Is This the Last Time?

The past week has been quite busy, and when added to the past three weeks, there is a lot to write about.  The regular school year has ended and the kids both were promoted to 3rd and 1st grade.  They were so excited, but are also looking forward to summer school which starts June 6.  I can't believe that Owen actually wants to go back to school.  It doesn't surprise me at all that Gracie does, but Owen....????  Who is this kid?  On their last day of school, I watched as their bus pulled away and Owen looked out the window of the bus, smiling and waving until he couldn't see us anymore.  This has happened almost every morning since we moved here.  Owen gets on the bus, sits in his seat, and waves as the bus pulls away, going over the hill, and turning at the stop sign about a quarter mile away.  I will never forget the first day a couple weeks ago that he got on the bus and did not go to a seat on our side of the bus and he wasn't waving to me.  A little part of me was so sad.  I have always been a believer of raising your kids to be independent and self-sufficient, but my little Owen seems to need me less and less.  Gracie has always been a little more independent and I have come to accept her strong-willed personality.  I think about a week went by that we didn't see Owen waving out the bus window, but on the last day of school, there he was, smiling and waving until he couldn't see us anymore.  For those few seconds, I had to burn a mental picture of that in my memory because I realized it might be the last time.

Just last night, I had another moment that caught me off guard.  We were putting kids to bed and Nick tucked Gracie into her top bunk and Owen had asked if I would lay with him in his bottom bunk, as he usually does with one of us.  Owen had just lost his first tooth earlier in the afternoon and had it all tucked into a pillow, ready for the tooth fairy to retrieve and replace with some sort of monetary prize.  He was talking because he was so excited  and I was trying to get him to quiet down to go to sleep.  After laying there for a couple minutes in silence, he said "Mom, you can go."  What???  He had to repeat himself.  "Mommy, you can go.  You don't have to stay."  Have I already had my last night of falling asleep with my little boy?  Don't get me wrong, I really want my kids to go to bed by themselves, but it hit me, last night, that along with so many firsts, there also come so many lasts as our kids grow up.  Every night since the kids could talk, they ask one or both of us to lay with them until they fall asleep, which usually results in one of us falling asleep with them too.  I have found that I'm slowly starting to understand when people have told me to enjoy every moment...even the ones that aren't so enjoyable.  The moments of snuggles, hugs, and waves through the window of the bus are short-lived and won't last forever. There are some nights that I really would rather the kids go to bed by themselves, but I comply with their requests to tuck them in and lay with them anyway. Maybe writing about them will help savor those memories of listening to the kids' breathing change and watching their eyes slowly close, and you know that they are FINALLY asleep.  Laying with Gracie at night has always been the best time to talk to her about the things that she has on her mind and won't talk about any other time.  I have learned to take advantage of those moments instead of discouraging them.  Before too long, I know that they won't ask anymore, which in many ways is a great thing, but I will enjoy this time while it lasts.  I have to remember also, that I hope Owen has had his last tantrum in public (or at home) or that maybe this will be the last day that he whines about not getting whatever it is that he wants at that exact moment.

Owen with his first lost tooth.  He was so excited.  I wish I had a picture of his face when he pulled it out.  He was completely shocked that it came out.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent the weekend with family and friends.  Gracie had softball practice on Saturday morning, then we spent some time at the Air show Columbia Regional Airport puts on.  We only saw a couple hours of it, but it was awesome.  Saturday evening, we went to our neighbors' for dinner and to play for awhile.  Nick got to shoot off some fireworks, so he was a happy guy.  Then Sunday after mowing, we headed to the lake and the kids swam all afternoon before having dinner with my family.  Monday was spent hiking and playing baseball/softball outside.  I don't know if the kids will ever tire of playing catch and having batting practice in the yard.

We went to Finger Lakes State Park for hiking on Monday and completed a 2.5 mile trail loop.  Gracie and Owen did great.  We told them if they want to hike in the mountains this summer, they'd better be able to do it here.  We found a few turtles along the way.  We also took Jack with us, and he did awesome!  It probably helped that there were no other dogs or humans on the trail while we were there.  He was pretty tired, but seemed happy to come along.

Gracie and Owen using Dad as a diving board. Another activity that will probably not last forever.  But they sure have fun doing this now!

Owen sets up for his dismount.

Gracie prepares for her jump.  I can't believe how big she is getting.  When she stood up on his shoulders, it was a pretty tall tower.  Nick can still launch Owen pretty far, but Gracie is getting harder to throw way up into the air.

Here's my timehop:

Doesn't quite look like it did back in 2011 when Gracie was 3.

River came to play with us in the water!  It was such a great afternoon on Sunday!  I'm so glad we went down to spend the day with family!

On Saturday we saw the airshow, which was awesome.  These planes flew so fast and were so loud.  We drove to a dead end gravel road about a mile north of the airport and parked to watch the show.  We took Jack with us, but that might not have been the best idea.  He was so scared when the fighter jet was flying over.  He didn't know what to think.

Here's the fighter jet that flew so fast that you couldn't hear it coming.  Then when hew flew over, it was a blast of thunder that shook everything and was so loud.

Two other jets that we got to see.  They weren't as fast, but just as fun to watch.

Iowa trip for Zach's wedding

We visited Iowa a week ago to see Zachary get married.  We left on a Thursday night after softball and baseball games, so needless to say, it was a late night for us (mostly Nick who drove the whole way).  We stayed with my grandma and had breakfast with her on Friday morning before taking the kids to see their friends at Ballard West. It was so good to see my grandma and I miss her so much!  

Grandma Jeanne getting hugs from Owen.  I love this lady!

  We were able to drop Gracie and Owen off at West for just over an hour, so Nick could take me to see my friends at the high school while he loaded up the trailer.  However, about 45 minutes after we dropped kids off, I got a call from the nurse at West Elementary.  Owen had a bloody nose and wouldn't stop crying in the office.  He was crying so hard that I couldn't understand him.  He said he hadn't gotten hit or anything, it just started bleeding and he wanted me to come get him.  Of course.  I didn't have a car there.  I assured him that we would be back as soon as possible, but that didn't seem to console him at all.  Sure enough when we did get back, he was still crying in the office.  I guess dropping him off wasn't such a good idea...(note to self: he still needs him mom.)

Friday afternoon we headed to Boone to stay with Jeremy and Cassie for the next two evenings to partake in the wedding festivities.  We went to the rehearsal and dinner then headed back to Boone.  I was exhausted and the kids were definitely exhausted, but so excited to see all of their cousins.  Despite their exhaustion, it was difficult to get them to bed before 10pm.  

Saturday morning was great, as I got to go for a 10 mile run with Traci!  I had contacted her a couple days prior to see if she would be around and it felt great to run with company again!  I hadn't planned on going that far, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to catch up with my friend.  It was long and slow, but we got it done.

The rest of the day was spent participating in wedding activities.  Nick was an usher and I sang for the wedding.  It was a beautiful day and it was really good to see family and friends from Iowa.

Owen with Great Grandma Britton

Owen with Great Grandpa Clifford

At the reception, Lauren and Zachary had games for guests to use.  Nick was trying to teach Owen how to play Jenga.  I think Nick's competitive spirit took over, though.

Gracie and Owen right after the wedding, cheesy smile and all.

Daddy with his girl

My two handsome men.

I actually took this before we left for Iowa.  Owen wanted to try it on and couldn't wait to wear his suit for the wedding.  If only it was the same scenario for getting him to wear anything except gym shorts normally.  I have five pairs of jeans for him that have only been used when Nick makes him put them on to ride the dirt bike.

Back to Missouri

After the wedding, we stopped through Huxley to see a couple friends and then made our way back to Columbia.  It's always hard for me to leave again, but I'm getting to the point that I feel like I'm going home when I come back to Missouri.  Last week, after our trip to Iowa, the kids had four days of school left before their short summer break that precedes summer school.

Oopsie!  Gracie wasn't paying attention while we were playing in the front yard and fell in a mud hole.  Thank goodness it was her and not Owen.  Gracie is better at laughing at herself.

Last day of school!  Owen brings his stuff home.

We spent some time at the park after school was out.  Nick met us there on his lunch break.

Owen was able to climb up the more difficult side of the rock this time all by himself.  He needed help one time, and then after that he went up and down over and over again.

Of course, they brought their gloves and a ball to the park.  I don't think they ever get tired of playing catch with each other or with us.

Another game....

They each had games last week.  Nick and I have been helping out with their teams when we can.  Owen had a game last Tuesday, which was fun, but their games were canceled on Thursday due to lightning.  Owen was so bummed and I could see tears coming, but Nick came to the rescue and said we could go out for pizza instead.  Gracie got two innings in before her game was suspended.

 

A picture from this morning.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can get Owen's game in tonight.  This is what he chose to wear at 8am this morning.  I think he likes baseball.  They also spend free time watching baseball and softball on youtube.  Gracie is usually watching college ball or videos of how to improve technique thanks to Nick showing her where to find these sites.  I'm so glad that she loves playing, but jeez, she's obsessed with it.

We have four weekdays of staying home, then they start summer school and I start my new job Monday June 6.  I am so excited to be working again and can't wait to start!  I will be getting the kids registered for swim lessons tomorrow, which will be great.  I also need to contact the Dance Academy this week to see about getting Gracie into dance again.  It feels so good to get involved in activities!