May 2017 - Garrison Graduates from Pre-School/End of Soccer

Thursday, we traveled to Overland Park to Garrison's pre-school graduation ceremony at Lakewood Middle School.  He did a great job walking in to Pomp and Circumstance with his class, singing their special song and smiling throughout the activities.  We all went out for Orange Leaf (ice cream) after the ceremony.  When did he grow up so much?????

Saturday morning, we went back to Overland Park.  Amanda and I took Peyton to her dance class - the guys went to soccer, where Amanda and I met them.  Garrison did a great job at his soccer match, scoring a goal and being very excited throughout.  Amanda had to leave early to pick up Peyton at dance - Chad had to leave early to get ready for the t-ball game at 10:30 (he's the coach), so we stayed to the end of the game with Garrison.  After he had his snacks, we transformed him into a t-ball player from a soccer player in the back of the van - changing his clothes, etc., then we went over to the t-ball fields and met up with the rest of the family.  Garrison started out as catcher and looked so cute with all his gear on.  He had some good hits and enjoyed the game.   Chad does a great job coaching.

After the game, we all went to Dave and Busters for lunch and arcade fun.  The kids loved it - the food was good.  We brought the kids home with us for overnight.  Peyton wanted to go see Miss Kelly's kittens and bunnies and Garrison had seen them the weekend before when he came to Clinton without Peyton, so Peyton and I went out to see the animals.  She had a great time holding the kittens and fell in love.  Miss Kelly offered to let her take home one or four, but Peyton said Mom wouldn't like it, so we left them there.

On our way home from the country, we stopped at Wendy's for kids meals for the kids.  We then fixed chocolate covered strawberries for dessert - they had a great time dipping them in the chocolate - Peyton put strawberry syrup on hers, Garrison put sprinkles on his.  Showers and then time for bed - we had planned to do some painting and salt art, but we didn't have time.

Sunday morning, we went to church - had donut time at church - then back to Overland Park.  We dropped the kids off at the movie theatre for the kids to watch a movie with Amanda and some PTA friends.  We went over to their house for a bit.  Then we all went to Garrison's final soccer match of the season.  He received a medal and we had pictures with his team.  He was so happy.

Amanda, the kids and us went to Dickey's BBQ for a quick bite to eat before we drove home.  A quick and busy weekend, but we loved every minute.  We are blessed.

To Alaska on Tuesday-the following Wednesday.

Mother's Day Weekend 2017

I headed to Overland Park early Friday morning.  Amanda and I had a great day shopping, and she took me to lunch at Olive Garden for our annual mother/daughter, Mother's Day day!  The day was awesome - I love being with her.  We picked up both the kids at school.  That evening, the kids and I picked up food at Burger King, including Fruit Loops shakes (yuck, but they liked it) and headed to the Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead playground.  It was great eating outside and having the lovely playground equipment for them to have fun on.  While we were there, Amanda and Chad attended a 50th birthday party/dinner for one of Chad's golfing buddies, Patrick, at a local restaurant.

I spent the night, and on Saturday morning Amanda and I took Peyton to dance, then Chad and Garrison met Amanda at the post office to get Garrison's passport updated.  Amanda and I also snuck in a little shopping at Kohl's.  After lunch, Garrison and Chad went to t-ball practice.  I picked up Garrison at the ballfields, and we headed to Clinton.  Peyton stayed home this time, as she was going to a birthday party sleepover Saturday night.  Amanda and Chad were going to a neighbor's party who just received his MBA.

When we got to Clinton, Garrison and I went to Miss Kelly's house to see the new (9) baby bunnies and kittens (4).  Garrison was excited to see them and held a kitten who were quite a bit bigger than the bunnies.  Then we met Grandpa at the Rotary Building for the Rotary Fish Fry (we took a Happy Meal from McDonald's for Garrison to eat - he said he only likes cod fish and fish sticks - too funny). We had a good time visiting with friends.  Home to play and watch a little bit of a Pokemon movie before bed.

Up early on Sunday morning to head back to Overland Park - met Amanda/Chad/Peyton at The Gaslight Grill for Mother's Day Brunch.  Chad had planned the entire thing by himself - so sweet of him.  It was a delicious meal, and we had fun.  Then we headed home for a relaxing Sunday in the AC - it is warming up!!!

On this Mother's Day, I miss Mom so much - but really no more than any other day - I miss her and think of her all the time.  Sometimes I feel her watching over me - I hope she is proud of me.  Happy Mother's Day to you Mom, in heaven.  Give Daddy a hug for me, and know you were the best mother ever!!!!  I love you!

We are blessed.

Peyton's First Communion and More May 2017

Friday, May 5 our day started at Dr. Browne's office for my one-year checkup on my knee replacement.  I received a glowing report - good range of motion - great straightening - come back in 5 years!  Ron and I had lunch at The Salty Iguana.  We picked up both kids at their schools and met Amanda at home where she picked up Peyton and went to the school where Peyton was going to dance that evening.  The rest of us joined them around 6 p.m.  Peyton did a great job dancing with her TiniTainers Dance Group.  They enjoyed the dog show there, and Garrison loved the cotton candy and his blue tongue.

Saturday morning, we all went to Garrison's soccer match, and then Amanda took Peyton to First Communion practice at the church.  We all went to lunch at The Blue Moose.  In the afternoon, the girls went to get mani-pedis (Grammy watched), an the guys went to Garrison's t-ball practice (Chad is the Coach).  That evening, Amanda and had ran a few errands, went to dinner and a movie.  We took the little kids to Burger King for play and dinner.  Peyton baked cherry coffee cake for our breakfast the next day.

Sunday we ate the cherry coffee cake which was very yummy!  We fixed a few items for the after party, and then we all went to Peyton's First Communion Ceremony at The Church of the Ascension. Peyton was beautiful, and we were very proud of her and her dedication to the church.  We all enjoyed snacks and cake after the church service back at the Todds home.

It was a family-packed weekend, and we felt very blessed to be a part of all the activities.