments because school is starting next week! Have you ever heard of school starting on August 8th? It's crazy early this year. 

Today Ms. Molly hooked Daryl and Al up with haircuts and I got their school supplies in Lawrence. This was kinda smart because they don't start for a couple of weeks so they still had all the supplies!! 

Other than preparing for school we played pickelball almost every night this week. The boys were silly and we had fun 90% of the time. That's pretty good for brothers!