Busy weekend!

This weekend, we had a lot of company! Ben's aunt and uncle, Pat and Judi, Grandma Mary and Roger, and Mary Rose were all here just for fun. Ben and I had a social event for my school at the country club so we had a lot of great baby-sitters! Ben and I had a great date night and have both decided that we need more dates... On Saturday, the guys went golfing...despite the 40 mile an hour wind and humidity. They looked tired and sunburnt when they got back! When they got home, we gave them the kids and all of us girls went to Zona Rosa for some shopping. Mary and I headed to our favorite stores while Mary Rose and Natalie went to theirs. I did feel a little "old" in some of the stores I used to shop at.... We ate dinner at Tom Fooleries before we came home. It was a really fun night.

On Sunday, we all went to church and then I made waffles...then said good-bye. Peyton and Tate love having all of the extra company. For Peyton it means there is always someone to play basketball, baseball, jump on the trampoline, or do anything else he wants to do... For Tate, it means that someone will be able to devote time to just him! Fun for all!!!

This is my last week of school with students. I have to come back next week for teacher inservice days on Tuesday and Wednesday. I am getting so excited to be finishing another year of school! I love summer!!!! :)

ENT check-up...and pictures!

On Friday, I took the boys to Liberty, MO so Tate could have a check up with his ENT. His hearing is perfect, the tubes look great, and we do not have to go visit the doctor again until next May. I am so happy we made the decision to get tubes in Tate's ears. He is truly a new little boy since the surgery.

While in KC, I thought it would be a good idea to have the boys' pictures taken at Portrait Innovations. They do a nice job in a short amount of time... Ben's cousin, Natalie is staying with us to be our nanny for the month of May. She went with me and was SO helpful at the studio and at the doctor! :)

We had a pretty relaxing weekend...the weather is so cold and rainy that I think all of us are tired.

Trip to Iowa

Last weekend, we went to Iowa so I could attend my mom's salad luncheon at her church. Every year, the ladies set a table using dishes from their homes. My mom has had three different tables and has used different dishes at all three...I actually think she could set many more tables because she has a very large collection of china and dishes!!! It is fun to see all of the different place settings and read about where each of the women got their dishes and the special stories that go along with them. This year, mom brought her collection of chickens to go along with her table decor. It was fun to see them all out on display. Mom invited Mary to go along, so it was extra fun. After we dined on the delicious variety of salads, we listened to a fabulous speaker...Kathy Peterson. She is one of the most positive and practical people I have ever listened to. I hope to one day invite her to Maryville to speak at something I am involved with! :)

We were hoping to get Peyton out into the fields with Grandpa Ackerman to plant...but it had been too wet prior to us coming. Peyton and I did get to ride on Saturday morning with Grandpa as he field cultivated. Peyton sat on Grandpa's lap the whole time and watched it all happen. When we got home, Peyton convinced Grandpa to let him play with almost all of the display toy tractors in his office. Peyton loves the "johnny poppers" and likes to hook things up and farm on the carpet... Peyton also had time outside with my dad riding on all of the farm equipment. I think if I remember correctly, there was a semi ride, Gator ride, tractor ride, lawn mower, four wheeler, and they sat in the combine. After all of the farming, Grandpa gave Peyton a new tractor. It is a special tractor...Peyton tells me...for just him. Peyton is convinced that we are going to see Grandpa this weekend and he will be getting a new Johnny Popper...we'll see about that...

Tate had a birthday party complete with a Thomas the Train birthday cake. My grandparents, family friends Darrel and Sue, and Mary and Mary Rose came to help celebrate. Tate got a new sandbox and some sand toys, pajamas and a tractor. He was delighted to be the center of attention and clapped and cheered as everyone watched him. He is still not a fan of cake or ice cream. Mom and Dad have to bring the sandbox to us because it was too large to put in the trunk. Our house is becoming a regular kid zone....trampoline, swing set, sandbox....I can see that we are in for a very fun summer!!! :)

I am exhausted from the busy weekend and then getting back to work right away on Monday. There are only three weeks left after this one and I am getting summer vacation fever!!!! As busy as each of the weeks are, I am sure the time will fly! I am always sad to lose one class and have to start over in the fall with a new group. The kids really do become a little family....