What a surprise

Several months ago, while I was taking the kids to school, we were listening to the radio and the radio personalities were talking about a surprise party. Kira said, "I wish I could have a surprise party that sounds like fun." We generally do not do large birthday parties due to the timing of Kira and Keenan's birthday which fall during team football camp and/or team Pitt State Camp. However, this year, I decided we would celebrate Kira's birthday early (as her birthday is on June 15th) and Joe will be home from camp next weekend to celebrate Keenan's too (his birthday is June 10th). I took Keylee and Keenan with me to run errands and Joe was going to bring Kira to meet us for a "football pizza party." As we started down the road I told Keylee and Keenan I had a confession to make. I told them we were actually not going to a football pizza party but we were going to set up for Kira's surprise party at the Aggieville Pizza Hut. Keenan immediately started to cry and threw his football down stating, "I brought this football for nothing!" Eventually he bought into the idea but was still disappointed that the party was for Kira and not him until I reminded him of his planned and known (not surprise) party for next weekend.

Kira got a Magic 8 Ball from one of her friends for her birthday. I think the girls played with that gift the entire time. Keenan turned to me and said "I hope someone brings me an Magic 8 Ball but I hope it is a 9 Ball instead so me and Kira don't get ours mixed up."

Overall, it was s super fun night. Kira had no idea and she was so confused when the girls shouted surprise. Kira did miss her good friend Megan but she will celebrate with her next weekend at Keenan's birthday party which Keenan informed me is "no fair."

I was impressed that it truly ended up being a surprise. A party is a big secret for 8/9 year old girls to keep.

A day of planting

We finally had a free weekend so we decided to get some work done outside. Luckily, the weather cooperated and we were able to clean up the yard, plant flowers and plant the garden.

Joe and Keenan trimming up the back trees and planting the garden.

Random Lunch Hour

On my way back from lunch I noticed a really neat motorcycle in the parking lot. My office is near the mall and several down town eating locations. I figured the owner of the motorcycle was either shopping or eating or both. I thought I had a few minutes to snap a shot of this bike and send it out to friends as my own. However, it was even better than that. As I was taking the picture I saw a man approaching who appeared as if he could be the owner of the bike. I said, "I hope you don't mind I am taking a picture of your super cool bike." He said, "heck no, jump on I will take your picture on the bike." Then he proceeded to tell me all about his different motorcycles he currently owns, motorcycles that he is searching for to purchase and ones he has had and sold. I really didn't care about all that but politely smiled and nodded my head as if I was interested. I told him all I know is this bike looks like the ones I see on American Chopper.

GONE FISHING

We took advantage of the beautiful Sunday afternoon and headed to the lake to go fishing. We didn't catch any fish but we still had a great time. After fishing we decided to go to Orange Leaf which made for a perfect afternoon/evening.

Celebrating Easter at Big Cedar Lodge

For the past several years we have traveled to Big Cedar Lodge (just south of Branson, MO) to celebrate Easter. My parents meet us down there and if possible my other sisters will meet us too. We always have a great time. Generally, the kids are able to ride horses, play in The Lazy River, and have an outdoor egg hunt. This year ... not so much. In fact, it rained the entire time we were there. It rained and rained and just when we thought it might let up it rained some more. Nonetheless, we had a great time. Kira, Keenan and Keylee with the Easter Bunny after the indoor egg hunt. Imagine the madness with all the children running inside the Big Cedar Convention Center looking for eggs. Further imagine the madness with all the parents trying to snap pictures.

At times the weather was so bad they even closed the indoor pool. Kira, Keenan and Keylee were able to get some time in the pool.

Inside the main lobby area there is a place for the kids to play with Lincoln Logs.

This is a picture of the people in my family who were able to make the trip. We were glad that my sister, Tamie, and her husband, Greg, were able to make the trip.

Keylee paid close attention to the lady giving directions for the egg hunt. The lady told the children there were some golden eggs and the child who found a golden egg would get a special surprise (the golden egg was not actually golden it was more of an olive green color). After the egg hunt was over, I walked over to Keylee and looked in her basket to find that every egg in her basket was yellow. She passed up all of the other colors to get only yellow. She thought the yellow eggs were the "golden" color that the lady told the kids to find. My parents were pretty impressed with how well she listened and tried to follow the directions. I had to break the news to them that she doesn't always listen that well nor does she always follow my directions the way she followed the lady's directions for the egg hunt.

After the egg hunt the kids were able to decorate egss.

Given the constant rain, the kiddos were able to go into Branson and play indoor putt-putt golf and play at an arcade. As you can see Kira hit the lucky 1000 tickets on a game. My kids always have a great time at Big Cedar Lodge and we always enjoy spending time there with my parents.

Soccer Weekend

Kira had a soccer tournament in Hutchinson this weekend. The team played very well and ended with a second place finish. Kira played great. It is so much fun to watch her play. She continues to say that soccer is her favorite sport (until I remind her it is tennis, ha). Soccer weekends make Mondays come too fast. Kira and her team, Synergy

It won't be long until Kira is taller than I am.

When the wind blows

When the wind blows what else is there to do except blow away in Salina watching Kira play soccer. However, when we returned home the kids were able to fly a kite. Keenan had baseball practice so he and Joe had to stay back in Manhattan while I took Kira and Keylee to Salina for Kira's soccer. After baseball practice, Joe and Keenan decided to buy a kite. They attempted to fly the kite earlier in the day but the wind was too much, even for a kite.

Kira was so anxious to fly the kite that she slipped on Keenan's crocs on her way out the door. Clearly, Kira and Keenan don't wear the same size.