Thursday, July 30, 2020

Bits of Life

Here are some random bits of life lately:

Zane is a night owl. We put him to bed before Jaxen (because it does not seem fair that the younger kid stays up later than the older) most nights. There are exceptions. But most nights, Zane goes to bed before Jaxen and is still up when Jaxen goes to bed. He is quiet (for the most part). The other night I peaked in at him and found this.


There have a been a few nights where Zane is up until 10 or later. And he still wakes up in the middle of the night to go potty and then wants to lay in my bed for 5 minutes with me. I rarely wake up enough to take him back to his bed after a few minutes or argue with him that he has to sleep in his own bed. Therefore, Nik often finds Zane in his spot and moves him back to his own bed (but not before he snaps a pic!). It's on my "parental to-do list" to work this out where Zane goes back to his own bed.


I also found Zane sleeping in his pillowcase one night. This boy - you never know!



This t-shirt right here....it is my new favorite. How many times do you say "it's fine" or "I'm fine"?
I might just have to purchase it!


Nik and I have been more consistent the past few weeks with making the boys do chores each day. Nik sent me this picture one morning - Zane drinking his milk and vacuuming - multi tasking at it's best!


Jaxen rarely lets me take pictures of him anymore. But I do find selfies on my phone frequently. They are taken first thing in the morning. He is not allowed to do anything until 7am, so if he wakes up before 7am, he lays in my bed (and that is when he grabs my phone and takes selfies).


Zane made me a heart the other day on his light board and left it on the kitchen table so I would see it when I got home. Sweet boy!

Over the weekend I got out the car wash soap and let Zane and his neighbor friends have a bike wash. They loved it!



Sunday evening one of our neighbors came over (after mowing his lawn) and asked if he could put his head in the sprinkler (of course). The kids thought that was the funniest thing - and they started doing it! Not long after he asked if we had any water guns...well, yes of course we do! He then had an "epic" water gun fight with my boys and the neighborhood kids! I watched from the sidelines and laughed :)

Zane was not too good at sitting through church this past Sunday - but he sure looked cute!

It has been really rainy here the last few days/nights (which I love) so instead of being outside last night I pulled out the paints and the boys enjoyed painting!



Monday, July 27, 2020

2020-2021 School Year

We have officially heard plans for the 2020-2021 school year:

School will begin Tuesday, September 8
The school district has given the option of in-person learning or remote learning

At this time and for various reasons Nik and I have decided both Jaxen and Zane 
will attend school, in-person for the full first semester.

There has been so much debate over schools re-opening and the choices that each family has to make.
 It's not an easy choice. 
There is no right answer. 
Each family has to make the choice for what is best for them and their situation 
and that choice will be the RIGHT one. 
I love this little graphic.




I try to be encouraging to all the other moms/families out there
making this choice - whether it is a different choice than mine or the same.
I hope you are too :)

I am not exactly sure what to expect school to "look" like,
but here are some guidelines we have been given:

Masks will be required for students and staff.
Students will be required to bring masks to school and wear them during the instructional day.
Social distancing will occur in the classroom to the maximum extent possible.
Student movement in the building will be greatly reduced. 
Students will not be allowed to gather in large groups.
To begin the year, there will be no assemblies or field trips.
Visitors (including parents and volunteers) to the buildings will be strictly limited to the front office only.
Restrictions are subject to change as the year progresses per guidance from local and state health departments. Should conditions worsen and full in-person learning not be an option, students who opt for in-person may be transitioned to a hybrid model where they may come into school a few days a week and be home doing remote learning for the other days. Additionally, if a greater school shut down were to be ordered by state or local officials, all in-person learning students would be transitioned to remote learning. 



Well, that is what we know!
We now have a countdown to get ready for school. 
This will not be an easy thing.
Kids have not stepped into a classroom since March 12.
My kids have not had much structure since then.
They have not had to "sit still and pay attention" for a great amount of time in months.

And I don't think they have worn anything with a button in the last 4 months either - lol!
Jaxen will struggle with wearing anything that is not considered a "comfy" and
Zane will struggle with wearing clothes period. 
I mean, Saturday we went to the farmers market and Zane wore a mask and
a dinosaur Halloween costume and no shoes. 
We barely noticed!

There will be new rules and guidelines and with that - some of the excitement is gone.
I am trying to think of some ways to help ramp up the excitement....
maybe find some fun-printed masks, or take Jaxen shopping for new "comfy-non-athletic-clothes"...
I'm not sure. 
I'll take any ideas you have!

That was a long post.
My thoughts are all over the place (as I'm sure most of yours are)
about this pandemic, schools and really, public (life) in general. 

Trust in the Lord....!

Thursday, July 23, 2020

Jaxen - Age 8

I thought it would be fun to do a get-to-know-you questionnaire with each of my boys!
Here are Jaxen's answers to my questions.

Favorite thing to do?
Play with Brooks

Favorite color?
Blue or Red

Favorite movie?
The Last Guest

Favorite food?
Mom-made grilled cheese, hot dogs or pizza

If you could go anywhere, where would it be?
Dawson's house

Best friends?
Brooks, Kade, William and Landon

Favorite song?
Radio Active

When you grow up what do you want to be?
A Miner, McDonald's worker, Bank worker or Police Officer

What makes you happy?
Being with people that make me happy

What makes you sad?
Losing best friends and moving away

If you could have one wish what would it be?
To see Dawson again

Dawson is a friend Jaxen had at his other school in KS (kinder and 1/2 of 1st grade).
We did not get Dawson's number before we moved across town (and to a different school).
Jaxen misses him a lot.
I recently found Dawson's mom on social media and have reached out.
Hopefully we can get the two of them together soon!

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Zane - Age 4

I thought it would be fun to do a get-to-know-you questionnaire with each of my boys!
Here are Zane's answers to my questions.

Favorite thing to do?
Paint

Favorite color?
Blue

Favorite movie?
Sonic the Hedgehog

Favorite food?
Broccoli

If you could go anywhere, where would it be?
To my girlfriends house

Best friends?
Maddie, Tye and Lincoln

Favorite song?
T-Rex Bro

When you grow up what do you want to be?
Police Officer

What makes you happy?
Painting

What makes you sad?
Not painting

If you could have one wish what would it be?
To have a big green T-Rex

I apparently will be pulling out the painting supplies this weekend 
and let Zane do his "favorite thing" (which I had no clue was his favorite - ha!)

Monday, July 20, 2020

Boring Weekend Recap

Not that our weekend was boring - but this recap will be - ha!

Friday night - Setting up for Garage Sale.

Saturday 6am until probably 3pm - Garage Sale.

Saturday afternoon/evening - Relaxing and cleaning.

Sunday morning - Church.

Sunday afternoon - Cleaning and laundry.

Sunday evening - finally got to sit outside and read a book for awhile! It was sooo hot all weekend and it finally cooled off a bit. Our new next door neighbor came over and played football with the boys before bed and now I think they both have a new best friend :)




Thursday, July 16, 2020

Our Little World

Here are a few things going on in our little world right now:

1. I was in a fender-bender (a lady hit the back of the Nissan while I was stopped at a red light). I am fine, but now we are waiting on Insurance to figure out how/when the car will get fixed.

2. We still have not heard anything about what school will look like this fall. The Governor of KS made an executive order to delay the opening of schools until after Labor Day (3 weeks later than the original start date). At this point, I'm not sure we will even have in-person school.

3. I am having a Garage Sale this weekend. Trying to figure out how to do that amidst this pandemic. I will be masked, have Lysol, hand sanitizer and a hand-washing station. Doesn't get more complicated than that, right?

4. Nik's job is going well. He is good at it, and being pulled in whatever direction they need him at any given moment. It is hot though, and he now has to be masked the entire time he is working, which is difficult.

5. Zane has been getting into trouble lately.

6. Jaxen is learning a bit more about responsibility. Hard lessons. It's not easy on him, or us at times.

I have no pictures to share. Honestly, things have me a little down lately. I know I'll snap out of it - but until then all I want to do is sleep. Ha!

What I really need is a bit more time with Jesus. Praying, reading his Word, and keeping my eyes focused on Him instead of the situations around me. Anyone else?!

Come back next week - maybe I will have cute pictures of my kids to share :)

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Weekend Favorites

1. I painted our foyer stairs!

2. I started painting the trim work and doors in our foyer!

3. We had a front yard pool party and campfire with the boys!


4. Nik made air-fryer Asparagus - sooo good!

5. We spent time with new neighbors!

Monday, July 13, 2020

NM Road Trip

Last week the boys and I headed to NM for a long weekend.

It was a 12-hour drive but the boys did sooo good!
There was a lot of movie watching, a lot of snacking, a little arguing, a little whining and one nap.
Only. One. Nap. 
I can't believe I'm still sane! Haha!

It was a very pretty drive!
I drove into rain two times on the way there -
had to stop for construction three times on the way back -
and of course, had to let these boys go potty on the side of the road pretty often.

You all know I can't go to NM without some eating some New Mexican food!
Look at that yummy green chile sauce!


It was pretty hot while we were there...upper 90's.
Thankfully it stayed under 100.
Even though it was so hot, my boys insisted on going to the skate park.
They rode around for about 15 minutes before asking to go home because it was too hot!

They did get to ride their bikes in the neighborhood, though.
I took them out each morning while it was still relatively cool.
And they had fun with that.

While in NM I let the boys have a pet.
I don't even like pets.
But this one was okay - for a few days.
Let me explain....

Within an hour or so after we arrived my sister saw a turtle in the backyard.
I was excited for the boys to see it and so I brought them outside to take a look.
Well, things escalated quickly and within a few minutes,
we had a pet turtle. 

The boys named him Turty.
And for the first two days, every time I said his name, I would start laughing!!!



They were so excited about their pet!
They fed him, watered him and took him out for walks/exercise each day.

We had one instance where Turty dug himself down in a hole and I had to dig him out.
Otherwise - he was a great little pet!


On our last day there, the boys said good-bye and we released Turty back into the "wild".


The best part of our time in NM?
Spending time with my mom, Scotty, Jessica and Brennen!
We talked, laughed, played games, colored, cooked...
and of course I didn't take pictures of all that.

I'm thankful for the time with my family last week!

Friday, July 10, 2020

Laundry Room Updates

This was our laundry room when we moved in
(not pictured - brown shutter doors).

 It was very dark.
So I took the shelf out and painted the walls.
This was also as we were ripping out old floors to lay a new one.
(see brown shutter doors?)

I eventually added some shelves and a place to hang clothes
(I believe this was the last update you had).

And now...
the brown shutter doors are white!

There are still a few things I want to do:
add a fun light cover
add a rug
hang some hooks for my ironing board, mop and broom
add baseboards...

There is always something!
But it love how much lighter the room and hallway are!

Thursday, July 9, 2020

Fireworks!

We were in NM over the July 4th holiday.
Once I knew we would be there, I asked my sister to help my kiddos with fireworks.
That is not my department :)
Of course she said yes...because she is awesome!

Well, my boys got a surprise that night - 
not only did my sister help them, her son (Brennen) hung out with them as well!!!
They were thrilled.

We started our fireworks a little early - because I don’t let my kids stay up super late,
but it was perfect!

Enjoy the pics….