It has been a fun and eventful week at the Sump house. I have to say I am a bit tired. Ok, well a whole lot tired. At least I think that is what the big bags under my eyes are telling me. We survived a week of Dana being gone, getting back to school, and much structure added back into our routine. We enjoyed a little play time on the weekend and a whole lot of clean up!
Carson loves school. He was so excited the first day. He has always been ready for a new adventure. As is typical on that first day almost every parent (and in some cases both parents) in our district take their child to school. And it seems to me that they all drive separately! The parking lot was packed, however, I was early enough and didn't have to walk blocks like some parents. That was a bit overwhelming for Carson. I am sure that he wasn't expecting there to be that many people. He stayed a bit closer to me but was eager and ready. We walked the route from his coatroom to his classroom twice as we came in a different door than during open house so he was a bit confused but picked it up quickly. I had to find his place at his table for him because he was so busy looking at all the people and what other kids were doing.(....some were crying and clinging...you get the picture!)Once he sat down and started looking at books he was great. He gave me a big hug and kiss and off I went. (with a very large lump in my throat!) I held back the tears as Emma was the next to be dropped off at preschool and I didn't want to make her extra clingy. Carson came home from school starved! (he eats very slow so am sure that he didn't have enough time to finish his lunch!) The first thing he said to me when I picked him up was "Do you know what they got in there? They got a restaurant in there!" After all the talks we had about going to kindergarten....apparently he didn't remember that he would be eating lunch in the lunchroom! I about died. He is doing a really good job about telling me what they do in a day! Seems he is most excited about art, library, music and recess. Oh and, of course, lunch! The other stuff he describes as "doing some work.." when they do things in their classroom. A very successful week for our Carson!
Emma was very excited about preschool this year. She always stays a bit closer to me in new situations but going to preschool is no big deal because we have Gabi! Gabi is Emma's best friend and one of my daycare charges! Gabi is actually more like a sister and a daughter in our house. Emma can do anything when Gabi is with her. They both walked in, hung up their back packs and humored Marti and I a bit while we snapped some pictures! Emma has been confused that she goes three days this year and not two and was very distraught when on the 2nd day she didn't get to bring home her folder to show me her work. The first thing that she shares with me each day is what they ate for snack. (really I do feed my children) I can tell she misses Carson, though, because she is asking me to do more things with her and asks frequently if it is time to go get him.
Abbey started off her week a bit rough! She really felt crappy but was bound and determined that she was not going to miss any school. Especially that first few days. She said that school is great. She started Cross Country practices also. She managed to hold it up through everything each day but came home exhausted and was in bed early each night. Seems she has figured out her schedule fairly quickly and had a little home work a few nights. She hasn't decided yet what her favorite classes are. She said she needs to get to know the teachers better and find out what the class is actually about. Her cross country coach sent me some pictures of her and the group during a practice this week. She is feeling a bit better as the week closed but isn't quite back to herself. There are a lot of viruses going around from talking to others. She used the weekend to catch up on more sleep.
Jordan had a busy week. We are still trying to figure out why he is having chest tightness and breathing issues while running. Why it only happens during XC and at this time each year. He had several visits this week with a sports med Dr and they did an exertional treadmill test for exercise induced asthma. I was unable to go with him for that but Jordan claims that the Doctor said he couldn't diagnose him. I have been unable to talk with the Doctor so I am assuming that maybe the test wasn't definitive enough. They are talking about bringing the equipment out to practice and have him wear it while doing the workouts. They did give him an inhaler to use prior to exercise to see if that changes anything. But we still don't have answers. He did the annual run from Grimes to Dallas Center at 5:00am Saturday morning. 9 miles. He didn't have any problems. He said school is good and didn't seem to have much homework. He is doing it though. Our school has a website that we can check daily for grades and homework. He worked this weekend and spent time with his friends. Already talking about Homecoming which isn't for a whole month yet.
Dana spent the week in Rogers, Arkansas opening a new Kum & Go. Was one of the more trying openings as they didn't have power or water for quite a bit of the week. Was slightly angry with the construction department. Apparently, they are under a timeline and can get a bonus if they meet it so they are telling the marketing guys (Dana and his crews) that they are ready to open prematurely. I guess next weeks store in Springfield, MO is going to be much the same so Dana put the brakes on that one. He is going down on Monday for an overnight to put equipment in the store but will be home on Tuesday and then his partner will go down after Labor Day and actually get the store open. Yeah!! That means he won't be gone all next week too! He got to hear all about the first days of school on the phone. Carson even sang him the Rules of the Classroom song over the phone.
I spent this week being a drill sergeant! Trying to keep everyone on a tight schedule. It went very well. I enjoyed my day off on the first day of school. Had plenty here to do to keep me busy. I didn't make the open house for Jordan on Tuesday night as Abbey was feeling crappy and didn't want to drag the little ones out. I did have to go the the parent/student activity night where we hear about the Good Conduct Policy and the Academic Eligibility Policy. Basically....get good grades and stay out of trouble....or you won't participate in athletics. We also had the Cross Country (XC) meeting and got people signed up for Pre-race meals, Meet snacks and drinks, and working a football game in the concession stand! Next week I attend the After Prom committee meeting. Yikes....Prom! I really am not old enough to have one going to Prom!! :) It was quite an emotional week for me. Dana gone, Carson starting school, and this was the final week for Sayler to be with me for daycare. I have had her since she was 12 weeks old. Her parents have decided to put her in a daycare facility so she can be with kids her age and be in a preschool program there as well. I will miss the whole family dearly. I am lucky that they live in the neighborhood and we often do things together as adults. I am still going to be able to watch her grow. Emma will miss her a lot because Sayler loves to play dress up as much as Emma does. So Monday I begin a new adventure with another family. Brady is two and a very sweet little man! It will be fun to have another boy in the house. We were pretty female dominate. The Nelson's are new to our community and they have two older boys that go to high school. One is in Jordan's grade. I can feel that they will be a great family to work with.
We spent most of the weekend on the boat. The weather was great. Now we are working on getting back on schedule and ready for another week of school. Really looking forward to the long holiday weekend coming up! Will have lots of fun pictures to post. For now, enjoy going back to school!
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
In My Daughter's Eyes
Just before we went on vacation, my neighbor Julie took Emma and took some photos of her out by Saylorville Lake. The montage she put together for me made me bawl like a baby and I wanted to share it with you. Julie is really amazing and you have to check out her new site! www.landryannadesigns.com Get your kleenex ready!
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Summer winds down...
We must have really crammed a lot of things in this week because it feels like longer than a week since we came back from vacation. The beginning of the week started with Jordan in Colorado at Cross Country camp and the rest of us back to our regular old work week.
Jordan had a pretty good time at camp. He said the scenery was really great and the food was "too fancy...with salad served at every meal." I think that they were glad to be home. He did have some breathing issues while out there so his work outs were a bit different towards the end of the stay. He had some issues like this at the beginning of last season that we had evaluated by a cardiologist with a healthy exam so this time we are seeing a sports med doc that specializes in breathing issues with runners. He is frustrated as he just wants to train like he normally does and stay with the team. We think he might be hyperventilating during his workouts...? Will have to wait and see what this doctor thinks. This week Jordan also became gainfully employed!!!! Yeehaw!!! He started working at the Kum & Go here in town Saturday. Yeah...it helps when your dad works in the corporate office. He seemed to enjoy his first day with the exception of having to wear a tie. Doesn't fit his surfer style. However, he did cut off his hair this week so maybe the style is changing. He has had longer hair since middle school so was quite a change. I found myself staring and thinking how much older it made him look. He begins his Junior year tomorrow.
Abbey spent her week sleeping in and enjoying the last week of summer break. She did do an inservice for the staff at a local nursing home with a few others from the schools youth leadership group. There was also an open house at the middle school so she got to take her stuff and put it in her locker and meet with the cross country coach. Her first practice is tomorrow. She woke this morning feeling a little yucky and spent most of the day on the couch with a fever. She is worried that she is going to miss the first day of school. Looking perkier tonight as she got up and packed her stuff for tomorrow. She begins the 7th grade.
Carson started off the week with a flag football clinic. He was in the 5-7 year old group and was the smallest one at the clinic. Not sure he understood what was going on but it looked like he had fun. We decided, though, that we probably won't join the league this year. He had his open house on Thursday night for Kindergarten and was so excited to meet his teacher and take his supplies. He didn't even argue tonight when I put him to bed at 8:00pm. He can't wait to start school. I am struggling a little but have been trying very hard to hold it together in front of him. I don't want him to get the wrong impression. I will definitely miss him around here everyday. Today we went out on the boat for awhile and he and Jordan rode the tube so I got some pictures of him finally. He would ride it all day if we would let him.
Emma spent the week playing with her friends after being separated by vacation. She starts her second year of preschool tomorrow and was also more than willing to go to bed early. I think that summer had finally caught up to her as she napped a lot this week and was a bit more emotional. Lucky us. : )
Dana and I have been trying to sync our back to school schedules. I have spent more time this week making sure that I have stuff put on the calendar and making all parties involved aware of what needs to happen. The two of us managed to sneak away two night this week and enjoy a couple of concerts at the Iowa State Fair. Tuesday we saw 38 Special and The Charlie Daniels Band. They were really good. I could almost smell the perfume I used to wear in high school during 38 Special. Dana and I listened to them alot when we first started dating and it brought back many memories. Last night we saw Def Leppard and oh my god THEY ROCKED!!! It was an awesome show and we had the best time drinking beer and singing as loud as we could. Along with about 10,000+ other fans. We also ate our share of "fair food". Was a really great date night.
This next week finds a new school year starting and me in the single parent roll again. Dana is headed to Arkansas to open a new store. He hasn't been home for the first week of school in the last four years! I think he is doing it on purpose. I took tomorrow off to help the kids get back into the swing of it. Will have about two and a half hours all to myself in the morning. I am thinking nap but the piles on the desk tell me otherwise. The montage this week is just a few shots of the kids. (didn't get any of Abbey this week...sorry) Jordan shared some pictures from their trip. He seems to be with the girls alot.....hmmmmm?? Enjoy.
Jordan had a pretty good time at camp. He said the scenery was really great and the food was "too fancy...with salad served at every meal." I think that they were glad to be home. He did have some breathing issues while out there so his work outs were a bit different towards the end of the stay. He had some issues like this at the beginning of last season that we had evaluated by a cardiologist with a healthy exam so this time we are seeing a sports med doc that specializes in breathing issues with runners. He is frustrated as he just wants to train like he normally does and stay with the team. We think he might be hyperventilating during his workouts...? Will have to wait and see what this doctor thinks. This week Jordan also became gainfully employed!!!! Yeehaw!!! He started working at the Kum & Go here in town Saturday. Yeah...it helps when your dad works in the corporate office. He seemed to enjoy his first day with the exception of having to wear a tie. Doesn't fit his surfer style. However, he did cut off his hair this week so maybe the style is changing. He has had longer hair since middle school so was quite a change. I found myself staring and thinking how much older it made him look. He begins his Junior year tomorrow.
Abbey spent her week sleeping in and enjoying the last week of summer break. She did do an inservice for the staff at a local nursing home with a few others from the schools youth leadership group. There was also an open house at the middle school so she got to take her stuff and put it in her locker and meet with the cross country coach. Her first practice is tomorrow. She woke this morning feeling a little yucky and spent most of the day on the couch with a fever. She is worried that she is going to miss the first day of school. Looking perkier tonight as she got up and packed her stuff for tomorrow. She begins the 7th grade.
Carson started off the week with a flag football clinic. He was in the 5-7 year old group and was the smallest one at the clinic. Not sure he understood what was going on but it looked like he had fun. We decided, though, that we probably won't join the league this year. He had his open house on Thursday night for Kindergarten and was so excited to meet his teacher and take his supplies. He didn't even argue tonight when I put him to bed at 8:00pm. He can't wait to start school. I am struggling a little but have been trying very hard to hold it together in front of him. I don't want him to get the wrong impression. I will definitely miss him around here everyday. Today we went out on the boat for awhile and he and Jordan rode the tube so I got some pictures of him finally. He would ride it all day if we would let him.
Emma spent the week playing with her friends after being separated by vacation. She starts her second year of preschool tomorrow and was also more than willing to go to bed early. I think that summer had finally caught up to her as she napped a lot this week and was a bit more emotional. Lucky us. : )
Dana and I have been trying to sync our back to school schedules. I have spent more time this week making sure that I have stuff put on the calendar and making all parties involved aware of what needs to happen. The two of us managed to sneak away two night this week and enjoy a couple of concerts at the Iowa State Fair. Tuesday we saw 38 Special and The Charlie Daniels Band. They were really good. I could almost smell the perfume I used to wear in high school during 38 Special. Dana and I listened to them alot when we first started dating and it brought back many memories. Last night we saw Def Leppard and oh my god THEY ROCKED!!! It was an awesome show and we had the best time drinking beer and singing as loud as we could. Along with about 10,000+ other fans. We also ate our share of "fair food". Was a really great date night.
This next week finds a new school year starting and me in the single parent roll again. Dana is headed to Arkansas to open a new store. He hasn't been home for the first week of school in the last four years! I think he is doing it on purpose. I took tomorrow off to help the kids get back into the swing of it. Will have about two and a half hours all to myself in the morning. I am thinking nap but the piles on the desk tell me otherwise. The montage this week is just a few shots of the kids. (didn't get any of Abbey this week...sorry) Jordan shared some pictures from their trip. He seems to be with the girls alot.....hmmmmm?? Enjoy.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Great Family Fun!
Crest Lodge Resort 2008! It is our 11th year vacationing at this small family owned resort. Bob and Mary really make us feel like part of their family whenever we stay. It's what keeps us going back year after year. As a matter of fact, we already know the dates of next years vacation. We also have been vacationing with the same group from the Urbandale area for about 9 of the 11 years. Even though we live so close we love the opportunity to "catch up" each summer. This year Dana's brother Dale, his wife Deanna, her sister Debbie and our nephews, Kyle and Kody joined us for the week which made it even more fun. Dale is stationed in Fort Hood, TX and has done 2 tours in Iraq and was injured on his last deployment. We haven't seen him for two years and it was really great to spend time with them.
Most of the week was spent on our boats or in the water. The weather was extremely hot with the heat index in the 110's so we were all thankful for that water(even if it was 96 degrees). Here is a run down of the highlights for each of us.
Jordan spent his week working on his tan, spending time with Kyle and Kody, talking with Danielle, tubing, and mastering the wakeboard! Yes, you heard me correct!! On the last day of his vacation he conquered the board. Wait until you see the pictures. He is smiling in almost all of them. Having Uncle Dale give him the pointers really helped. (Even if they were some of the same things we were telling him.) Plus, Kyle and Kody were both already doing it and that was great incentive. He was not going to be outdone. Jordan's vacation was cut a day short by the Cross Country camp. He and I left Table Rock at about 1:00pm on Friday so he could get home to catch the 12:00am bus on Saturday. He spent all Friday morning wakeboarding, stayed awake on our drive home picking music for us to listen to, and texting his friends. The resort has basically no cell reception so he was trying to catch up with his posse! We were home long enough to do laundry, go buy more food for the trip, and update his Facebook page. I put him on the bus hoping he would sleep but knowing that he probably wouldn't. I haven't heard from him yet. I guess no news is good news.
Our Abbey celebrated her 13th birthday on vacation! Blows me away that she is a teenager already. We spent her special day anchored in a cove and enjoying the day with family. She received the Nintendo DS that she had been begging for since spring break and a few games for the system. She could not have been more happy. We topped off the day with fresh from the oven brownies with ice cream and chocolate dumped on top. Not a lot of fanfare but just what she wanted. She spent her week in her swim suit (like the rest of us) enjoying the water. She did a lot of tubing and after I left on Friday Uncle Dale talked her into attempting to ski. Dana put the stabilizer bar from our trainer skis onto our big skis and on the 3rd attempt Abbey skied for about 20 yards before she walked right out of the skis. She needs an in between pair. She was so proud that she had done it and I was very sad to have missed it. No pictures to document it. Abbey also loved the trip to the Go Karts and our very rain shortened day at Silver Dollar City. I guess getting to ride only two roller coasters was good enough. The sprint back to our vehicle in parking lot D wasn't.....right guys?
Carson was happy all week if it involved anything with the water. That kid just loves to swim and jump. As you have seen in previous photos that the little kids have these really cool life vests called puddlejumpers (which were the talk of the resort) and Carson's has a shark on the front of his. We had lovingly started calling him "shark bait" when we bought it for him. Somehow, that morphed into "shark bait..ooh,ah,ah" (like on Nemo) during our vacation. He would even yell it just before he would jump into the lake. Carson and Kody teased each other back and forth about that all week. He hasn't been on the tube since I dumped him in Clear Lake in June, but Kyle and Kody talked him into it after Jordan and I headed for home. No photos of that either. Carson had a great time Go Karting and riding the few rides he got to at Silver Dollar City before it poured.
Emma was all about swimming or riding in the boat. No tubing for her yet but Abbey did talk her into jumping off the dock with her while holding hands. A major step for her. We were all in that water cheering and she smiled so big. She also entertained much of the resort (remember it's small) with her singing while on the deck of our cabin. I secretly tried to take some film of her show while sitting on the sofa. You will see in the montage what looks like a bad shot but if you listen and watch carefully you will hear her and occasionally see some dance moves as she passes in front of the deck doors.
Dana enjoyed a week of no Blackberry, tubing and skiing, but mostly it was spending time with his brother that made this vacation so special. He got an occasional nap when he could. I think his least favorite thing about the week was hauling a full large cooler up and down the hill from the cabin to the boat and back. And probably when one of the boat trailer tires blew on the way home and neither Jordan or I were with. Thank goodness for Kyle and Kody who were traveling with them. He did have some strapping lads (hee hee) to help out. And thank goodness for his sharp as a tack wife...without her mind like a steal trap...he might never have remembered that he put the spare tire key on the boat key ring! Anytime, honey. :)
I just enjoyed being with my family. Not worrying about laundry, cleaning, and schedules! I got two books read, floated most of the week away on the lake, took lots of pictures of the kids doing their stuff, and drank my fair share of the Miller Lite that traveled with us! (With lots of help from the 4 other adults with me!) I had about 16 hours completely alone in our home after I dropped Jordan at the bus for camp and before Dana got home with the kids. It was the longest I had ever been alone here and it was quite strange. I didn't sleep well or even sleep in. Which was ok because Dana lovingly sent home most of the dirty laundry with me so I could get a head start. I know, I am one lucky girl! :)
Dana wasn't home with the crew but 10 minutes and Emma had stripped down and put on one of her princess dresses, Carson had started the Wii, and Abbey was stashed safely away in her room catching up on the latest Jonas Brothers music and any Miley Cyrus news. 10 minutes after that was the sound of Carson and Emma arguing and Dana asking me "Do you know where the......went?". Welcome home!
This week will mark the end of the summer as we start school on Monday. Lots of things to do. More on that with our next post. For now...vacation memories!
Most of the week was spent on our boats or in the water. The weather was extremely hot with the heat index in the 110's so we were all thankful for that water(even if it was 96 degrees). Here is a run down of the highlights for each of us.
Jordan spent his week working on his tan, spending time with Kyle and Kody, talking with Danielle, tubing, and mastering the wakeboard! Yes, you heard me correct!! On the last day of his vacation he conquered the board. Wait until you see the pictures. He is smiling in almost all of them. Having Uncle Dale give him the pointers really helped. (Even if they were some of the same things we were telling him.) Plus, Kyle and Kody were both already doing it and that was great incentive. He was not going to be outdone. Jordan's vacation was cut a day short by the Cross Country camp. He and I left Table Rock at about 1:00pm on Friday so he could get home to catch the 12:00am bus on Saturday. He spent all Friday morning wakeboarding, stayed awake on our drive home picking music for us to listen to, and texting his friends. The resort has basically no cell reception so he was trying to catch up with his posse! We were home long enough to do laundry, go buy more food for the trip, and update his Facebook page. I put him on the bus hoping he would sleep but knowing that he probably wouldn't. I haven't heard from him yet. I guess no news is good news.
Our Abbey celebrated her 13th birthday on vacation! Blows me away that she is a teenager already. We spent her special day anchored in a cove and enjoying the day with family. She received the Nintendo DS that she had been begging for since spring break and a few games for the system. She could not have been more happy. We topped off the day with fresh from the oven brownies with ice cream and chocolate dumped on top. Not a lot of fanfare but just what she wanted. She spent her week in her swim suit (like the rest of us) enjoying the water. She did a lot of tubing and after I left on Friday Uncle Dale talked her into attempting to ski. Dana put the stabilizer bar from our trainer skis onto our big skis and on the 3rd attempt Abbey skied for about 20 yards before she walked right out of the skis. She needs an in between pair. She was so proud that she had done it and I was very sad to have missed it. No pictures to document it. Abbey also loved the trip to the Go Karts and our very rain shortened day at Silver Dollar City. I guess getting to ride only two roller coasters was good enough. The sprint back to our vehicle in parking lot D wasn't.....right guys?
Carson was happy all week if it involved anything with the water. That kid just loves to swim and jump. As you have seen in previous photos that the little kids have these really cool life vests called puddlejumpers (which were the talk of the resort) and Carson's has a shark on the front of his. We had lovingly started calling him "shark bait" when we bought it for him. Somehow, that morphed into "shark bait..ooh,ah,ah" (like on Nemo) during our vacation. He would even yell it just before he would jump into the lake. Carson and Kody teased each other back and forth about that all week. He hasn't been on the tube since I dumped him in Clear Lake in June, but Kyle and Kody talked him into it after Jordan and I headed for home. No photos of that either. Carson had a great time Go Karting and riding the few rides he got to at Silver Dollar City before it poured.
Emma was all about swimming or riding in the boat. No tubing for her yet but Abbey did talk her into jumping off the dock with her while holding hands. A major step for her. We were all in that water cheering and she smiled so big. She also entertained much of the resort (remember it's small) with her singing while on the deck of our cabin. I secretly tried to take some film of her show while sitting on the sofa. You will see in the montage what looks like a bad shot but if you listen and watch carefully you will hear her and occasionally see some dance moves as she passes in front of the deck doors.
Dana enjoyed a week of no Blackberry, tubing and skiing, but mostly it was spending time with his brother that made this vacation so special. He got an occasional nap when he could. I think his least favorite thing about the week was hauling a full large cooler up and down the hill from the cabin to the boat and back. And probably when one of the boat trailer tires blew on the way home and neither Jordan or I were with. Thank goodness for Kyle and Kody who were traveling with them. He did have some strapping lads (hee hee) to help out. And thank goodness for his sharp as a tack wife...without her mind like a steal trap...he might never have remembered that he put the spare tire key on the boat key ring! Anytime, honey. :)
I just enjoyed being with my family. Not worrying about laundry, cleaning, and schedules! I got two books read, floated most of the week away on the lake, took lots of pictures of the kids doing their stuff, and drank my fair share of the Miller Lite that traveled with us! (With lots of help from the 4 other adults with me!) I had about 16 hours completely alone in our home after I dropped Jordan at the bus for camp and before Dana got home with the kids. It was the longest I had ever been alone here and it was quite strange. I didn't sleep well or even sleep in. Which was ok because Dana lovingly sent home most of the dirty laundry with me so I could get a head start. I know, I am one lucky girl! :)
Dana wasn't home with the crew but 10 minutes and Emma had stripped down and put on one of her princess dresses, Carson had started the Wii, and Abbey was stashed safely away in her room catching up on the latest Jonas Brothers music and any Miley Cyrus news. 10 minutes after that was the sound of Carson and Emma arguing and Dana asking me "Do you know where the......went?". Welcome home!
This week will mark the end of the summer as we start school on Monday. Lots of things to do. More on that with our next post. For now...vacation memories!
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