My Birthday

Guess what?

I'm 40.

I am now officially in my 40's. 

Crazy.

Good thing I had some distractions this past weekend to keep me from spinning out :)

Thursday, my friend Danielle flew in to see me! I picked her up from the airport and then went to one of my favorite local breakfast places before heading home for her to nap and me to work. We enjoyed a low-key afternoon/evening at home with the family - visiting and catching up!

Friday we went blueberry picking!

Afterward, we did a little shopping (I bought a new hat and purse) before we headed to lunch at a favorite local BBQ place and then we got massages! The 'massage experience' was so relaxing and wonderful. I took a recommendation from a co-worker and it did not disappoint. We arrived early to change into robes and "relax" with a foot soak. Then we each received a 30-minute massage and we ended back in the "relax" area. So nice! We spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out and then we all had Mexican for dinner.

 

After dinner I was surprised with Crumble Cookies - oh so good! We ate them on the couch, straight from the box. Delicious!!!!

Saturday, the whole gang headed out to the City Market in downtown KC. A little bit of everything came home with us.... flowers, root beer, fresh corn, digging minerals, soap, a puppy puppet, pita bread.... it was so fun! 

After the market, we hit up a new spot for lunch - the Iron District. Think food vendors and small shops in shipping containers. Such a cute little area! 

 

 

I tried to take the boys swimming that afternoon, but it started raining on the drive to the pool - bummer! We enjoyed a movie on the couch instead. And fresh tamales from a local place is what we enjoyed for dinner that night, followed by ice cream from our favorite - Andy's!

Sunday (my actual birthday) was another great day! We went to church and then headed home for leftovers before driving out to the lake to canoe :) We had to wear the life jackets - but look how cute we all are!

 

We had a great time on the water. It was perfect weather too! Rusty and Diane were in a canoe, Nik and Jaxen were in a canoe and then Danielle and I had Zane - until the end, then he joined up with Nik and Jaxen. Look how cute they are!

 

We will definetely do that again!

 

After playing some cards that afternoon I ate a delicious birthday dinner...a rib-eye and salad (there was also fresh corn on the cob).

The four days leading up to my 40th were so much fun.

 

Actually - I started my birthday celebration a bit early, with some shopping and a date night with my cutie husband :)

 

My experiences were fun, my people are awesome, the food was fantastic - it was a birthday to remember!

Life Lately

Here is a little of what we have been up to lately...

 

Sometimes dads like to have fun with Nerf guns, without the kids!

 

Jaxen went off the high-dive for the first time, since summer 2019 - he loved it!


He also enjoyed the waterslide (he is on the left)


 

Hanging at the pool/water park is a favorite pastime in the summer!

 

I love dates with my cutie husband. 

Shopping and dinner outside while listening to live music is a favorite!

 

This past week I have struggled with allergies.

I spent one night laying on the couch, watching the Olympic Trials and I loved it...

minus the headache, running nose and sneezing aspects.

 

A favorite salad.... greens, turkey, ham, salami, cheddar cheese, feta cheese and ranch dressing.

 

We made a quick stop through Ikea and Zane could not get enough of this doggie.

 

Watermelon at the pool makes this boy happy!

 

We enjoyed celebrating Nik for Father's Day.

These two love their daddy big - we are grateful for him!

 

It was fun to hear some of their favorite things about Nik....

kind, willing to help, try new things, loves to wrestle/tickle, puts his family first, that he loves diving boards and water slides, he is strong, fixes technology, watches movies....and on and on!

Nik is their favorite...and I'm so glad!

I think he is pretty great too!

Basketball

Jaxen is playing basketball this summer!

 

After a very weird season of basketball (due to COVID) our city's rec department decided to try a summer basketball league...and Jaxen decided to join in!

 

He is once again on a team with a few friends (from school and our neighborhood).

 

 He is still learning some basics, improving in some areas, but is having a good time.

Most importantly, he is working hard - and I think it's really going to pay off!

I forget how fun it is to watch your kiddos play sports.

Super fun. And sometimes stressful...in a good way!

 

So far, they have lost 1 and won 1.

This last game, Jaxen had 4 steals and received "player of the game" for his hard work,

and following the instructions of his coach. 

So cool!

That really help build his confidence!

 

Here's a few pics.... (blue jersey, black shorts, #5)

I'm excited for the rest of the basketball season!!!

Jaxen Turns 9 - It is MESSY!

We had a great weekend, celebrating Jaxen's 9th birthday! 

It started off with Nik getting delicious donuts (they were very fresh) when he got off work. 

He left a note for Jaxen and let me tell you...he was thrilled (and felt special)!

I woke up early to hang with the birthday boy and his early morning request was that we play a game together called "knife smash". We played for awhile and then Jaxen decided he wanted to help with his birthday cake.

 Earlier in the week Jaxen suggested a volcano cake for his birthday treat. Thankfully, he wanted it pretty simple. I had already baked the cakes - so Jaxen went to work trimming them into a volcano and then we worked together on the icing. I was trying to make the icing look pretty (straight lines, color separated, etc.) and at one point Jaxen let me know that is not the way a real volcano looked - ha! 

He basically finished it up after that. I put a few last minute touches on it.... we called it good...and left it alone until it was time to blow out the candles.

Later that morning, Jaxen opened up a few birthday presents early. Guess what he got? Root Beer and Taco Bell Mild Sauce. That right there is the way to his heart!

 The boys went to a car show nearby while the girls got ready for Jaxen's party.

We agreed this would be a good year for a "messy" birthday party. And it was exactly that! Thank you to Pinterest for all the great ideas. I did have some narrowing-down to do and some thinking through the details of how some of the games might actually work...but it ended up great!

Here's a peak at the party:

Messy Twister - twister with shaving cream

Dig for Worms - gummy worms buried in whipped cream

Cheese Puff Toss - shaving cream on head / partner throws cheese puffs and tries to land them

Cheerios Face Off - a buttered face meets a plate of cheerios to see who can get the most to stick

Blind Feeding - while blindfolded, feed your partner pudding

 Fill the Cup - while blindfolded, fill your partners cup with chocolate syrup

Food Fight

Water Balloons

Cake Time

 Present Time

Jaxen opened presents from his friends and the theme of the day was Nerf Guns! 

The party ended on the trampoline, getting hosed down by Nik!

It was a lot of fun for everyone involved - those who participated and those who watched! 

Jaxen played with friends (and his new Nerf guns) the rest of the afternoon and then we ended the night with pizza, family gifts and a movie. 

He got some other great gifts: gum, diving/pool toys, cowboys swag, a camera, tracing board and books - all perfect!

My boy is 9.