Mama's Sweet Peas

I'm not going to lie.......

we take A LOT of pictures of Ribbie. I mean. A LOT. We can't help it. Brian is just as bad. He sends me probably more pictures of Ribbie than the kids. We just love him. So I'll share them here too.

This is him wanting my attention while I work.

Sister is always covering him up with blankets

This was at a ballgame. I think he was ready to go home.

And most of these are AFTER a day of Playcare. He is always so tired after playing with his friends all day.

just to prove that we also take pictures of our kids when they sleep.
this is the true sleeping beauty

last day of school and other happenings

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR 2015/2016 SCHOOL YEAR!!!!

I know EVERYONE says this, but seriously, where did this year go? I cannot believe Beau will be in 8th grade. Bren in 3rd grade. Wow.

Really, we couldn't have asked for a better year for the kids. Brenley's teacher was a sincere gift from God. I was SO NERVOUS this year having moved her to a different school, and with her speech....I just hoped I wouldn't take her 3 steps back. But I knew that I loved Maize South Elementary because of their Leader in Me program, and selfishly, it was so much closer to the house......but little did I know we would end up with the perfect teacher for Brenley. There was a mutual love and respect between Bren and Ms. Harden. We did our best to spoil Ms. Harden and let her know how much we cared for her. She was and is probably one of the best teachers either child has had so far.

Brenley thrived this year. Her reading is off the charts. The Librarian loved her. She made new friends. Got involved in the school speech therapy program. She sang in her grade school program. Gave a presentation for the Lighthouse School testing. Perfect attendance. She adjusted very well to the YMCA after school program. Ms. Lisa loved her. The list goes on and on. She is amazing. Always wanting a challenge. Always wanting to do better, follow the rules, helps friend, helps teachers......she's a good one.

And Beau......well, he needs a push from time to time, but also a very good (and smart) kid. Once we finally figured out the push in math he needed, he brought his B up to an A. That same math teacher nominated him for Student of the Month, and he was voted on by several teachers and got the award! Several teachers wrote, "outstanding student" or "great kid" on his report cards and evaluations. His Teen Leadership teacher (she is all of 24 years old maybe), LOVED him, but he was enamored with her because she was married to a minor league baseball player. He really liked his classes this year, and is a great leader within his peer group. Would have had perfect attendance except for the ONE HOUR we took him out of PE class for an eye (contacts) appointment. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? But he did so well in school, and we are happy with how hard he worked and stayed on top of things.

Either way, we may push our kids a little hard and stay on top of them.....but we have great kids. So so so so so proud of them.

Bren before her field day

Tug of war at Bren's field trip day

Mother's Day

It's always a good Mother's Day when I get to see my Momma. It was a nice weekend. The kids actually stayed in Garber Saturday night, so I woke up to spend my Mother's Day morning with my fur baby, after Brian went out and bought me my favorite Panera breakfast. My fur baby is waiting for his turn to eat here.

And here is my mom and dad opening their presents, with a little help of Bren. We also celebrated my Dad's 70th birthday, which was also a nice treat. I love my Mom and Dad so very much. Nothing I wouldn't do for them.

Mom and Sis

the entire crew including the pups

opening birthday cards and presents

Then on Sunday afternoon we met them halfway for lunch at Braum's.

Mother's Day lunch at Braums. Our Beau and his picture taking skills......sigh

Love love love this one

Selfie with the parents

the roses they brought me for mother's day

Track

Beau finished his first year of track and we were super proud of him for 1) wanting to try out and 2) working hard on getting better. I don't think it was everything he wanted it to be, but by the last meet, he threw some personal records in both discuss and shot put, so we were happy it ended on a good note from him - even if he didn't medal this year.

Love this shot that a friend of ours took.

track buddies

March of Dimes Walk 2016

Year #13 for us. Proud of that accomplishment as we have been fundraising and walking for the March of Dimes for 13 years. It has changed from Topeka to Wichita, and from venue to venue. And with baseball tourney's sometimes complicating matters......and this particular weekend we had rain......we still managed to get it in. This year dogs were invited, so of course, we took our fur baby.

Ribby meeting Wu Shock

Ribby not liking Wu Shock

Face painting!

Final project

My preemie. Purple beads meant premature baby.

Orange beads meant full term baby.

Trip to Stillwater

So in the middle of the hectic last few months, we did have an open weekend in April where we headed to Stillwater to give the two Pistol Pete's their custom cowboy boots - made by Ariat. We also took in an OSU baseball game and ate at our favorite places. Always a good time in Stillwater, Oklahoma!!

Game vs TCU

Beautiful day for some baseball!

Me and the Pete's

Bren's School Field Trip to the ZOO

Starting to wind down the year and the beloved school field trip this year was to the Sedgwick County Zoo!

Daddy volunteered to go and help parent a group of kids. He had no idea every other school in the district would also be there on a field trip when he arrived. LOTS of kids to filter through, but he found his group, found his daughter, and they were off.