Today, I am thankful for chicken nuggets. And the rest of our crazy day! 

Our morning started out with my monthly staff meeting at church- it never takes long but just switches up our day. 

After my staff meeting, I came home did daycare, fixed lunch and kids ready for a nap. 

*insert laundry here*

Ladies from TARC came today to see Quentin. Earlier we called and asked if we could cancel our 2:15 appt due to Dustin leaving at 2:30 and no one to help daycare at 3:00 when nap time was over, since our first appt was supposed to be 90 minutes.  

They didn't get our message. 

So... they showed up. I told the gals we called and I could only go til 3p and we would have to finish up later. During our appointment Dustin had to leave to grill food at the middle school. 

The lady talked to Qmans stuffed animal... I thought this was weird. 

At 3:15 I finally had to stop our time due to my daycare kids needing to get up, snack ect. 

The swell ladies from TARC wouldn't stop talking. Qman was his charming self, jabbered a lot, and was cruising around everything.  After our crazy, non focused time, they told me he did not need services and looked like he would be walking soon on his own. 

(Yay.... I thought that too but no one listens to the parents) 

Dustin and Gaby had tail gating dinner at the middle school and Gaby had a band performance at half time. She didn't even come home after school- it was a long day for her too! 

I cooked up some chicken nuggets, pulled some grapes out, unwrapped cheese sticks, added peanuts and granola bars and we had dinner in the van in our divided up tupperware containers. No fast food for us... well, it was FAST food but from home and well... you get it.  

While D and G were at school-he cooked over 120 hamburgers tonight; I had Q, K, M and Kk on the road to dance. While driving, my hair was going nutzo and kept looking like this. It bugged me and I couldn't fix it. 

 At 5:00 I dropped Kadyn and Mia off to dance in North Topeka, raced back to the middle school to watch Gaby. They performed and did great! I was super proud of their band. I know we did not sound this good when I was in band. I love that she is getting these experiences at such a young age. 

She loves middle school.

Okay- she looks super darn cute as a drummer. I know I am her mom and already think the world of her but it fits her and her personality! 

 I really don't know how people do it... we have Gaby and middle school world. We have Kadyn and Mia in elemtry school world. We have Kendal in preschool world. And we have Quentin in baby/toddler world. This is just WAYYYYY to many worlds for me! That's not even mentioning Dustin and I's world... 

 I love this pic....

After her half time performance, I took Kenni and Qman back to dance, dropped Kenni off to her class, picked Mia up, waited 30 minutes for Kenni to finish. After she was done...

We went to Mc Donald's germ land... I mean, play land. We had 45 minutes till Kadyn was done and Kenni, Mia, and Q were antsy. We played and giggled. Qman loved climbing and going down slides. 

Pulling into the driveway at 8:15 I am thankful for our busy day. By God's grace Dustin and I can divide and conquer. 

I am thankful for chicken nuggets because they are a quick dinner that our kids can eat on the road and it means we didn't eat out. Along with grapes, peanuts, and cheese we have our own happy meal on the go. 

 I am thankful for our kids having activities that make them stronger and better people.  And for middle school where I see Gaby becoming this awesome-sauce kid before my very own eyes.

 For dance were I see three beautiful girls express themselves through movement and music. 

I am thankful for McDonalds playland that allows us to use up 45 minutes of time with giggles and activity. Watching Qman climbing up slides and stairs leading him to a fun new world.  

And for my hubby who is on this wild ride of life with me. I couldn't ask for a cooler guy to do life with! 

So even with all of our worlds going on, our busy days, and our late nights, and now bedtimes...I am thankful for chicken nuggets. 

Apple time....

 This week we have been learning about apples... so today, the older peanuts came with me to "pick" apples. We ran up to Dillons, which had an excellent section, and picked out some apples to try.

 It took us a while to find the perfect ones...

 We had several compliments while at the store. The kids did a great job of listening and following directions.

 Our apples...

 Now the taste test... we had green, red, and 1 yellow.

 We even added carmel dip to the mix...

 And apple cider... (and a cute photo bomb by Qman)

Then we charted our favorite apples that we tried this morning.  What a fun time was had by all!!

Happy Friday to you!

art fail....

 So, this week we have been talking about apples... so today for art we made apple pies. Well. The kids were not impressed and I wasn't either.  But, it is about the process for sure. We worked on using paint brushes and listening to directions... so not a total failure!

 My Tuesday crew!!!

 The little babe... who was a sleep then awake by his friends, but has been in a good mood about it.

During the process of the not so impressed art... :)

Sometimes we win and sometimes we don't! It's all good!

My soccer girls...

This weekend we had 5 games with all 4 girls playing. Mia and Kendal played their first game on Saturday. Dustin is their coach so we could control practice times ect. This is Kendal's first year playing and unfortunately she is playing up. On Dustin's team, Mia is the oldest (misses the deadline by 15 days) and Kendal is the youngest!

We had a beautiful weekend for soccer. Mia is in the middle in red. At her age it is fun to watch. Herding cats might be easier then teaching soccer at to this age...

 Mia and Kenni ready to kick off...

 Gaby goo jumped up to 11 vs. 11 playing field. Wowza. Their field is huge. There team held their own but ended up losing both games by 1 point. (Maybe 2 on the second one). Gaby has a strong leg- she played defense and got the ball out several times. It was awesome to watch this age as it is co-ed and all middle school. It is fast paced and aggressive. Makes for a fun time...

 This is the saddest face ever... on the way to the game he picked up a piece of gum and started chewing it ( from our house, thanks goodness) and when Dad took it out Qman was uber sad!

 She looks so grown... Gaby truly loves middle school and everything that came with it. She has embraced it just has she did with this soccer season! A new team, new rules, and much more!!! Love her!

 Kk had an early morning game on Saturday and then a 2:30 game on Sunday. I had to miss Sunday on as Gaby played at the same time. So, Dustin and I divided up and watched our girls play.

Kadyn's personality certainly comes out in her soccer playing. She tries her best ALL OF THE TIME. She may not be the strongest or the best player but she comes ready to play and gives it her all. She came home pretty bummed and then turned into tears after her weekend of games. Kadyn felt as though she did her best but it wasn't good enough. The second half of one games she was played 3 minutes.  She came to us asking what she can do to be better so she can play more? My heart was broken.

This kid is a fighter... things do not come easy to her and yet she does not give up. And I love that about her. It is that way with school, dance, reading, and soccer. So... we will keep working with her at home and in her free time just like we do with school work, dance, reading and now soccer.

My little cuties...

 I was facing the sun but loved this picture as Dustin was out there coaching the team before the game started.

Kenni's first game and she was all smiles!

Can't wait for our next weekend of soccer games....

Monday

 Last week was our first "official" start of preschool... even though we have been doing our routine and learning rules already... we started last week with the letter A. (our handwriting sheets finally came in so we had A and B today)

 Ready for Monday's circle time (Mr.L was off to the side, and wasn't interested in sitting for stories, and Q just sits in the middle where he can get most attention from everyone!)

 Our Classic back to school books... these are my favorites!

 Dancing time... we love some tooty tot! (Thumbs up, elbows back, feet out, knees together, bottom out, eyes closed, tongue out)

 A new addition to our lessons are cool characters. This is "Kara the kind koala". We just so happen to have Dustin's koala from his childhood... so we have our every own Kara for daycare. (Dustin will kill me once he hears the daycare calling this by a new name, lol )

 When feeding this little guy, I hit on the floor so Q can still be close. Every feeding Q comes over and becomes the most lovable little boy ever. He always says, "mom" when I am feeding Joe. I think he is marking his territory maybe? I do love having Joe around because in the middle of a busy daycare day, we stop to feed and cuddle, and is a great reminder to slow down sometimes.

 My boys playing around during free time...

 L told me she was taking pictures on her computer... I love her doll she put be side her!

 Hard at work on our letter A and B...

"Mom, take a picture of my B's"....

Happy Monday!