Eclipse 2017 and Ron's Birthday

On Monday, I went to the bank and enjoyed the Eclipse of 2017 - probably 90% in Clinton, with Ron, equipped with our eclipse glasses.   Thursday was Ron's 65th birthday.  The girls at the bank decorated his office with "black" everywhere and pictures that I sent them of Ron as a baby, boy, etc.

On his birthday, Ron and I left very early to go to Overland Park for the day - he had a continuing ed insurance class all day, and I ran errands and spent some time at Amanda's.  I picked him up for his birthday lunch at Joy Wok - yummy!!!!

On Friday, we picked up my 2017 Dodge Journey - my first new vehicle in YEARS.  We drove it to Overland Park Saturday morning in time to get to Garrison's soccer match at 8 a.m. - he played so well.  We all went out to brunch at First Watch before his coach pitch game at Noon - Chad is his Coach.  He got 2 hits and played a great game!  Amanda and Chad ran errands in the afternoon while we stayed with the kids.  Peyton and I played War and Trash (card games) and made her some shorts from old jeans and a bleach gel to put decorations on the shorts (thanks You Tube Kids).  She had a great time doing it.  Amanda and Chad went to a fundraiser at Deanna Rose with a few other couples, and we took the kids to Burger King (always their choice) for gourmet dinner and playing in the play room.

On Sunday morning, Amanda went to Lamars for donuts while  Peyton and I finished up her shorts.  They didn't bleach as much as we had hoped - we are going to try again later.  We all went to the soccer fields for GArrison's learning team match, however, it was called off due to lightening in the area, so we came on home.  We then went to Los Compadres upon getting back to Clinton for lunch and to celebrate our anniversary which is next Thursday - #44.

A wonderful week of great memories - we are blessed.

Grammy Days/School Starts/Early BD for Grandpa

On Monday, I went to OP for the kids' last two days of summer before school started on Wednesday.  We went to Scheels to ride the ferris wheel and for the kids to bowl, went on an adventure to find solar eclipse glasses, finally running them down at Johnson County Community College, ate at Burger King and Freddy's, went to Garrison's first coach pitch game (he got 2 hits), and just had a great time.

The kids started school - Garrison is in kindergarten - Mrs. Ernst is his teacher (she was Peyton's teacher for kindergarten) - Peyton is in 3rd grade - Mrs. Porter is her teacher.  Amanda and Chad both took them to their first day of school.  

On Friday, I went for my birthday outing day (late) with Debbie Sieger.  We went to the Raymore/Belton area to garage sales, did some shopping and had lunch at Coach's Bar and Grill in Overland Park.  Fun day.

Came home to a shattered storm door - evidently the mowing people threw a rock and it broke the door.  They are covering the cost of the new door.  Handyman took the old one down and ordered us a new one - it's always something.

On Saturday, we went to Garrison's park and rec soccer match - he scored 3 goals!  He is really looking like he knows what he is doing.  Chad was playing in a golf tournament, so Amanda, Peyton, Garrison and us went to The Salty Iguana for lunch and then around 3 we all went to Merle and Debbie's for a mini family reunion since Brenda and Bryan were in town for the eclipse.  Later that night Amanda/family went to their neighborhood annual party.

On Sunday, we skipped church and went back to OP to see Garrison play with his new soccer team - more of a learning situation than actual game - practiced skills, etc.  He did well!  Then Amanda, the kids and us went to Olive Garden for lunch for an early birthday lunch for Grandpa.

A week full of making memories.

Time with Grammy before School 2017

What an awesome week!  On Monday, I went to Overland Park mid-morning.  Amanda had the day off before flying to Seattle for work for the week.  We took Peyton to tap dance class, then we dropped Amanda's car off to be repaired.  Picked up Peyton - had some treats at McDonald's - then the kids and I took Amanda to the airport.  That evening, Garrison and Chad went to soccer practice.  Peyton and I shopped at Sam's Club - she had a fun time.

On Tuesday, Miss Kelly joined us for a trip to the Kansas City Zoo.   It was a beautiful, unseasonably comfortable day with no humidity - great day for the zoo.  We rode the tram, the sky tram and saw all the animals.  We had lunch at the Tuxedo Grill.  The kids had fun picking out a stuffed animal in the gift shop before we left around 1:30 p.m.  A fun day!!!!

On Wednesday, we played games and had a good morning.  We went to Burger King for play and lunch before the kids went with me to see Dr. Browne about my "good" knee.  He gave me a cortisone shot in it which took the pain I had been having away - yay!  Waiting on insurance to approve gel shots.  They were so good at the doctor's office.  Chad was going to be late from work, so he texted me and asked me to take Garrison to his soccer practice at 6:30 - but - it rained with thunder, so the practice was cancelled.  The kids and I headed to Clinton around 6 p.m. instead of 7:30 p.m. after soccer practice!

On Thursday, we went to the bank to see Grandpa for a few minutes and ran errands - to Aldi (they were amazed you had to "rent" the cart for .25 cents, and to Country Mart.  They have small carts, so they pushed their individual carts and got to choose their own flavor of ice cream and waffles.  Cookies too of course.  We had fun.  We had a picnic in the living room for lunch.  After his doctor's appointment and Rotary lunch, Grandpa joined us for the afternoon.  Peyton and I made Gak - she had found the recipe on You Tube Kids - it turned out great.  Then we went to Walmart to buy glue and supplies to make Gak at her Back to School Sleepover she was having at home on Saturday evening.  She is so grown up and fun now!  Peyton wanted Taco Bell and Garrison wanted a Happy Meal from McDonald's, so Grandpa and Peyton ran to the fast food alley to pick up our dinner.

Friday we made chocolate chocolate chip muffins, played Old Maid and other games, had a gymnastics contest in the basement and enjoyed the morning.  Grandpa came home for lunch.  The kids and I went to the Missouri Conservation Office in Clinton to see the snakes and turtles.  The kids had such a good time and TALKED and talked and talked to the lady there showing us the creatures!  They not only answered her questions, they initiated conversation - it was so cool to witness.  Then they wanted to go spend a little time with Grandpa at his office at the bank before we headed to Overland Park to take them home.  They had a blast and talked to all the ladies at Grandpa's bank!!!  I stopped at Sonic to get them chocolate milk shakes for their ride home - they loved them!

They had missed their Mommy so much and were so happy when she returned home from the airport.  Ron and I stopped at Freddy's for a quick bite before driving home.  The house seemed so quiet when we arrived home - no kids!!!  It was such a wonderful, memorable week - and I loved it!!!!

On Saturday, Ron payed golf with friends, and after getting my chores done, I didn't do much - lounged in the recliner and watched TV.  On Sunday, we went to church - I fixed homemade chicken pot pie for lunch - we went to Walmart - I went to Goodys and got 5 pair of capris for $10!!!!  I was so psyched - what a bargain.  Then we went to Wendy's for frosties .50 each for our dessert.

It was a sad week in our town this week.  37 year old police officer, Gary Michael, was murdered on Sunday night.  The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday.  The funeral was Saturday with over 1,000 people in attendance - police officers from all over the State and from neighboring states.  Flags were up all over town - he was not only a police officer (first ever killed in the line of duty in Clinton) but a US Army Veteran.  Peyton was very into putting her thoughts down on paper about the event - 12 pages - her thoughts were very mature and helped her heal.  We were very proud of her.

I get two more days with my little angels this week - back to Overland Park tomorrow morning - can't wait!!!  I'm so excited.  They start school on Wednesday.  God is good!

We are blessed.

Grammy and Peyton/Grammy and Garrison Days - and Farewell to Apollo

It's been a busy week.  I went to Overland Park on Wednesday for Grammy and Garrison Day - we started our day at Dave and Busters playing video and arcade games.  Garrison had a great time and made enough points/tickets to "buy" Minion Walkie Talkies - he was thrilled.  He chose to have lunch at McDonald's and enjoyed getting the toys from happy meals.  Then we went to Scheels and bought him Under Armor Tennis Shoes for school before riding the ferris wheel and bowling.  He also wanted to buy taffy.  Then we went to the pool to swim as the last activity of his "day".

That evening, Peyton, Amanda and I went to Cheddar's for dinner before attending the Dancing With the Stars Tour Show at the Midland Theatre.  It was a great show and we had a good time.

On Thursday, it was Peyton and Grammy Day.  She wanted to shop, so we went to Target, Scheels (and she rode the ferris wheel), Oak Park Mall - Justice, Claires, Dillards, etc. - and she wanted to eat lunch at the food court there (Subway) - and Academy Sports.  She found new pajamas, and various other items.  We had a great time.

On Friday, Ron and I went to the Royals Game with the Rotary Club.

On Sunday, it was time to say goodbye to Apollo - he had issues during the night and lost his vision and could no longer stand.  Chad, Amanda, Peyton and Garrison took him to the animal hospital where the decision was made to let him go.  Amanda and the kids called me, and we all had a good cry.  He had a great life - lived almost 14 years - and it was not fair to him to let him suffer.  It's hard to imagine him not being with us - he's now with Murray and Lenny.