First Day of School

Kira started Third grade this year and Keenan started Kindergarten. We are so excited as Kira and Keenan both have GREAT teachers. We are looking forward to a great year.

Keenan got Mrs. Smith which is the same teacher Kira had. Joe and I were really hoping Keenan would get her. In fact, I had a lot of anxiety leading up to the day when we learned who the teacher would be as I could only imagine him with Mrs. Smith.

Stellaluna . . . . Maybe?

I put the kids down to bed at 8:30 p.m. Joe was still at his “back to football” parent meeting. I have been suffering from a cold or allergies (not sure which) so I was in bed too. Keylee was next to me and we were watching Yo Gabba Gabba (yuck) and Kira comes in with her fake sleepy eyes and says she can’t sleep. I said, “get back to bed and don’t get up you have school tomorrow.” She left the room and a split-second later she was by my bed and said “mom a bat just flew past me.” I said, “Kira please, it was probably a moth and get back to bed!” At that point the bat flew in my room and swooped right at me and Keylee. Kira hit the floor. I pulled the covers over our head and then peaked out. To my surprise, it was coming at us again. When I peeked out the second time I couldn’t find the bat and I was hoping it didn’t fly out into the main living area. Kira reported that the bat was behind the TV. I told Kira and Keylee to run out and I shut the door. I called Joe and said I need you home we have a bat in our room. He replied “a flying bat.” I said “yes, I think I can handle a baseball bat.” He came home Kira and Keylee were in hysterics. Joe assured them that now that he was home the bat would be caught. He went to the garage got the broom, put tape to the end of the broom (we know this trick from when I had the bat in my office) and he went into the room shut the door. A few minutes later, I heard a whistle and he said “one bat in a box.” We took the bat outside and let it go. Ick. I think it followed me in when I let Rosie out. I let her out about 15 min. before we first encountered the bat. On the way to school Kira said "Mom, my teachers are never going to believe the bat story." I looked at her and said "maybe we shouldn't tell your teachers that you had a bat in your house." I was thinking, oh great the first day of school and the teachers will think Kira is crazy when, in fact, the story was true. After talking to some neighbors I have learned that bats are not uncommon around here. I have one neighbor who states that they have had ten or more bats on their porch at night. I am not sure that information actually makes me feel better. I would like to think this is one isolated event. Now, I find myself on constant "bat watch." Kira and Keylee are convinced that the bat was Stellaluna. They keep asking me if it was Stellaluna and I can only reply . . . "maybe." I just need Stellaluna to know she is not welcome here.

Dodge City Days

While Joe and I were in Las Vegas the kids went to Dodge City for a week. It was Dodge City Days so there was plenty to do. My sister, Tamie, came to Manhattan and picked up the kids. They stayed a few days with her, stayed a few days with my parents (Grandma and Umpa) and spent time with Joe's parents (Grammy and Papa) too. There was so much for them to do I am convinced they didn't even have time to miss us. They brought home many stories and Kira has even requested that we move back to Dodge City. I said NO.

Dodge City Days Parade

Cooling off with a popsicle

Dodge City Days Rodeo in their Dodge City Days t-shirts

Keenan with his cousin Gage (my sister Tisha's son)

Keenan, cousin Gage, and Kira with Uncle Greg (my sister Tamie's husband) getting ready to feed the horses.

Kira told me she was in heaven being able to see the horses everyday. My sister Tamie lives in Dodge City and has horses. Kira loves horses.

Keenan with cousin Gage petting the new Philly.

Viva Las Vegas

Joe and I spent a few days in Las Vegas. The kiddos went to stay in Dodge City for a few days. We stayed at Treasure Island and had a great time.

We went to a Country Nightclub called Gilley's which was in Treasure Island. They had line dancing and a mechanical bull all of which brought us many laughs.

My high school friend and college roommate, Angie, met up with us in Vegas. It was great to spend time with her.

The last night we were there we decided to taxi down to "Old" Vegas on Freemont Street. "Old" Vegas is a very different experience than the main strip.

Slip-n-Slide Sunday

Instead of going to the pool today, we decided we would set up the slip-n-slide in the backyard. We generally do this during the summer but, for some reason, this was the first time we set it up this summer. The kids had a blast and ended the afternoon with a "hose fight" chasing each other around the backyard with the water hoses.

Keylee was a little apprehensive but she came around as the afternoon went on. Keenan never paused for a moment running full speed ahead.

Kira continued to practice the "hook slide" that her Dad taught her.

Joe started the slip sliding Sunday off with a demonstration.

SHHHHH. . . . he will not appreciate that I put his demonstration on my blog.

Potty Training

We have been struggling with Keylee's potty training. I know it will surprise many readers of this blog to know that Keylee is a bit stubborn and I am confident will only potty train on her terms. This Saturday, Keylee said she had to go potty. I told her to go into the bathroom and I would be right there. When I walked into my bedroom she had pulled her little potty chair out in front of the TV and proceeded to turn on one of her favorite shows. I guess she just wanted to make herself comfortable. Oh ya, she never did potty.......

FUTURE INDIAN FOOTBALL CAMP

Keenan attended the first Future Indian Football Camp. Joe decided he was going to organize a youth football camp this year (and hopefully every year) to get the youth excited about playing for Manhattan High School Indians. Keenan loved the camp but his favorite part was helping his Dad set up for camp. I asked him about camp and he talked about filling water bottles and riding on the Gator with his Dad to set up cones. When I asked him about the different stations and drills they did he said "oh ya, that was fun too." Keenan doing the 40 yard sprint/run. I asked him how many he had to run and he said "five." I said "well I am sure Dad's players wish they only had to run five because on Thursdays they run 50 - 40s." He looked at me with the biggest smile.