Build and Grow

Every Saturday Lowe's has a new Build and Grow project at their store. It's truly marketing genius. We aren't really partial to one hardware store, but we get in the habit of frequenting one over another and then continue with that store until something pulls us to another. This might just be that something.

We needed supplies for the mailbox. Normally, we would just pop on into Menards and call it a day. But, I saw this race car project on the Lowe's site and decided maybe we would head over there instead. Gives the kids incentive for being good and hopefully makes the trip more enjoyable for everyone. It definitely worked this time. We helped the boys make the race cars in about 10 minutes.

Even though the project is for kids a little older both boys had fun. Nick did a good job with just a little help from Dad. I had to help Zander quite a bit, but it was still a good time.






Doesn't he look so proud?


Nick loved his new little race car so much he drove it all around the store. I didn't even mind that he was on the floor.


Zander was a little sleepy and plenty content to just sit in the cart and play.

Working hard

Mike spent Memorial Day weekend working outside. Of course Nick had to get in the way help. Part of helping was doing everything just like Dad. So, when Mike took off his shirt Nick had to follow suit.




Seriously, that is some bright white skin. Zander got in on this too, but I had already put the camera away. He looked so cute with his big ol' belly hanging out for the world to see.

And Nick must have done something right. Our new mailbox looks absolutely wonderful.

Sand castles

Most people go to our local arboretum to enjoy the beautiful flowers that volunteers work so hard to keep growing year after year. And my boys looked at those -- for about 30 seconds. They searched for fish in the two little pond areas and walked the paths looking for an adventure. But mostly, they just wanted to sit with their dad in the gigantic sandbox and dig a hole to China. It was Mike's personal mission to find the bottom of the sandbox (he claimed it was for the 'good' sand, but I think he just wanted to prove that he could).

Ice cream

With Nick's peanut allergy there are very few places we can get soft serve ice cream. The one place we do trust is a local dairy outlet that offers two rotating flavors every day. Every time we go to get milk (even if it is 20 below) Nick asks to get a cone. The only time we indulge him is when it is nice enough to sit outside. Last night was one of those nights. And I don't know where he was practicing, but his cone skills have gotten much better over the winter. We're still working on Zander (who kept saying "Good chocolate.")

You've come a long way kid

Nick's first few days of preschool were rough. There were a few days I didn't think we would make it through to Christmas break. But, with the help of his great teachers and a Facebook/junior high friend who recommended having him use a transition object every day, he made it through. You might remember this day. He did OK then, but the next day, I had to go to school to help drag him across the hall. No fun. Every day got a little better until finally he said to me "Mom, I'm not going to wave to you out the window. I'll see you after school" and ran off to play with his friends.

Today, on his last day of school, he woke up ready for the day. He smiled when I asked to take a picture to commemorate his first last day. And after school, he was sad that he didn't get to go back after the holiday weekend. I just hope he remembers this next year when he gets a new teacher.


(by the way I think he was saying something about cheeseburgers here)

Teacher gifts

Nick's last day of school is tomorrow. I can't believe we made it through the first year. There were some pretty rough days in the beginning, but with a lot of help from his teacher's Nick now looks forward to school almost everyday (and when he doesn't want to go it isn't because he's nervous -- it's because he's 4).

Nick's preschool teacher Mrs. Reindl is retiring this year. So, to say thanks to her and his other teachers/daycare providers I thought we would make them a little something to remember him by. I've been following Imperfectly Beautiful for several months and when I came across this idea I knew it was perfect! Amazingly enough our Dollar Tree carried the water bottles. I used some vinyl and my Cricut and voila, affordable and adorable thank you gifts.

T-ball and friends

Our reasons for putting Nick in T-ball were two-fold. Sure, we want him to get involved and find something that really interests him. But, I'm not counting on a super-star athlete who is going to pay my way through retirement. This hasn't been a problem. Nick always asks about when the next game is and wants to practice at home.






But, mostly, we put him in all these activities in hopes that something will help him get over his shyness. It can be absolutely crippling for him, and heart-breaking for me, at times. So far, I think it is kind of working. Tonight, Nick chatted with a few of the players from the other team as he made his way around the bases. Ok, so the girls (twins) were in his class at school, but still, he talked to them.




Remember this kid.


Yeah, that's him taking a nap in the outfield. See the coach. Yeah, he's happy.


We've already signed Nick up for the next T-ball session this summer. He can't wait.

Happiness is...

... a nice spray of cold water on a hot spring/summer day. Today was crazy hot for an Iowa May day. I think the high hit about 94 and of course Nick had T-ball in the blazing heat. While Nick was out playing Zander got a little extra attention from one of Nick's coaches. Bre grew up down the street from me and is now a standout on the UNI volleyball team.

The fun started with a little splash of water. But, once Bre realized Zander liked getting wet and that we didn't mind if he was drenched she started dousing him with the contents of her water bottle. And he loved every minute of it.

Almost too hot for T-ball

Some days it's just too hot to be outside. This was one of those days. Despite being the end of May the temps topped out somewhere in the low 90s. But, Nick was an absolute trooper during his T-ball game tonight. He ...

... hit the ball like a pro.

... showed good sportsmanship (I think he tried to high five every runner who passed from first to second base).

... didn't complain about the heat (even though the rest of us were).
... played along nicely when one of the other kids was being a little silly. This little boy does not want to play T-ball. He's constantly getting yelled at reminded to pay attention to the game.


... listened when his coach reminded him to run the bases after hitting the ball.

... even managed to put a little oomph in his run.

Yep, he's a good little guy. And I love him something fierce.

When it gets hot

My boys get crazy. Case in point.



It's only May and the temperatures are already in the upper 80s and expected to hit 90 by Monday. And don't forget the humidity. It's here too. With a vengeance. I'm thinking this may be the year to break my no air conditioning until at least June 1 rule. It's either that or we move into the basement.

School picnic

To celebrate the end of the school year Nick's preschool class took one last field trip to a park for playtime and snacks. It was so great to see Nick playing with other kids and not worrying about where we were at all times. He's still not as crazy as some of the boys in his class, but I'm going to count that as a good thing.

Nick's teacher Mrs. Reindl


The classroom helper Ms. Hildebrand