Weekend of Mixed Emotions

Friday:

Going into this weekend... I knew it would be hard. It would be emotional. A good friend and coworker was gravely ill and fighting for her life. She lost her battle on Saturday, after a brief but severe illness.

The thoughts that keep running through my head: at least she didn't suffer, at least she lived a happy life, at least she knew to eat dessert first. She had a favorite saying, "Just because they make it in your size, doesn't mean you should wear it."  Rest in peace Janna and may God bless her family and friends during this difficult time.

My saving grace:
On Saturday we spent the day at Andy's parent's house celebrating his brother's birthday. It was such a great day to be surrounded by family, telling stories, making each other laugh, watching the cousins play. 

I also put in a long distance phone call to my mama, just to hear her voice and we got an impromptu visit from our besties, Annette and Davy.  There is nothing more special than family and friends. And I hope all of mine know how much they mean to me, to us... Andy, Reagan and I wouldn't be where we are today without them.

Some pics over the weekend:

The SMS (Saturday Morning Snuggle)

Happy birthday Uncle Scotty!

Reagan's favorite activity: face painting. She loves it! And never passes up an opportunity to have her face painted... Uncle Scotty did great! I think he needs to start his own business.

The after:

It's not a trip to G&G W's without breaking out the Deere for a ride...

Selfie:

By Sunday I needed a distraction. Something to keep my mind busy. And with the perfect weather, I decided to pack up Rea and head to my happy place- Adventure Bay.  The best day for it- the pool was empty and the sun was high. So relaxing...

Five more minutes and she would have been asleep in the sun...

Our first time checking out the circus. Rea loved it but she also asked me when she could go up on stage... loves to perform!

Warms my heart- Reagan reading her new Ranger Rick while I fix supper. So sweet. (Note the size of her new 'purse,' aka one of my old bags bigger than her, and yes, it's filled with toddler treasures.)

Hope everyone had a great weekend. Remember to hold your loved ones tight and tell them how much you love them.

Playdates!

Friday night with her good buddy, Jack:

Saturday with the neighbor boy, Konner:

Sunday with her cousin Evie and friend Mimi at a bridal shower:

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Iowa State Fair 2013

Disclaimer:  We don't typically 'do' the fair. It's hot, crowded and expensive. We have gone in the past but it must have been the lure of mini donuts that clouded my judgment.

This year we had to put on our big girl panties and deal with it because as luck would have it, Rea's dance group was scheduled to dance at the fair.  We left bright and early Friday morning and it only took 30 minutes to park. Not too bad considering we left home when the rooster crowed.

Rea loved being on stage and did great dancing. That was the highlight of the trip.  I'm glad we can keep her in a hobby that she enjoys so much.

After the dancing it was time for the real reason everyone always goes to the fair, the food!  We went after the 4 major fair food groups: fried, fried, fried and a liquid.  This year we enjoyed a corndog, lemonade, cheese curds, root beer and a brat.  I searched frantically for the fried butter on a stick but it escaped me. If a certain food is so popular, why do they make it so hard to find?!

We saw the camels, the mini horses, the masses of people and Rea looked up at us and said, "Can we go home now?"  She had set her sights on a blue blow-up dolphin so daddy obliged and we exited stage left.

All in all, a successful trip!  Until next year...maybe.


See the scooter in the background? So tempting...

Ready for the stage:

Her favorite drink of choice: Lemonade.

Never met a bubble gun she didn't like.

She named him Clifford.

Wordy Wednesday~ Girls Weekend!

Last weekend we enjoyed a girls weekend with my mom, my nieces, Reagan and I before school starts.  The annual get-together is always filled with lots of laughs, funny stories, good times, and love! 

I am so proud of my nieces. They are kind, caring, empathetic and loving towards others. They do well in school and are the kind of role models I love having in Rea's life.  Even though there is an age gap, they are patient with Reagan and are so good to her. And Rea loves having them visit!

Can't wait until we do it again next year!

"Are they here yet?"
She was so excited for them to come- this was at 7:15 a.m.
A first for Miss 'I love to get my beauty sleep.'

Cheesecake Factory! It never disappoints...

Curbside hang... Did we really take a toddler shopping during tax-free weekend? Yep.

Reagan was SO excited to introduce her cousins to the pirate park...

Walking the plank...

Cooling off at our favorite ice cream shop; Over The Top:

Backyard fun:

Nice moves!

Glow sticks in the sand...very cool.

Prepping for Smurfs 2 by watching Smurfs 1 before bedtime...

A tradition! Sunday morning monkey bread session... they look so grown up here! *tear*

Snuggle time...

Quick shopping break!

We ended the festivities with a viewing of Smurfs 2... and a disappointed toddler that her gramma and cousins had to leave.  The time always flies when you're having fun! Until next time!!

My 3 days as a single parent

Last week, Andy had to travel out of town for 3 days...which is longer than I'm comfortable with. So I did the one thing I knew how to do- I made plans! Lots of plans...to keep Rea busy, to keep me busy. And a huge kudos to single parents out there who do this every day and with more than one kiddo...


Wed. night:
National Balloon Classic- Last Wed. night was family night at the National Balloon Classic so after swim lessons, Rea and I headed out to the balloon field.

Rea enjoyed face painting, a train ride, games, ice cream and seeing all the balloons, especially Gramma Alyce's balloon (Wicked) to which she thought Gramma Alyce was actually in the balloon and she wanted to ride in it with her. She was a tad disappointed that she couldn't go up high in the sky 'like an astronaut.'

It was only after we had left the balloon field and were sitting in the same spot for 35 minutes while trying to leave that I remembered why I don't do these kinds of things without Andy. He is so good at getting us in and getting us out. The traffic was horrendous. Note to self for next year: leave earlier or don't go at all! :)

Let's swim:

Making progress:

First balloon sighting:

Rainbow tiger:

It costs $700 each time they blow up the eagle. Now I know why balloons aren't my hobby, the cost and afraid of heights- not a good mix!

Thurs. night:

Girls night with our best girls! Hanging at play land, trip to the candy store, a stop at Orange Leaf- Rea's dream night with her favorite people and favorite things. Success! Almost helped with her missing daddy...


Decisions, Decisions...

Filled her candy bag:

Friday night:

Daddy is home and all is right with the world. We enjoyed a nice family night in and I may have told Andy he can't travel for the next...well, awhile. :)