Week 22

This post is going to be short and sweet, just like our weekend.  We spent Saturday and Sunday in CC for Derek's cousin's graduation.  We saw family and played with cousins.  

Punky's last day of school is this weekend and then summer can officially begin!

Week 21

We spent the weekend at Grandma and Grandpa's farm in South Dakota this weekend.  We hadn't been there since Christmas, so it was long overdue and very much needed.  I had big plans to send Punky and Buddy outside by themselves to dig, explore, be wild and get dirty.  The weather didn't cooperate but we did manage to get outside a number of times (with adult supervision).

First thing Saturday morning, we set off on a nature hike through the farm.  Buddy found lots of beetles, ants and box elder bugs.  He left no stone or log unturned while he was searching for snakes and salamanders.  Punky found a caterpillar.  

We dug for a bit.  

And cuddled up and watched TV.  We let Buddy watch Jurassic Park.  We kept the atmosphere light-hearted and he wasn't scared once.  Maybe there's hope for the roaring T-Rex at Wall Drug?

Punky loved the rope swing this year.  I think this was the first time she wasn't about to fall off the whole time.

The kids played with the cats all weekend, letting them in and out of the screen porch.  There are two cats that are very tolerant with the kids.  In fact, if you stop petting them, they start to scratch and paw.  Buddy got a few good scratches, but it didn't stop him from harassing the Nightmare and Stripey.  (I can't get the video to load for some reason.  Click here)

Sunday was rainy, so we spent the afternoon inside playing board games.  Punky enjoyed Yahtzee, Jenga and Sorry!  Buddy mostly enjoyed playing with cats.  

After dinner, Derek took Buddy out for a walk.  He came back with a toad!  Derek said Buddy spotted it and caught it all on his own.  And then gushed about how "this was the best day ever!"  

I did a terrible job and didn't bring out my big camera once.  Good thing for the iPhone- or is it?  Hopefully I do a better job when the whole family is together in August.  

Week 20

On Friday night, we stopped by Home Depot on our way home from Rice and Beans to buy supplies for our "garden".  Last year, we grew two tomato plants in some containers.  This year we added a green pepper plant and another tomato plant.  We also let the kids pick out a packet of flower seeds and a pretty pot.  I grabbed my nice camera when we got home and took pictures of Derek and the kids planting everything.  I am so glad I did, the light was so beautiful!

Week 19

On Friday, Buddy and I went to the Como Zoo.  It only seemed fair since Punky was invited to go to the zoo for a friend's birthday on Saturday and was going again on Monday for the kindergarten field trip.  Since Buddy is our animal lover, I didn't think it was right that Punky went twice and Buddy didn't go at all.

It was a chilly morning and the crowds were small.  Buddy and I walked the entire zoo in 45 minutes.  The boy has no patience for watching the animals.  He loves every one and points out cool things about them, but after that, he's done and he wants the next one.

The sloth is climbing the tree?  Amazing!NEXT
The gorilla has a new baby?  Cute!NEXT.
The lion is facing off with the tiger?  Awesome!NEXT.
The snow leopard is eating a huge chunk of meat?  Wow!NEXT.
The wolves are actually visible and are replying back to your howls?  Neat!LET'S GO!

We stopped by the gift shop where I gave him a $2 budget.  He found a shark tooth for $2.79 and was ecstatic!  Afterwards, we revisited the primates, rainforest and aquatic animals before Buddy was ready to go home to Chic-fil-A for lunch.  It was a fun morning and Buddy had a lot of cool things to tell Daddy and Punky about that evening.  I could tell he took everything in and enjoyed what we saw.  He just wanted to see more right away!

Today is Mother's Day, so I can't not mention how grateful I am for my family.  Derek spoiled me today with a big breakfast, gifts, Panera lunch and Chipotle tonight after the kids were in bed.  Punky made me some cute gifts at school that I will treasure forever.  Buddy was out of sorts today and had multiple tantrums.  He had to leave the restaurant early and wait in the car while I finished my lunch.  Motherhood isn't always easy, but I wouldn't change the two kids and husband I have been blessed with for the world.

Week 18

Punky started nearball this week.  (Last year, she did T-ball and this year she graduated to coach-pitch baseball.  I am pretty sure I didn't do coach-pitch until second grade...)  It's two nights a week which is doable, but also makes for a hectic schedule.  The league didn't give the teams official names, so the kids got to choose their own.  The girls on the team wanted to be called The Bananas, but the boys voted for The Pythons.  There are more boys on the team, so we are The Pythons.  

Derek is an assistant coach this year, so he needs to leave work early to be on the fields on time.  He's had to rush in the house, change clothes and eat in the car both nights this week.  

Punky struggled a bit this week with batting.  The coach brought out the tee during one of her at-bats and I could tell she was just about in tears.  So, I made sure we practiced batting over the weekend.  Punky was not having it and didn't want to practice.  Finally, she gave it another try and got a better rhythm going if she stepped into each pitch (she was swinging too early).  

The weather has been beautiful and I enjoy sitting outside watching the games.  A few of our good friends are on the team and this year our neighbor joined too, so Buddy has another friend to play with.  

Buddy enjoys the games as well.  He runs around all over the area with other siblings from the team.  I had a difficult time keeping track of him during the first game.  At one point I found him trying to pet the geese on the pond.  He was practically in the water.  I've been keeping a closer eye on him since then.  

This summer, Punky is also registered for soccer.  Buddy is finally old enough (darn early September birthdays) for the Lil Sports Sampler class (t-ball and soccer).  We've also got both kids in swimming lessons.  It will be a busy and fun summer!