Ice Cream Summer

We have enjoyed ice cream treats often this summer.  Maybe too often since Tyler asks "What?  No ice cream or popsicle tonight?" if I don't mention it shortly after dinner. 

This night we went to Flavors Olde Tyme Soda & More on the riverfront. 

They had Spiderman ice cream!  Tyler is pretty clueless when it comes to super heroes but the gal behind the counter did a great job selling it.  Tyler insisted on a cone and enjoyed the entire thing all by himself!

How could you not want to give this cute face ice cream all the time? 

And of course, his pregnant mom, has to join him! 



Proud to be a Kappa!

This post could mean a lot and I am, for so many reasons, proud to be a Kappa.  My college sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, was such a fun place for me in college and format in which I created many lifelong friendships . 

 

Earlier this month, Kappa's longtime houseman, Dennis Paige, passed away.  A few Kappas who are currently at Mizzou got wind that his family didn't have funds for a funeral and set out to try to raise some money for the family to help out.  Well, thanks to social media and a strong bond of the lifelong friendships I mentioned earlier, Kappas (and others) were able to raise over $6400 (through Crowdtilt) in just a few short days! 

 

My days at 512 E. Rollins in Columbia, MO will always include memories of Dennis shouting "Man on the floor" when he was upstairs to fix something in the house.  His often familiar "Hey, hey" will also live on for generations of Kappas. 

 

I continue to be amazed by an awesome sisterhood of generous women who come together for good.  Great job, Kappas!  

 

Mom of Boys

I came across this blog post, Signs You're a Mom of Boys, tonight and laughed out loud to myself.  I love being a mom of three boys.  I cannot wait to see the third one join Tyler and Nathan in the craziness of Hot Wheels, Thomas trains, blocks, balls and books that currently make up our house! 

 

#13 is oh, so true for me.   Silence...oh, crap!

 

Sweet Hadley was even making car sounds today while playing cars and trucks with Nathan.

 

A typical weekday view for morning beverages.   I don't know what Tyler is drinking.  It is usually milk.  I am guessing he pulled out juice from the previous night from the refrigerator. 

 

 

Morning entertainment.  Time to wake up, Mom!

Some chill time with popcorn and a movie. 

Yes, my kids do sometimes wear pants. This must have been a Friday at home as we obviously didn't have anywhere pressing to go to get dressed for.  I am pretty sure Tyler's PJ pants are just on inside out in this photo.  Maybe backwards too.  Three or so years ago, this would have driven me bonkers.  Now, I am just excited he got dressed himself after going potty. 

 

Ahh...I sure do love my boys!

 



Wash, MO Fair 2013

Another fair has come and gone.  Tyler was much more into the fair this year than in years past and I have to admit, it was pretty fun.  Jeff and I went by ourselves on Saturday night (thanks GG and Grandpa Wood!) and while we had a good time, we both said it was way more fun to be at the fair with the kids.  (Maybe it would have been more fun without kids if I could have joined my husband and had a beer or two.)  :)

 

As always, there are a LOT of photos.

Night 1 we checked out a few tractors along with visits to the hogs and steers.  Nathan "moo"d his way through the entire barn at EVERY animal.  We watched a bit of the Super Farmer contest.  I am confident my husband was thinking about entering next year...but he may try to recruit a more adequate "farmer wife."  ;)  We avoided the Midway / "playground" on the first night, but that didn't last long... 

 

So serious.

 

The "roller coaster" was Tyler's favorite!

Front row seat!

 

 

Nathan was going to ride backwards. 

Hadley and Kyle got to ride this one with us.  I promise, she did like it once it started moving. 

 

"Are you ready for this?"

"Hi, Mom & Dad!"

Serious...again.  We take fair rides very seriously.

Then it was on to the monster trucks.  I thought they  were a bit lame...there were only 4 of them and they didn't crush cars or anything (at least while we sat there), but the boys thought they were "awesome."

 

Nathan was in awe!

 

Mom, let's take our picture...but I am not going to take my eyes off the trucks.

Nathan was even a big boy riding some rides by himself while Tyler rode the roller coaster...again.

Pure joy!

This is as good as it gets to get both boys to smile at the camera at the same time.  "Cheese!"

Yes, this photo is blurry, but it is proof that I was crazy enough to get on the twirling, spinning (pretty fast too) hot air balloon ride 6 months pregnant. 

 

 Sunday evening, Popo volunteered to watch Nathan as he was not feeling 100%.  Plus, it was fun for mom and dad to have a night out with just Tyler.  It was the evening before he started preschool so it was extra special.  Jeff was awesome to ride rides with Tyler.  After rides, we watched the motocross while enjoying a funnel cake and sharing a Gatorade.  Last stop before home was to visit Grandma who was working front stage at the concert. 

 

Bumper cars were first up on the agenda.  The photo on the right was their scared faces. 

Dad even squeezed himself on the infamous roller coaster. 

Noticing the lovely porta potties in the background, Tyler did have his first porta potty experience.  Thankfully, Dad took him on this adventure too and Tyler was a bit grossed out by the whole thing.  I don't blame him. 

Tyler got brave and wanted to ride on some of the big rides!  Hew as just barely tall enough to ride this one.  I was nervous for him.  This thing spun around really fast and over little bumps.  Then it went backwards.  When it started to go backwards, Tyler didn't hold on like I probably would have but put both arms in the air.  I was laughing so hard I was crying. 

Final ride of the fair - the swings.   

 

We had a great time at the "Summer's Last Blast!"  Until the 2014 fair...and we have 3 boys to bring along!  It will be crazy fun! :)

 



Tyler's First Day of Preschool: August 12, 2013

Tyler started preschool at Little Rascals this past Monday, August 12. 

We were so excited for him!

Dad was able to join him for the drop off to school too! 

 

He seems so big, yet so little at the same time to me in this picture. 

How is it possible that we are old enough to have a child in preschool? 

I meant to have the chalkboard ready with the date, etc. but I wasn't that on the ball. 

Maybe if the fair hadn't been the previous 5 days (a post coming on the fair too)...

 

Also, there was no time for photos with Mom, Dad and/or Nathan.  "It's time to go to school."

Tyler had no qualms about walking into school on his own.  He waltzed right in and said hello.  There were no tears and we had to ask for hugs.  I even resisted calling to check on him during the day. 

Don't you love his Mizzou backpack?  Tyler really likes his backpack!

 

I am confident that Ms. Brenda and her staff will take excellent care of Tyler. 

Heck, I went to Little Rascals waaay back in the day and I turned out okay, right? ;)

 

Tyler's Day 1 Report Card. 

It was hard for me to belive that "talkative" was not highlight as Tyler is constantly talking.  I was glad to see he ate most of his lunch and slept at nap time. 

Day 1 Bingo Dobber Art

I love that he chose black and gold! :)

 

I was actually more worried about how Nathan would do at the sitter's without Tyler.  They are usually together 24/7.  Nathan was more resistant for me to leave when I dropped him off but after I left, Ms. Eileen said he had a great day!  He probably got to play with all the toys without fear of anyone taking them away! 

 

Ms. Eileen has watched Tyler 3 days a week for the last 3+ years and she is wonderful!  I really need to get a photo of Ms. Eileen and Tyler.  She has taken such great care of our boys and we are so glad Nathan loves it there as much as Tyler did.  It is also fun since she watches our cousin/nephew, Matthew.  I love that our kiddos get to grow up so close to their cousins! 

 

All in all, Tyler's first day (and week) was a success! 



Otter Creek Farms: Part 2

You might remember this post of our last trip to "Popo's farm" aka Otter Creek Farms.  Our fun continued...

 

Uncle Kyle, Tyler, Daddy and Nathan enjoying a view of the farm from one of the many deer stands on the farm. 

 

Then it was on to tractor rides with Popo. 

I can tell you that the farm is a little boys...and some big boys dream land. 

A classic photo!

Nathan started chasing after the tractor ready for his turn. 

Getting the John Deere hat.  I feel like it symbolizes a rite of passage, like the turning of the tassel at graduation.

 

Thanks ,Popo, for the fun times at the farm.  I am sure there will be more tractor rides and mornings in the deer stands to come. 



VBS: Everywhere Fun Fair!

This post is long overdue.

Several weeks ago Tyler attended our church's Vacation Bible School (VBS).  To say he loved it would be an understatement.  We are still singing the songs on a daily basis. 

Warning:  There are a LOT of photos and several videos. 

Tyler on one of the nights of VBS.  The teachers took this one to send home with parents. 

Tyler already has a special bond with GG Wood, but VBS week solidified it even more.  GG was in charge of teaching the kids the songs which just happened to be Tyler's favorite part.  Everyone in Tyler's class was calling her GG because Tyler told them that was her name.  :)

These two are alike in a lot of ways.

Godwin was the puppet that told the stories all week.  Tyler talked about Godwin quite a bit when he got home, but wasn't great at relating the exact stories. 

 

Each night there was a different message and Bible verse.  Tyler talks about the importance of being a great neighbor often. 

Neighbors are giving!

God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7b)

Neighbors are welcoming!

Praise the Lord, all you nations! Worship Him, all you peoples! (Psalm 117:1)

Neighbors are friendly!

Serve the Lord with celebration! Come before him with shouts of joy! (Psalm 100:2)

Neighbors are bold!

I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. (Matthew 25:35)

Neighbors are forgiving!

Therefore you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you. (Matthew 7:12)

 

Waiting for the performance to begin.

Nathan knows many of the motions too.  He really wanted to go to VBS with his big brother. 

This may be my favorite picture from VBS.  Pure elation!

Popo and Nathan hung out after Nathan attempted and did run up to the performance area. 

Here are the videos:

Everywhere Fun Fair!

Please disregard the microphone issues in the background.  The two ladies in front of Jeff were Tyler's teachers for VBS, Ms. Monica and Ms. Jackie.

Step Right Up

Love the Lord Your God

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

To top off all the excitement, ice cream was served after the program! 

And then...

 

Tyler's photo was in the paper!  He was so excited!  Thanks, Aunt Jeanne!

 

It was a great VBS and we are so glad Tyler enjoys activities at church.