Warm Weather Come Back…!!

I thought this picture was adorable.  The bright colors and two buddies headed out to shovel and play.  The snow was so deep KTK could barely walk when he got out by the swing set.

Nothing better than diggin' in the snow in 30 degree weather.

* So we enjoyed the great outdoors FINALLY last week. It was so nice out. I don't remember when I considered 30 degrees 'nice'  but we sure had fun playing outside!!   It is back to the freezer this week and next. Boo hiss!! C'mon Spring.

*Conversation between Eric and Kennon earlier this week
Eric-  "Kennon you are growing like a weed"
Kennon- "Nah….I'm growing like a tree Dad"

'See Mom!'  This was the day we got like 6 inches in about 2 to 3 hours

* About one week ago we turned the house upside down for over an hour at 8pm looking for Kennon's paci and blue bear  ( his beloved nighttime loves)  We NEVER found them. Literally, Eric and I looked under every crack and crevice in this house. They have yet to show up. I"m wondering if they went out in the trash accidentally.  Anyhow, we have been paci free for a week!! Way to go KTK. I did go to Target to buy another 'blue bear'. Although they didn't have any blue bears they only had brown giraffes!! So we have a new 'blue bear giraffe' as we call him.  Nap time is a bit rough still but he has slept clear through the last 3 nights I think!!  So excited.  Way to go Kennon.

The Red Wagon fared pretty well in the snow as long as people had their sidewalks cleared off. There was one house a few north of ours that hadn't cleaned their sidewalks.  It was sort of like a make shift boundary for him...perfect for a mom and dad busy shoveling. 

*Kennon has unfortunately started into the terrible 2's…..  Maddox was early into her terrible 2's…it seems Kennon is a bit late. He is a stubborn little dude.  We have learned to just ignore him and his flailing on the ground in the last couple of weeks and he eventually comes around.

We all built a HUGE 5 foot snowman the next afternoon...still warm out 32 degrees.

* Tuesday is my last official day of work.  I am super excited yet a bit scared about my new journey.  Work has actually commissioned me to stay on PRN ( on an as needed basis) to train new employees, primarily on the computer system not really patient care.  This will be a bit tough with no childcare but I"m going to try to make a go of it with various programs in the community and a new drop in daycare in the neighborhood that comes highly recommended. Training new employees is the IDEAL job for me so we'll see how it goes.

Maddox making a food color rainbow in the snow.  Next time I'll break out the spray bottles instead of just the dropper bottles.  This was the last warm day…..boo hiss...

* If you ask Maddox to draw or color she will most definitely color a rainbow. She loves her rainbows.

*Yesterday on the way home from Church School Maddox asked me if we could go to the park. I of course said 'NO it is too cold. We need Spring weather for that.'   She quickly asked 'well when are we going to have Spring weather?'  I said ( without thinking) 'when Old Man Winter gives in!'  She paused and then said 'who's Old Man Winter'. I wasn't quite sure to reply to that one so I went with God. I said we need to pray for Spring weather and that seemed to suit her :)  

Playing hide -n-seek with Dad

Kennon getting his River costume on

*Last Friday at Kindercare Kennon's room had Imagination Day. I had asked KTK earlier in the week what he wanted to be and he quickly said A RIVER??? I have no idea where he got this idea but I took it and ran with it. Eric and I were up late Thursday night cutting out these fish and turtles. I"d say he EMBRACED his costume and wore it the entire day. All the teachers thought it was a fabulous idea/costume and he won the prize!!  Kennon my imagination boy.

Pinning on the moss

Giving a hug to Pete the Cat

*Saturday Pete The Cat came to the library in costume and with lots of little craft stations. Kennon loved him right off. Maddox took a bit of warm up time but finally gave him a hug. We love Pete The Cat and he comes to the museum in March too!!

Maddox giving Pete a high five.  She later warmed up to him and gave him a hug...way to go Maddox

Kennon coloring on Pete's Red shoes

*Maddox doesn't know it yet but tomorrow night she and I have tickets to The Storybook Ball at the Family Museum.  It is apparently a big deal,  which sold out in less than a day, is suit and tie appropriate for the men and princess/ball room attire for the kids.   ( I have yet to decide what I'm going to wear) The theme this year is Alice in Wonderland.  So it is a sit down dinner and the Children's Museum dance company puts on skits, I believe, as well as the characters roam around and meet and greet the kids.  I"m not sure what to expect but I  am looking forward to some girl time with Maddox. Kennon and Eric will stay home and have pizza and beer :) or well juice boxes!!  This is the dress she is wearing. She likes the black shoes. I like the white but apparently the black are more comfortable so we'll go with those. Should be a fabulous time.

My beautiful princess Maddox

Merry Christmas 2013??…yes, behind again….Happy Valentine's Day :)

Kennon getting a big boy haircut. I told her to cut it short and she did!! I love it though and it has really lasted too. 

So as you ALL know I'm way behind on the blog. No excuse, just no time.  So I'm going back to my bullet point style which will make getting through this long post slightly easier for you and I BOTH hopefully. Enjoy (you may wish to have a cup of coffee and snack nearby to make it through) I'm not sure why the videos are at the top of the blog I tried to get them to the bottom.  

*  Maddox's new most favorite princess is Ariel from the Little Mermaid. We certainly have meeting her at the top of our list for our trip to Disney, which is now likely going to be one of the last 2 weeks in September. So excited I can barely talk about the trip without grinning from ear to ear!

*Most of you know I have resigned from VNA. My last day will be Tuesday March 4th.  I am so excited yet very scared about my new role.  But,  I won't know if I don't try and VNA is just  not a happy place for me right now. Thanks to Eric for all the number crunching, budget shifting, successful Planning Center, love of his job and most important SUPPORT in helping me make this decision. (my new job is Disney trip planner….!!)

* Kennon is my LOVER boy.  It is not uncommon for him to belt out 'I love you Mommy' first thing in the morning.  He is SOOO  independent in saying this and doesn't need me to say it first.  He also seems to be doing great at using manners, such as saying thank you and please.

* We are down to 2 pacifiers in the house. Kennon accidentally dropped 2 in the potty while seated doing his business AND talking with his paci in his mouth. I've told him if he drops the last 2 in the potty then THAT'S IT.  He is smart enough now he takes it out, and throws it on the ground before he sits to do his business to keep from losing his precious paci. I'm hopeful this summer we can ditch it all together. 

*Maddox has turned into a little singer.  This has been helped along by The Little Mermaid movie. But, she LOVES to sing to the pop songs on Sienna's radio and she is actually quite good. She can really keep the tune and has an amazing beat.  

*Maddox still loves her babies and was in a panic earlier today because we have somewhere lost Hannah, one of her dolls, in the house.  Eric brought a new 'baby doll bed' from Grandma Doris' house IE an old basket that Grandma kept magazines in, she really wanted to snuggle all 3 of her babies in for a nap.  We'll see if she turns up sometime this afternoon. She is very obsessive about them and I really can't do anything 'right' with them so I try to let her mother the dolls.  Lord knows she is already LOVING mothering her little brother. 

*With the blasted cold  weather we have been indoors much more than desired and really I think Maddox and Kennon have been playing pretty well together. They love to jump on Maddox's bed (yes…I let them…) and their newest trick is throwing/taking turns at throwing the nerf golf balls in buckets from a top the ottoman. It is great core and hand eye coordination practice :)  

*Most Saturday mornings we head to the Children's Museum. They usually have special fun activities on Saturday morning. Thank goodness for the annual membership we bought with Kennon's birthday money last summer.  

*Most Sundays mornings Eric takes the kids over to his office basement where they play, play, play. Maddox has gotten extremely good on her Pinkalicious bike from Santa and Kennon is already starting to balance on Maddox's old red balance bike. I would NOT be surprised at all if Santa brings Kennon a big boy bike for Christmas 2014.  He'll only be 3 1/2!!  Amazing. The kids LOVE to play down there and get their sillies out, which usually makes for good naps. 

*Both kids still take naps in the afternoon. I can usually count on KTK for at least 2 hours, sometimes 3 or more. Maddox is closer to 1.5 hours. I'm still hanging onto those naps for her. She seems to need it still and it doesn't seem to really affect her bedtime. 

*We were happy to get our acceptance letter to Our Savior this past week.  Maddox got into the 5 day morning 4 year old preschool and Kennon into the 3 year old 3 day morning preschool.  We SOOO love Our Savior and really the kids are always asking to go there even on the days they go to Kindercare (which won't be after March 4th….certainly as big of an adjustment for them as it is for me….I'm prepared for that….I think). So we are pretty excited about them both getting the classes that I wanted for them. Maddox will go M through F 8.45-11.45 and   Kennon M-W-F  8.45-11.45.   The teachers at Our Savior seem to really love their jobs and the compassion they provide to the kids is bar none above the Kindercare staff.  

*I was so proud of Maddox last weekend. She wrote her name on all her Valentines for Church School and Kindercare!! (34) That's a lot of Maddox's. AND I even got her to write almost all of Kennon's too!!  (40)  She was one of only like 4 kids total who wrote their own names!!  She is getting much better with her letters and is able to write the letters smaller which is a feat! 

*A while back Maddox asked me from her car seat ' Mom what do you know about that Beautiful Place?'  I assumed she was talking about Disney as we have been talking a lot about Disney, so I said 'You mean Disney?'  she was very quick to say 'No, Mom Heaven'.  Melted my heart.  She still talks about Grammy in Heaven quite often.  

*Even though I advised above that Maddox and Kennon play pretty well together they definitely have their argumentative times.  In fact Kennon is just smart enough to ask to do the exact  opposite of Maddox. If Maddox wants the music turned UP then Kennon is very quick to ask the music be turned DOWN.  I know for a fact he is doing it totally on purpose. The kid is QUICK and knows how to push his sis's buttons.  

*Eric and I are so ready for Spring.  We have been struggling to get in long runs. Luckily we have outfitted our workout room in the basement with lots of inspirational race posters, medals AND A TV!!! Lots of miles recorded so far on our monster mill. Not really certain we are going to be prepared for this year's 1/2 marathon down in St. Louis in April.  But, something tells me we'll be trudging up those hills with everyone else that hasn't gotten many runs in this year. 

*I said to Kennon and Maddox and couple of weeks before Valentine's Day  'Hurry up and eat your lunch you guys we need to get down for naps so we can go to Target after you wake up for Valentines.   Kennon replied in this totally suave voice 'Do they have girls there?'  Hah…very funny Kennon. I'm not exactly HIS meaning of that questions…..I guess we can only imagine.

*Kennon has been doing well with his pottying.  In fact it has been weeks since an accident during the day. We still use the pull ups at night and they are soaked in the morning when he wakes up.  So for now we'll keep on with them. I think this summer which it warms up we'll try to get him trained at night.

*Kennon is so much more physical than Maddox. I'm convinced that he at his younger age has more coordination than she does currently.  He is definitely going to be our sports kiddo, or at least I think. I'm excited to get him signed up for soccer this  Fall or maybe Spring.

* Maddox excels at 'mothering' or she'd probably call it teaching.  She is absolutely a hoot reading books to Kennon and I. She'll go get her blue step stool from the bathroom, pick the most complicated book (A Bad Case of the Stripes…her absolute  favorite Aunt Diane!!) and read it to us, holding the book up just like a teacher. The intonation in her voice matches the book exactly and she'll even ask Kennon and I questions about the book trying to get us to interact  It is absolutely amazing how she knows the book word for word and is able to recite it. We are so proud of her!! Love you big girl. 

*Kennon used to call Maddox 'MAX' unable to really get out the 2 syllables. He used to run through the house 'Max!! Max!!' when he wanted her attention. I just in the last last few weeks started hearing 2 syllable 'Maddox'  :(  Sad…my little guy is growing up.  Love you buddy. 

Kennon and his cheesy face at Play N Wisconsin for cousin Carter's 3rd birthday party. So fun!!! Thanks for having us Carter.  

Play N Wisconsin 

Carter and his cousins eating his birthday dinner at his new picnic table . A picnic inside is just the ticket when you have a birthday in January.  

The ONE day this year that we've been out to play in the snow. It was balmy out and the they had an absolute BALL scooping the snow and sliding down the super fast swing set slide. 

Helping mom made enchiladas . The kids really LOVE to cook….are you surprised??  

Maddox scoopin' ice cream at the museum. 

Our beautiful Christmas tree 2013

Kennon and his cousin Nicole from Cincinnati

Cousin Brandon ( who is in his second year of medical school! Way to go Brandon ) and Aunt Susie from OH

Uncle Jim and Aunt Lora bought this FUN GRAND KID game.  A basketball hoop in their basement!!!  Kennon was in heaven.  His cousin Zach ( who goes to U of Wisconsin Madison ) assisted on this shot 

Maddox sitting with all the BIG KID cousins playing boardgames. A Kies family tradition. I love it!! 

Back at it

Maddox getting the assist from cousin Meghan who goes to University of Minnesota Morris, MN. 

Rand Park lighted Christmas drive, Keokuk IA. Just down the road from Grandma Doris' house. 

Nicole is the next closest cousin in age to Maddox.  Maddox really looks up to Nicole and Nicole is always quick to look out for her and give her love and compassion. Wished we lived a little closer.  

Christmas at Aunt Lora and Uncle Jim's Keokuk, IA 

Uncle Jim and Uncle Bryan helping to rescue Maddox's new baby doll that cries….. Thanks Aunt Lora she is a staple in this house :) The perfect gift. 

My little girl…..all grown up just like a mama

Kennon was showered with tractors this Christmas. Thanks to all who added to our supply!! 

Maddox ridding her new Pinkalicious bike from Santa

Kennon ridding his new John Deere tractor  from Santa. DON'T ask Eric how long it took to put it together…..ouch!!

Maddox asked me some time in the afternoon on Christmas day 'why does Santa give us treats if you won't let us eat them mom?'  Oh….she is a smart kid.  For the record they got lots of Christmas treats in their stockings but after a couple of days they really loose interest. Guess who got to eat most of those Jelly Beans Aunt Diane?? :) 

Kennon riding the coaster at Eric's office. 

Christmas at Grandpa Jim and Grandma Jean's house

Getting a little help from Grandpa Jim. 

Grandma Jean had all kinds of fun activities planned for the kids.  Decorating gingerbread mean was a highlight.

Christmas at the Kies house….can we say PRESENTS!!

Cousin Hannah and Uncle Brian. 

Present opening time landed right in the middle of nap time so we had to get out the paci to make it through

Cousin Reid.  Such a happy boy!

Scoopin' Whitey's ice cream for snowman sundaes compliments of Aunt Diane. She's always good for kiddo activities 

Cousin Carter and his 'snowman'

Really workin' that chocolate sauce…..

Maddox singing away at her Christmas program at Kindercare 

Maddox and Kennon and their inaugural Santa sit….we waited in line on Christmas Eve…phew…. just made it under the wire. I think the picture turned out great!! 

Snack time in between bike rides at Eric's office. 

The finished product…can't tell she likes candy can ya?? 

Superbowl dancing!! 

Snack time at the Museum…random Saturday in January.  So happy to have the museum less than 10 minutes from the house  

Water table…..turn it Maddox turn it!

With the continued cold weather and missed school days I broke out the superhero masks last week!!  They were a hit.

Is she so stinkin' cute or what.  Pink cheeks and lips, dark brown hair and eyes. Love ya Maddox!!

SO I broke down and bought a camera (although I'm not really sure it is all that much better than the iPhone). Maddox wanted to try her hand….she took this one :)  Needs a little practice…but I will give her the benefit of the doubt…it really is a pretty cheap camera (it was a black Friday special…literally). Even some of the shots I take are blurry. 

Eric didn't have the most brilliant look so I cropped him out… :) 

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

Add caption

Go Hawks!


Grandma Jean and Grandpa Jim came over today for a visit. It was Grandma Jean's birthday so a special day for all!!  Cake and ice cream on the menu for sure!! Grandma Jean brought lots of fun activities as usual. The kids had a grand time and were showered with love and attention from Grandpa and Grandma.  

Maddox showing me her Valentine projects!!

Kennon took this picture…pretty good!

Happy Birthday Grandma Jean

Maddox took this one. 

Uncle Tyler labeled this one 'Candy Bandit and Valentine Pilgrim'  HAH!! LOL