dianegclark

What a beautiful and relaxing weekend!

Scott and I left Friday morning and drove to Denver. We listened to the latest book by my favorite author, JD Robb on the way which made it go so much faster. I also loved sharing her with Scott.

We got to the Kuni Lexus to get my car’s complimentary 20,000 mile service and ended up waiting for it rather than jumping in a loaner for the weekend. If you haven’t ever owned a luxury car, do it! We were pampered and spoiled even with Wilson while we waiting. We sat on a large outdoor patio overlooking a Mountain View while sipping cappacino. I went inside for a bit and could have sat in the massage chair or in the theater or played the grand piano by the fireplace but I decided to shoot some billiards instead. When they gave the car back to me, after cleaning it inside and out, they sent me a video of all they had done. All free of charge.

We arrived and met Hannah, Kent and June (and Oscar and Sierra) at our mountain airbnb Friday early evening. It was spacious and nice and had a large wall of windows and a patio that overlooked a beautiful snow topped Mountain View. We cooked a couple of Blue Apron meals the kids had and played with Junie then turned in early.

It was so precious to spend time with June. We hadn’t seen her in two months and she has grown and changed so much! In pictures, it doesn’t look like she smiles a lot but she does! You can tell she is a thinker as she gets a contemplative look on her face and just watches intently. She loves to look at her hands and moves them in front of her face almost like a dance. Of course, she kicks and squeals and mouths her toys, too. We each got a lot of sweet smiles meant just for us. I love her rolls and pudge. Her skin is so soft. When I said goodbye to her this morning, she grabbed my face then bent her head to my neck and kissed and licked me! It was so sweet.

Saturday we got up and sat outside on the patio in the sun and Hannah and I journaled and we talked and drank coffee. The boys ran to get local breakfast burritos and Hannah and I took Oscar for a short walk. We then gathered the pups up and drove through a fun dirt road lined with birch (or poplar?) trees to a trail that ran alongside a stream. When we returned, I sat in the hot tub and looked over the mountains while the others watched the KSU game. We made dinner then all of us sat in the hot tub. I also unplugged almost completely for the whole weekend.

Sunday we got around slowly and drove to another hiking site and walked around a bit before loading up and heading back to Denver. On the way, we drove by the home that Hannah and Kent have an offer on. Its in a really nice area. We got back to the house and had delicious pizza.

We spent the second evening in a row just holding a very content Junie while she played with toys and snuggled. Another long drive home and we finished our book right as we pulled into the driveway.

Emmet apparently scored his first goal. Leah sent us this amazing photo. It brought back memories of the kids’ first and later experiences with soccer.

Joel played kindergarten soccer, better known as “bunch ball” or “amoeba ball” because no matter how you teach them or practice staying in positions, in kindergarten, its all about the ball, so they all go in one big clump for the ball and move as a group around the field. Joel, tinier than most, was afraid of the bunch, so his strategy, which turned out to be genius, was to stay outside of the bunch near the goal. When the ball popped out, boom, he kicked it into the goal.

Leah, also tinier than most, and who had horrible asthma, couldn’t keep up with the bunch. She ran about 10 feet behind the bunch, as happy as she could be, and never, ever even put a foot on the ball the entire season. She loved it.

Hannah, a year older and about a foot taller than most, stayed in her outside mid position and would steal the ball and dribble it expertly down the field along the sidelines. She couldn’t yet, however, turn or pass the ball, so she’d continue running out the end of the field.

Hannah went on to play on a little team her dad, who played football all his life, not soccer, decided to coach. She attended a summer workshop and ended up having her entire team and her dad recruited into a soccer club. Scott went on to a lifetime of coaching. Hannah went on to big club teams, Olympic Development camps, starting varsity as a freshman, and starting all four years of high school soccer, then getting injured but attending Baker University on a partial soccer scholarship.

Joel went on to play club soccer on a traveling team through 8th grade. I went to every single game he played except one, in which he was moved from his defensive spot to forward and scored 4 goals. I did get to watch him score a goal from the back half once.

Leah overcame her asthma and played soccer through her sophomore year, starting each game and was team captain. She finished her high school sport career running cross country.

I have so many memories and loved watching my kids play soccer. I remember 3 v 3 soccer in 106 degrees. I remember sitting in a full sleeping bag due to freezing weather. I remember standing at the corner of three fields watching all three kids playing three different games simultaneously. I remember watching more than a dozen games in a single weekend, running from one game to another.

I can’t wait to get to Newton to watch Leah’s kids play soccer. Henry has already started apparently, also. And Eleanor could also dribble the ball before she was two.

Dave has been super sick, in the hospital for three weeks and out of the shop for more, back only part time. In addition to running my own practice, I worked at the coffee shop over 40 hours this week. I have making coffee, food and running the register down. I enjoyed chatting with the customers. But I am not a retail person. I was exhausted and I did not enjoy the few customers who complained. Erg. My friend Kathy was a giant help.

I was going to get to take care of June this weekend in Denver, for three whole days all by myself. But Kent, Hannah and June have covid. Their trip was cancelled and so was mine. I miss her!

Emmet started Kindergarten. I got to be in Newton for his first day. He loved it although his best friend broke his arm at morning recess. He quickly answered all our questions then had a tiny emotional melt down so we all settled in and watched TV for awhile. After dinner, Emmet sat down in a chair and said, “Grandma, ask me any questions about Kindergarten you want.” His favorite part was lunch.

Last weekend Mom, Scott and I drove to Newton to celebrate Eleanor turning two. Joel and Kayla were there also.

Eleanor wore a sweet, longish pink backless dress with cross cross straps. Her sweet little arms were bare. She danced and pranced around in it. Her hair was in pigtails with bangs.

The party was Sesame Street. There were red cookies with eyes and cookies with tiny cookies on them and a big strawberry cake.

Mom gave Eleanor a stuffed cat named Faye Faye and cried when she gave it to her. We gave her a yellow checked bucket hat and a white bonnet with a puff ball on top. Joel and Kayla gave her a toy baking kit. Hannah gave her a tiny mouse family for her dollhouse.

This was the birthday that Leah gave Eleanor her pink miniature dollhouse that she carefully decorated. Eleanor loved it. She opened and closed the door repeatedly and tucked the mice into the beds and said, “Everyone asleep.”

Terri and Greg, Aaron and Hannah, and Joel G. Joined the party. After, Dave made dinner for all of us—pulled pork he had smoked all day, homemade slaw and homemade French fries—all amazingly delicious.

Happy birthday, Eleanor. You are so loved.

Or in this case, Gramma.

A couple weekends ago I took a class on riding a three wheel motorcycle called a Spyder. I thought it would be a bit less instructional and a bit more adventurous but it was fun. Mostly we rode around cones in the parking lot, ok, that’s all we did, working on stopping and turning and swerving. It was waaaaay easier than I thought because we didn’t have to change gears at all as the bikes were automatic and we only had to deal with a foot brake, no hand brakes. And the bikes were set on instruction mode so we could only take it up to 29 miles per hour. Which felt fast in a parking lot.

I also got to ride on the back of a bigger three wheel with the instructor. His bike had all the bells and whistles. We rode out on the street and through the lot, going about 45 mph.

I came out of the class with a card that allows me to get my license for riding three wheelers. Not sure when I’m ever going to do that but I’ll fee like a bit of a badass having it.

Scott and I have been trying to add some additional adventure and fun into our lives. Recently, we went to Uncorked Inspiration for a paint and sip.

Of course, we decided to start with one of the headrest paintings they do, the bee and honeycomb. Neither Scott or I have much experience with painting but we both have artistic moms and our kids seem to also have inherited the gene. This worked out super well for Scott and not so much for me, although we both came out with paintings we are proud of and an interest in doing more painting. Scott has now ordered paints and canvasses and brushes and we look forward to doing more at home.

We donned our aprons and sat down at our already prepared space complete with canvass, paints, water, brushes, paper towels and an easel. The room was full with about 12 or more people set up to paint bees.

Neal Wollenberg, our friend and the artist who did the mural at the coffee shop, jumped right into instructing us and modeling. It wasn’t long before Scott was in the zone and I was frustrated. Neal patiently helped me, at times taking over to make a correction on my painting and other times offering encouragement. Doing new things can bring me anxiety and it comes out as grumpiness. I shut down a couple times but pushed through.

Our paintings came out pretty great. They sat on the table at home for quite a while and I had a friend admire them who is fond of bees so I was happy to gift my painting to her.

Next time I paint, I hope to take on some easier designs. Scott absolutely loved this and as soon as we find time, we will be painting more together.

What a beautiful weekend. My heart is full. I went to Newton Friday as Hannah and her family came and I wanted to see the Leah’s kids meet Baby June. Then Saturday we all met up at Lake Wabaunsee to spend the day. Saturday night we stayed here with Leah and Hannah and their families then Sunday we all met up at Joel and Kayla’s in KC. Yesterday we all met in Newton and we took Mom to see everyone. We had amazing food all weekend, also, Leah made curry and naan Friday, Larry made ribs and fixings Saturday, Sunday Kayla and Joel made homemade soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and then we had yummy subs at Leah’s Monday. A wonderful whirlwind and my heart is full. All I did was order Shuttle but that makes the kids happy, too.

Some memories that stand out: When I arrived in Newton Friday, reluctant hugger Henry gave me a running all fours hug. All the kids met Baby June but Henry shied out of holding her. Then when she was sitting with me, he came over and touched her and ran to his mom, “Mama, I touched Baby June’s hand!”

A few minutes later, I was holding June sitting on the floor and Eleanor was looking at her. I asked if she wanted to give her a hug and she threw herself at her and pulled her into a head lock hug. It was so sweet. Junie was a bit overwhelmed.

When I left Newton on Friday, Eleanor popped her head up from the stairs and said all on her own, “I love you Mamaw!”

Saturday at the lake was a blast. We all played in the water basically all day. Eleanor eventually also got in and Baby June gave it a try, too.

Sunday we stayed inside due to the heat but played and played and relaxed. Yesterday was conversation and more pictures.

Emmet 6, Henry 4, Eleanor not quite 2

I haven’t posted about visits to Newton in awhile. I hadn’t seen the kids in what seemed like forever, which is anything over two weeks, so even though we plan to see them next weekend, I made the trip up.

I arrived earlier than expected so when I pulled into the driveway, there were no little faces at the window or door like there usually is. I greeted Leah and Eleanor, who takes a little bit to warm up to me, and Moose in the kitchen. Eleanor pulled her little mushroom stool up to the island so she could stand on it and see over. The boys were downstairs playing Mario Cart and they made an appearance at the top of the stairs to invite me down. I reached for Eleanor and she reached her little arms up to allow me to lift her. Melt my Grandma heart. She took me in her room and we played with her dollies. She handed me hats to put on them and said “hat” clearly each time. She has a stuffed skunk in her crib she calls “stinky”. So cute!

I played a little Mario Cart with the boys with Eleanor scrunched up beside me. I love watching their little faces while they play. The announce when they eat or fireball someone with such enthusiasm. Emmet carefully explains to me what is happening. They celebrate everyone’s wins.

We gathered for lunch at the table. Emmet and Henry kept getting up to take turns running as fast as they could to show me that “apples make you fast, Gramma.” Leah kept encouraging them to eat their pizza and Mac and cheese to fill their tummies and make them strong. Emmet announced that “Mac and cheese make you bounce” so he got up to demonstrate that. Eleanor stuffed a bunch of food in her little cheeks and handed food back and forth with Leah.

On the way back down the stairs, Eleanor pointed at Emmet and said his name clearly then at herself and said, “Eleanor”, her mouth carefully in a big O to make the OR very clear. It was precious. I asked her who I am and she said “Mama” but she says it different than when she is talking about Leah. Later she had a different sound and sometimes she says Grandma fairly clearly.

While Eleanor napped, the boys and I played the Mario board game they created and then we played a very active and noisy game of soccer with Emmet as the goalie and Henry and I on the same team. Henry hugged me enthusiastically every time he or I got a good shot or a goal. I love his hugs especially because they are earned, not given at hello or goodbye.

After quiet time, Leah sun screened up the kids, Moose licking it off and lots of giggling and squirming ensued. I helped put Eleanor’s precious blue swimsuit and little y elbow sandals and then we piled in the car, Emmet and Henry can snap their own car seat buckles. Emmet chatted the whole way to the pool and as we passed below the interstate, he said we were in the “magic tunnel to Hesston.”

We put on the kids’ floaties and got in the baby pool. The kids giggled and splashed and grinned the entire time. Emmet practiced his back floating and Eleanor had to imitate him, complete with closed eyes. All three swam to me with their little arms out. Eleanor loved the kite that someone was flying nearby and kept pointing it out. Eleanor got cold periodically and would come sit with me on the patio chairs, wrapped in her little towel. She sat calmly and just watched people.

After swim time, we had to get ice cream so decided to go downtown to Prairy. Of course we had to make a quick trip by my favorite boutique and Etcetera shop. We got our ice cream and buckled back in and went home. We enjoyed our ice cream and then I took a shower. I forgot my towel and called for Leah. Emmet came to the door. “You need help, Grandma?” He ran upstairs and got my towel then waited for me right outside the door.

We finished with a game of Pigsty while Henry cried it out in his room as he wanted to play a different game. Sometimes as an adult, I feel the way he did and wish I could let it out like that.

I decided to head home for dinner and the evening with Scott. Eleanor hugged me goodbye and said “Bye Namma” or something like that loudly a bunch of times. Emmet walked me to the door, thanked me for coming, and closed my car door. He stood in the driveway and watched me pull out.

I love them so much.

So I strarted on the bathroom and kitchen. I painted the ceilings and put in the floor, baseboards, and tile. I added the toilet, tub and sink then found a lid to use for the mirror and a button for the light fixture. I used the glue gun to get the shelf and mirror to stick. Oh, and I cut rugs from an old washcloth. I don’t love it but it’ll do.

I did a little research on Pinterest and then amazon for furniture and wallpaper and flooring. I was quickly overwhelmed. So I ended up ordering bathroom flooring, kitchen flooring, and tile for the bathroom wall and kitchen backsplash.

Then I ordered a kitchen. It has arrived along with the flooring but the tile has not arrived and the kitchen island and stools have not arrived. I also ordered a shelf for the bathroom but I need to find a mirror.

Next, I went to Ace Hardware and bought tiny paint samples of five colors from the Magnolia collection (Joanna Gaines) and a white paint to use for the baseboards.

I have repaired the roof shingles using the extras that came with the house. This was not easy. I should probably warn anyone following that I am not a perfectionist. I could repaint the trim on the house but houses are dirty and have Bettina. So I”m leaving it. There was some siding coming loose and I glued some of it and used paper clips to secure them while it dried but I can’t figure out how to do ones in the middle.

I painted the little removable wall that is the bathroom door and painted the bathroom side pink and the hallway side green. I also painted the back hallway wall green. I wasn’t brave enough to paint the side hallway walls yet because I haven’t chosen the floor. To keep from being overwhelmed, I have decided to go more or less one or two rooms at a time. That will help spread out the costs also.

I have glued down the bathroom floor but I’m waiting to get the tiling before doing anymore painting or wallpapering because i want to see how it looks. I will wait to get the tiling to start the kitchen, also, but I may go ahead and put down the floor.

I had Scott cut the ends of the small pop cycle sticks that I’ll use for the baseboards and I have painted them white. I noticed that the ceiling may need something. Painted while? I don’t know.