Zoo Day

 Papa was kind enough to let us use his membership and come with us for a date to the zoo. It was a much needed day out of the house!

We asked Sprout which animal he wanted to see and without question he wanted to see tigers. They were sleeping but he was very excited. 

 

 We just about had the zoo to ourselves as it was a chilly day. 

CHOOOO CHOOOOOO!!!!

Petting the sharks and sting rays.

We rode the carousel a few times. 

We conviced Papa to come too. 

I could not stop laughing at him sitting on the tiniest Red Panda. ahah

 

We took Roo to Find Dory. I don't think you could have found a better baby.

It was such a great morning!!! Thanks Papa!

Super Bowl

 

It's Super Bowl weekend and man, this city is hyped! And while we didn't end up winning I am so dang proud of the team and the coaching staff. It is so fun being able to know some people in the franchise and cheer them on! We are proud to be Chiefs fans! And on the flip side, so proud of Tom Brady and what he's done!!! Very cool! I loved these little crafts the kids did!

Game day ready!

Go Chiefs GO!

December Phone Favorites Pt. II

 December in Kansas Phone Favorites pt II. Oh Christmas time, you are magical! 

Cozy blankets, poofy pillows and Charlie Brown. Be still my heart!

There is a street in Missouri where EVERY SINGLE HOUSE is done up and decorated like this! EVERY. SINGLE. HOUSE!

Watching a show during quiet time all snuggled up.

Could he be any cuter?!

This month we went to war with the IEP team for Duke. Most IEP meetings are about 20 minutes long. We were in there for 2 1/2 hours. Jakob Skyped in there with me and we pushed HARD. Duke's speech therapist called me the morning of the meeting and told me that she was pretty confident that my request to have him expand and keep his IEP would be denied. To say I was upset by this information would be a serious understatement. My soul was on FIRE! I called all the people I could think of, people who had experience with IEP's, previous retired teachers that know my children, my Mama. We set up a game plan, said a prayer and we went to war and we WON! I was so grateful to have Jakob there as a "educated" person who felt more than just "mom." After the meeting, I sent gift cards and a note apologizing for taking up so much time and this is a letter that I got from Duke's teacher. I just started sobbing. It's a hard battle but so worth it.

 Deanna Rose Christmas lights.

We had too many card this year and had to find a new loctaion and my goodness it made my heart so happy to see so many people I love in one place!

I read 69 books this year and man was it a good year for reading. This series was absolutely my favorite. Fantasy, dragons, and a super cute romance. Phew, okay. 2021 let's do this!

Crown Center

 Jakob was busy like a mad man this year so he didn't get to come with us down to Crown Center. I could tell he was really torn up about it to ;). Trying to cram in alllll of the festiveness I can can be a bit overwhelming as Christmas creeps closer. So Papa and Gram came with teh crew and I and I was so greatful to have extra hands and eyes. 

If there is one thing that Kansas does right, it is children. I love how kids centered this city is and how magical they make the holidays.

So Kar Park

 Another favorite activity is walking around So-Kar Park. The weather was nice and so we headed out with the Dyches because they have never seen the lights there. It's not as fancy as Christmas in the Park, but the lines are shorter ;)

                               

                                   Sprout just HAD to be in their picture.

The big two kids were naughty so they got t o stay home with Daddy while I took the littles. 

 

I'm not sure what celestial arrangement was happening (I think two planets had aligned) but they "Christmas Star" (as they were calling it) was really bright and made it even more special. It was a good evening!