Time to 'Ketchup'

I remember in Elementary School, (I can't remember the teacher) running back into a class and seeing a poster of a big red bottle of ketchup leaning up agains the chalkboard.  That was our clue that we had  a few minutes to 'ketchup' on unfinished work...well, today, I am playing ketchup.  I was without a computer for nearly a month and have lots to blog about, hopefully, I'll get up to speed shortly!

Here's another "Kristy-Doesn't-Quite-Have-It-All-Together" story for your enjoyment...

As usual, Ryan helped his dad with harvest this year.  I love harvest time. I grew up taking supper to my Dad out in the field.  I loved it.  Something about the cool air, the sound of the combine, the smell of corn dust, I just can't explain it.  Since Ryan wasn't able to be home for dinners every night, the kids and I took dinner to him. 

This particular Saturday, the kids were excited to pack their own lunchboxes.  They wanted to be responsible for their own, I would pack Daddy's and mine.  We drove out to Ryan's parents' and put our blanket on the still-green grass.  The kids started chomping away, while I got Ryan's lunch.  Or should say, while I looked for Ryan's lunch. 

My heart sunk.  I had forgotten Ryan's lunch on the kitchen counter!  I had packed myself some leftover potato soup...so handed that over to Ry and promised I'd go back to town and get his.  We let the kids eat and then went for Dad's food...



So, here is a wonderful picture of my besties on the, as I like to be reminded,

 "Day I Forgot Dad's Lunch."

Phew!!!

I made it.  Three WEEKS without a computer.  Hard.  Surprisingly hard. 

Alot of things to blog about from those three weeks,  I'll get on that soon... but for now here are just a few pictures from our weekend in Kansas City for Trudi's wedding. 

My handsome men & gorgeous girl!

The kids and their cousins + Aunt Trudi's new niece, Trella.

The dancing queens!

THIS is My Award

Remember a few days ago, I admitted I will not be receiving the Mom of the Year Award? 

Well, I may not get an award...but I often do get a reward.

Rewards like...

"Ubba Mom!"
"You're the best cooker Mom!"
"Let's read a book, Mom."
"Mom, I love it when I come home from school and my room is picked up!"
"Mom would you love to rock me?"
"Mom, come sit by me and hold my hand."
"Wanna go play baseball, Mom?"
"Come lay on the floor with me, Mom."
"Want to go play with my dollhouse?"
"I will go to the store with you, Mom!"
"Mom, pretend we are the kids and you are the mom, let's play house."  {I know...it's a   s t r e t c h!}  =)
"Want to color with me, Mom?"

and...
Kisses without asking,
Tight hugs,
Little fingers patting my back as I carry a baby to bed,
Big smiles...

Sometimes, I even get acknowledged publicly...like in a certain-someone's First Grade Journal! 

This entry is now copied, colored, framed & hung in the kitchen! Doesn't it sound like she thinks she is supposed to be doing the laundry...but I'm doing it FOR her!?  Breaks my heart.

This is the entry the day after the 'Early Dismissal Mishap."  She 'drawed' rainbows on the board and had Winnie the Pooh cupcakes for Dig's birthday after school.

This one is from the day I left to go to Ryan's sister's bachelorette party in Kansas City.

When she says 'I get to sleep with my Dad and stuf amanals,' she means ALOT of 'stuf amanals!' See for yourself... this picture is from February, but it's what happens everytime I'm gone overnight.  Somehow 3 people also sleep in there?!

Oh, P.S.

So as you can see... I'm rewarded Big time.

Mom of the Year Award

I will not be the recipient. 

It all happened on Dig's birthday.  It was Wednesday, Lane doesn't have school on Wednesdays.  Once a month South Hardin Schools let out early on Wednesdays for Teacher In-Services.  I knew this.  I even knew what time Drue was going to be let out.  1:55.  It said so, right on the purple weekly calendar Mrs. Bronzynski sent home. 

That morning Lane and I were busy making frosted cookies for his birthday snack for AWANA.  Ok, he was busy playing with new toys the UPS man delivered to him from Uncle Steve, I was busy making cookies.  We went to Mom and Dad's for lunch and birthday cupcakes.  I stayed around talking to Dad, all the time knowing I'd need to get Drue in a little bit.  I usually set the alarm on my phone to make sure I leave on time.  Today, however, my phone was dead so I left it in the car charging.

1:15 the phone rings.  Dad answered, "oh geesh!" and hands me the phone. It was Ryan.

"Do you know your daughter is the last one at school.  Did you forget she gets out early?  They've been calling you and left a message at home and finally got a hold of me in Algona!"

I explained that, yes, infact, I did know she gets out at 1:55.  The calendar said so!  He corrected me and said they got out at 12:55.  Lane and I walked to Mom & Dad's so I hung up the phone, yelled that I'd be back to get Dig.  I guess my brother told my dad, "the school better hope the calendar said 12:55 or they're going to have one mad mom on their hands!"  He knows his sister! 

I ran across the yards to our house, jumped in the car and drove way too fast to get to my baby.  I envisioned lots of tears and anger towards her momma...she'd been waiting for me for TWENTY minutes, which to a 6 year-old is all the time in the world!

I ran in the school, scanned the office, asked the nurse, since I guess she is who called.  She told me Drue was down in her classroom with Mrs. B.  I ran down the stairs and was met in the hall by Mrs. B and DD.  I apologized saying, I must have read the calendar wrong, blah, blah, blah.  My adrenaline was pumping away, I was so sad that I had messed up and let Drue down.

Then Mrs. B. told me it was actually her fault. 

Thank goodness!  I was feeling like a terrible mom!

Evidently, Mrs. B copied the weekly calendar on purple paper and passed them out to the kids.  Somehow, she realized there was a mistake on it and made new calendars with the correct dismissal time on GREEN paper.  She said there were a few girls that thought they liked the purple paper better and didn't 'trade' for the new, correct green one.  Drue wasn't the only one.  At least one other girl had to wait for her mom to get her also.  Mrs. Bronzynski let the two of them draw rainbows on the white board and gave Drue hugs to ease her nervousness. Drue had cried a little when she ran outside and realized I wasn't there. Then she waited outside for me, which she usually doesn't have to do.  I'm always waiting in line for her at least 15 minutes before school dismisses and she is ALWAYS the first kid (other than those who ride a bus) out of the building...never fails! 

Mrs. B. made sure it was not a scary situation and Drue actually enjoyed her alone time with her teacher....but I couldn't stop apologizing!  Drue finally said, "Mom!  It was really a mistake.  I know you're sorry!"

Mom of the Year Award?  Maybe next year. 

{Almost} Wordless Wednesday

I can't stop giggling when I see this one!  =)

Dayton Rodeo

Labor Day isn't Labor Day if we don't go to Grandma & Grandpa Larson's house in Dayton.  This year we went over Sunday for lunch and stayed for the Rodeo at 7. My aunt & uncle were home from Texas and it was my aunt Aimee's first rodeo.  We sat on the steep hill watching crazy men ride crazy bulls and the kids drank pop and ate popcorn.  Uncle Shawn and KK were there, too. 

We drove home and woke up early the next morning to get back to Dayton for the parade Monday.  Good grief do the kids get candy! It also helps that your great-grandpa knows everyone in the town and parade. In fact, our kids don't have to work very hard to get any candy. He literally stops the parade to talk to the person in it and asks for candy, they hand it to Grandpa John, he dumps it in the kids' bag!  Easy as that!  The kids made out very well!  So will our dentist, eventually. 

See who is closer to the parade...not the kids.  =)

Another fun thing about Labor Day is we usually run into some of our extended family.  My Uncle Ted's  ( grandma Ilene's brother...the Semprini's) family was all home and we tried to get a goup picture....can I tell you that we are one LOUD bunch!  Holy Cow! 

Cousins:  My Aunt Cindy, Cousin John Semprini, Cousin Jill Semprini Nehman, Uncle Mike standing on his tip toes, Mom, Cousin Joe Semprini and Cousin Julie Neal.  We were missing Uncle Jim and Cousin Jeff.

This is just Uncle Ted's & Grandma Ilene's family...and we're not all here...

and yes, I could name everyone if you asked.  =)

We're going to plan a big party for next year's get together...Watch out Dayton!!



Hearing Voices

Dig decided to take Rainbow Sherbert cups to Preschool for his birthday snack.  New rule, "no homemade snacks.  Everything must be prepackaged and whole."  Boring.  I was bummed we couldn't make fun cupcakes for fancy cookies, but Lane was happy taking sherbert.  Anyhoo...Lane was so excited to take them that he ate one on the way home from the grocery store.  I just happened to have a few extra Sporks in the console...always prepared. 

The checkout lady had been talking about how it won't be long before we put our Christmas decorations out. 

Lane says to me, "Mom, I just heard a little kitty in my head, it said, 'ChristmaaaaaS!' (in a high pitch)  and do you know I've heard Jesus talking in my head before?"

I begin to tell him how I think that is very special and ask him what Jesus said...

then Lane said,

"Well, I think it was Jesus, or maybe it was Darth Vader...I get those 2 voices confused."