29 again

Today I celebrated my 29th birthday (for the 25th year in a row). It was a most excellent day. 

I was amused when one of my new kids gave me a birthday gift.  I asked her how she knew it was my birthday.  She shrugged and said “my mom knows stuff!”  

I had a bus safety meeting where my boss gave me a “gift”. It was bus evacuation drill paperwork.  He gave them to everyone.  Not the kind of gift I really wanted and I told him next time he better get me something much nicer.  

This evening Mallory  and Madison showed up and cooked me dinner.  We had chicken Alfredo and German chocolate  cake.  It was so sweet the way Wrenley and Evie wanted to make it a special evening for me.  I love me some grandkids 

Easton is trying so hard to be a walking man. I feel completely amazed by how fast he is growing up. 

Even the weather was great today.  For some reason, I love a chilly rainy fall day.  

I got my bus kids spider rings and candy. They were so excited.  That’s because a spider ring is one of the best and  coolest intentions ever.  

I went out to open up our drainage ditch we have on the driveway.  That is when I saw blackberries in the flower bed.  Geez I thought these were lillies. I was correct, after asking a few questions I was told they are not berries, they are just seeds.   I am not sure if they have done this before and I just don’t pay enough attention, but they are sort of cool.  

Got a new photo of Rosie.  She is adorable. I’m not sure if my mom really loves the 5 am wake up calls, but she has been doing a good job  pottying outside!  They grow up fast, I’m sure it will get better in a few weeks!  Plus, look at her face.  She can do whatever she wants.  

A couple of years ago, I planted some morning glories at the end of the driveway.  I had this idea that they would look cool climbing the rock wall.  For the most part, they have slowly started climbing and I don’t really notice the flowers because they really do only open in the morning.  I usually leave in the dark/and or when it is hot they aren’t open.  But Monday, the kids had the day off.  When I left for work, they were putting on a show.  I love them!  

When Maude sleeps on the picnic table, I think she looks  like Snoopy. She is still a lot of puppy, but she is such a sweet girl. 

Well that was everywhere. I am such a blessed person. Having family to celebrate my birthday with is just icing on the very amazing German chocolate cake!  

Thanks so much for making a girl feel so loved!  

 

Upside down weekend

It has been a sort of weird weekend. Since I am blogging on my phone, I can’t seem to get the pictures downloaded in any semblance of order, so we are just going to go with it like it is.   Easton and his car.  Such a happy guy 

We got the girls Halloween shirts when we went shopping. I told them to let me take their picture in their shirts.  This is what we got.  They keep me entertained.  

My little cherry tree that the goats partially ate is blooming.  Not sure what, if anything it means but the blooms are pretty!  

All of our boys went to the KSU game yesterday.  Easton got to experience his first tailgating day!  

It makes me laugh that they eat all the food in their trough and then have to scrounge around for every last crumb that they drop.  

Mallory and Madison took the girls to haunted put put.  They said Evelyn was pretty freaked out by the animated horror show.  Wrenley thought it was awesome. She’s just a tad bit feral. 

Easton thinks ice cream is too cold.  I love this one. So funny. 

Jim and I ran to Manhattan today to take Preston out for his  birthday lunch. It was good to see him and Sunny. We always enjoy a day in Manhappiness!

Saige attended her first debate tournament Saturday.  She went 2-2-3.  She had the affirmative position on universal healthcare. She had a lot of truly great ideas and worked really hard gathering facts and putting her case together.  I’m really proud of her trying new things and working so hard.  

Side note- we were able to get her entire outfit from a thrift store for only a few dollars. She is pretty proud of her thrift store haul! 

This girl loves her pets.  She loves hard.  

I’m cracking up at Easton’s “rocking chair”. Hey whatever works to get them to sleep right? 

Wednesday, Evie had a volleyball game.  Tatum and Cameron came to watch. When it was over, Tatum gave her some pointers and encouragement. It was very sweet.  

She has improved so much since the beginning!  Evie even got several of her serves over the net!  

Volleyball isn’t an easy sport. It’s even harder if you are small. I’m proud of her effort and the fact that she is always ready, listening and trying her hardest.  Good job kiddo!

We thought she had her final tournament yesterday, but we  were wrong. She will play next weekend instead.  More time to practice! 

As we close out the weekend, I am thankful for this little family we have!  Such good people! 

 

hump day

Look how cute my buddy is wearing his bus sweatshirt!  He is the happiest/sweetest little boy!  Hoping I can snag a snuggle soon!  

This girl is the queen of hump day!  She cracks me up.  She talked her mom into a 9 dollar knead-o and then she popped it in 3 minutes.  haha!  I don't understand the squishy thing - but I do think it is better than the 'make slime out of all your mom's kitchen ingredients' thing.  

Cameron started his new job this week.  He said it was a lot of information thrown at him all at once, but he is working with 2 former co-worker/friends and he was happy about that.  I will have to call him for more details - I was wondering how the drive to downtown is going.  Not something I would enjoy I can promise you that!  This is the photo they took for his badge - it makes him look so friendly!   (also - super stunning haircut don't you think?)

Mallory had a good day and cleared out some of her gardens.  Her flowers truly are showstopping!  

I am also going to report that last night, I noticed 10 of the 13 blackberry cuttings I did are growing leaves.  I don't know if I have ever been more excited about anything plant wise before!  I am going to have an amazing blackberry patch at some point!  I just hope I can keep them going!  I am also kidnapping some posts from Jim's fencing pile so I can start staking them up - easier to pick berries next summer!  

Monday night we had 4-H.  Saige was elected as the secretary, and Harper was elected as the club reporter.  They continue to be great assets to the club.  I am excited about this year.  I have a fabulous co-leader, some great plans and a lot of nice people who are joining the club.  It is a program that I truly believe sets kids up with skills they use for the rest of their lives.  I am also getting old and I admit I have times that I struggle with motivation.  Which is why it is so nice to have a co-leader who is so enthusiastic about things.  Saige also officially applied for her CWF trip, our last official fundraising for CWF has started, and she is excited about it.  I am excited too.....I did a little math.  I believe I have helped the kids raise $17,500 combined.  We have sent 7 of our kids to DC.  I love this trip, as I think it is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  When I am done, I think that we will have spent well over 1000 hours doing fundraisers and raised over $20,000!  This is a hat that I absolutely cannot wait to hang up!  Was it worth it?  Absolutely!  Do I hate fundraising?  Also absolutely!  

 

Uncle Tom’s day

Today was my uncle Tom’s 70th birthday. My cousins threw him a little surprise party.  When asked if he was surprised he said yes! I knew we were coming to lunch out here, but I didn’t know all of you were coming too!  

Most of my dad’s siblings were there.  We were missing uncle Leo, and aunt Leanne left before we thought to take pictures.  

They sort of look like they are being tortured. 

I also heard Tom say that it was nice to get together without anyone dying first.  Amen to that. 

After the birthday party, some of the kids came out here for Sunday dinner and football. It was a nice way to end a busy weekend. 

Me too Easton….me too!