Birthday Party #3

Kyson's third party of this weekend was with the family.  Kyson was so excited to have the family come and play with him.  My mom and Dennis and Gretchen weren't able to stay very long, but they were able to have cake and ice cream, see the presents, and run off.  Kyson loved playing with his cousins, but unfortunately, I wasn't on the ball as much as usual and I got very few pictures of the event.  We had a lot of fun, and the presents had two themes - bugs and transformers.  Kyson wasn't a very gracious host.  He said "thank you" for each of his presents, but he didn't seem to care too much about what was in the wrapping.  He just wanted to open presents.  I'm hoping that awareness will come by the time he turns 6 :).

Birthday Party #2

This is the first time we've had a birthday party for Kyson's friends.  It's always been family only.  Because Kyson has been invited to so many birthday parties this year, we figured that turning 5 was old enough for a party.  Because it's pretty standard to invite everyone in the preschool class, plus Kyson has friends from the neighborhood, we figured there would be at least 20 kids that we'd need to invite.  We invited 25.  I was not about to entertain 25 five-year-olds at my house so we decided to rent a place out.  While it was more than I wanted to spend, it was well worth it to take the responsibility of entertaining off of me, while keeping my house standing.

I had asked for people to RSVP so I knew how many to plan for, but I only heard back from a handful of people.  I was genuinely worried that no one would show up.  The more I talked to people, however, the general consensus was that people don't RSVP anymore.  So I assumed that anyone who I hadn't heard from would be there.  Only about half of what we planned for actually came, but it was nice that we had about 10-13 of his friends there.

We went to a place called Bouncin off the Walls which has indoor inflatables.  They had a giant slide, a bounce house, a "basketball court" area, and they even had air hockey.  Only a couple of adults stayed but most of them enjoyed the fun as well.  I think the kids really had fun - how could they not?!  I even went down the big slides and got a tickle in my tummy.  Even our former bishop was getting in on the fun.

When it came time for presents, the kids went through them so fast, I have no idea who gave him what.  I couldn't even see what he had as he opened them because there was a mob of kids tearing through the presents.  I could have had them all sit down and do it in an organized and calm manner, but they're five-year-olds.  It doesn't really matter to me.

After the day was over, we were all very tired.  On the way home, Kodi, and Kyson'e friend, Sadie, fell asleep in the car.  It was so dang cute!  All in all, I think Kyson loved his party - I know I did.

Birthday Party #1

Because the Holts are so special, they got their own private birthday party with Kyson.  On Kyson's actual birthday, we invited the Holt girls to come over for cake and ice cream and to play with Kyson.  It's a small affair, but we've done it for the past 2 years and I think Kyson really enjoys it.  I thought about inviting them to his party with all his friends, but thought they'd be bored hanging out with a bunch of kids that were younger than them.  A private rendezvous worked much better.

 They're such good sports to always come and play with my kids - and boy do my kids LOVE them.

A Beautiful Saturday

We've had some very strange weather this year but Saturday was absolutely beautiful.  It got up to the high 70s or low 80s and it was the best weekend we've had yet this year.  We definitely took advantage.

The day started with Kyson's first real soccer game and it was a lot of fun.  My parents were able to come, and  Josh was working as supervisor over all the games, so he was able to drop in every once in a while.  Kyson seems to be the favorite for throwing the ball back in bounds.  He's got a good arm, now we just need to teach him to kick.  He's always right up with the ball, but doesn't really try to kick the ball when he has the opportunity.  At least he was actually trying to play and not picking dandelions or something like that.  It was fun to watch and I look forward to seeing the next one.

After the game, we came came home and did yard work.  Kris mowed the lawn and I cleaned the grill and pulled weeds.  We both planted a tree that had died and Kris also worked on the sprinklers.  Because we kept turning on the sprinklers, Kyson got really excited and changed into swimsuit so he could run through the sprinklers - but of course, he needed his goggles because I have strange children.

The Holt girls came over and played with the kids and were so sweet to offer and help me pull weeds in the front.  It was so helpful and really cut down the time.  It's so nice to have help like that and I can't thank them enough.  The kids truly enjoy their company as well.

The day was wonderful and I don't think I could have asked for a better day - well I could have had birds and mice clean my house for me, but I won't hold my breath.  I think that only happens in fairy tales.

My Daughter, the Weirdo!

Kodi has hit a new phase in her childhood - dress-up.  It's so funny how she's suddenly turned into a girl.  She likes to carry a purse, she wants to wear dresses, she even acts like a very feminine girl.  She'll now empty her drawers and find clothes to put on.  She'll literally wear layers and layers of clothes and she always wants to make skirts out of things that are not skirts.  Kris and I have even considered emptying her drawers and going to the DI for dress-up clothes.  We're going through tons of laundry trying to keep up with her.  I guess that's part of being a girl.

Baptism

Well, Avery is the first Hansen grandchild to get baptized and it was pretty exciting to be a part of it.  I would have liked it even better if I could have seen it.  During the meeting part of it in the chapel, the kids were a little rowdy, but nothing too terrible.  I think they were typical kids.  There were, however, some grandparent age people sitting in front of us, who I don't believe are used to kids in church.  They turned around and looked at us a couple of times.

The real fun began when we were waiting to go see the baptism.  There were 9 children getting baptized and there is only one font.  We were lucky enough to be the last one so we sat in the chapel for about an extra half hour waiting for our turn.  During this waiting time, I think Kyson thought it was play time and was yelling and practically running around.  Kodi was starting to follow Kyson's terrible example and she started doing the same.  I took Kodi out, and threatened Kyson, but he didn't care too much.

When we got back to the baptismal font, Kodi was yelling about everything and I had to take her out.  I missed the baptism and was pretty disappointed about it.  I tried going back in for the confirmation but that wasn't going to happen either.  I sat out in the hall for the entire thing and couldn't help but being mad at Kodi for it.  By the next morning, Kodi had a pretty bad runny nose and Sunday night I had a terrible sore throat.  It was then that I started wondering if maybe she had a sore throat and that's why she was so terrible.  I'm not sure what the reason, but I wish I could have been there to see it.  I'm so proud of Avery though.  He's being such a good example for his brothers and cousins.

Soccer!

I've wanted to sign Kyson up for soccer for years now, but his birthday was just after the deadline when he turned 3, and I didn't know when registration was last year and missed it.  This year I was determined to sign him up and watched calendars diligently.  He's officially in soccer now and he had his first practice on Saturday.  he got to meet the coach and his team, get his jersey and play a little.  Because he's in the preschool league, all of the kids are small and inexperienced and it's hilarious to watch them play.


During their first practice you could tell none of them knew what to do.  They had a hard time even kicking the ball to each other.  After they tried a few drills, the coach decided to let them try playing to see how it went.  They missed the goal and ran all the way to the fence, then changed directions and ran to the other fence, then came back toward the field but nearly ran me over in the process.  They have no idea what they're doing - it's great.

I'm excited that Kyson will get to be part of a team, and I do think that he has a lot of potential.  He just needs to learn how to play the game.

Cute Pictures at a Party

Kyson's cousin, Avery, just turned 8 and we were invited to his birthday party.  Parties at Rusty and Amy's is the only time Kyson and Kodi have little cousins their age to play with, so they really enjoy it.  It was nothing different than any other kid party, but having that chance to play always brightens any kids day. 

 

RIP Fishy Honey

The Easter Bunny brought Kyson a fish, and it died by Monday morning.  As much as I'd love to blame it on the Easter Bunny, or Walmart, where the Easter Bunny got the fish, I do believe that I am the fish killer.  I don't know much about taking care of fish and I believe I killed it when I was getting his home ready.  I've learned a couple of things that I didn't know on Saturday night.

1)  Let the water sit at room temperature and put the fish in a bag to let the fish adjust to the temperature of the water.
2)  Put only a little bit of the tank water in at a time.  Don't just pour the fish into the water after you've put it in the bowl.
3)  Tap water is bad for fish.  I did put the water half from the faucet and half from the reverse osmosis water purifying system, but if you use any tap water, you need to treat it first.

These little pies of information would have been great to have before I killed my son's fish.  Monday night for Family Home Evening, we took the family to Petco and Kyson picked out a new fish.  Even though Kyson's fish name of Fishy Honey was so creative, we were looking forward to a better name.  I can't say this one is any better - Fishy Handsome Boy.  Hopefully I won't kill this one, but I do hope we can petition for a name change in the near future.

Easter

Easter comes but once a year and I love it and stress about it at the same time.  I think I'm one of those people who create the beautiful pictures in my head of what something should look like, then try not to get too frustrated when my happily ever after really only happens in the fairy tales.


Easter morning was so much fun!  The kids looked for their Easter baskets and found them fairly quickly.  Both Kyson and Kodi got a lot of clothes because they each need a new wardrobe with the changing season.  That is the tough thing about little kids - you have to buy new wardrobes twice a year.  Well Kodi also got a shopping cart which she loved so much she climbed inside of it, and Kyson got a fish.  Both kids were mesmerized and so excited about the fish.  We encouraged Kyson to name him Optimus Prime because he was red, but in the end, Kyson ventured out on his own and named the fish "Fishy Honey."  What a lovely name.  Kodi loved the peeps and would get one, cuddle up to it, and then bite its head off.  I hope that isn't any indication of how sensitive she'll be later on. It was a fantastic morning full of smiles and happy people.  Then we had to get ready for church.

The Easter bunny brought Kyson a 4 piece outfit with pants, a shirt, a vest and a tie.  I was so excited to see him in it.  He's never worn a tie because as a baby when I tried ties, he would nearly strangle himself trying to get them off.  I gave up and decided I'd try again when he was older.  Well he's older and I was so excited to see how handsome he'd look.  He did look handsome once I got it on him, but he cried like I was torturing him by making him wear it.  He had pouting faces when I tried to take a picture and wouldn't cooperate at all.  Kodi looked like a little princess, but wouldn't pose - I guess my expectations are too high for a two-year-old.

That afternoon we came home and took naps, then headed to my parents house for a barbecue.  Before the fun began, we took a moment to go to Komodo's grave.  Kyson remembers her surprisingly well and I'm so glad she was a part of his life for a time.  At my parents, we had hamburgers and hot dogs, but before we could have food, we had to find the eggs all over in the yard.  Because it was such a beautiful day, my mom worried the candy would melt.  My mom labels the eggs so we each have the same number and have the same things, but Kodi can't read.  As soon as she got a bag to put eggs in, she was off and had filled her bag to the top.  Kyson was a little more careful and made sure the eggs he picked up had his name on them.  Both were so fun to watch and really excited about the hunt.

We chatted, the kids played football with Josh and Kris, and the kids got Easter baskets from their aunt and uncle.  They were so excited.  By the end of the evening, the kids were full of candy and fun, and we were all ready to head home and relax for a time.