Grandma

I took Kai and Kenson to the doctor's office this week and was quite taken aback when someone said to me "It looks like Grandma has the kids for the day."  I was relieved as the man quickly swallowed his words as he looked more closely and said, "Oh, no I guess not."  And then I realized that he perhaps was reacting to us not looking alike and that his quick retreat was maybe not due to mistaking my age.  Guess I'll keep hope alive and go with he realized I wasn't a grandma.

Randrom Kai Pics

Butterfly cheerleader?  Maybe the Easter hat means it's an Easter ensemble?

Playing Little People, eating cereal, just another day in the life...

Pet Shrimp

We picked up a few things at Hy-vee (a midwest grocery store chain) yesterday.  We don't shop there often but we've been there enough for my kids to kind of have a feel for the store layout.  As we were heading down one aisle, Zeke wondered if they still had their pet shrimp.  I definitely was scratching my head until we go to the end of the aisle when Zeke spotted them and quickly pointed them out.  Lobster...in tanks...ready for someone to cook and eat.  Definitely not pet shrimp.

6

Conleigh came home 6 years ago on her third birthday.  I cannot look at any of these pictures with out hearing her raspy little voice and laugh and cry.  I also cannot look at any of these pictures without thinking about how horrible the earthquake was and how crazy those days were.

Such a peanut at the time who had gone through a lot in her little life.  I will always been so proud of her simply because of her story.

First night with us, on the hotel bed, the day we picked her up in Miami.

First snow

First days home with Kenson

First birthday at home

First Easter

Nine!

Conleigh is nine!  Honestly, I think I've seen her grow so much this past year.  I wish I could put her blossoming maturity into words but I'm not quite sure I can.  The other day, she dressed Kai all by herself, without being asked, and was so proud of herself because she knew she had done a big kid task.  There was so much in that moment that made me realize how she has just grown up.

Her three wishes were a Ken doll, a doughnut cake, and eating at Pizza Hut with friends.  She had such a good time with her friends.  It was so fun to watch her let her guard down and just enjoy the friendships, to hear them giggle and talk through the whole meal.  She came home gushing that it was the best birthday ever.  

Birthday day French toast so we could sing to her on her day.
She actually ended up having no school due to the snow so she quickly asserted
that she was going to wear her pajamas all day because "it's my birthday!"

Playing with her new Ken doll
Kenson was playing too but shhh...don't tell.
He'd be mortified if anyone knew.
Seriously, don't tell him you saw the picture.

Crazy girls talking on the phone

The doughnut cake