a warm blanket

Most people know I grew up in West Fargo, North Dakota. We call it Fargo for short. And some people just call it the flyover state. Others make fun of it because everyone says 'oh ya, you betcha.'

To me, it is home.

It doesn't take the place of my current home and family, because that is everything to me. But it certainly has a special place in my heart and every time I go there, it feels like home. You know that feeling? When you drive into town and it just feels like someone gave you a hug...or wrapped a warm blanket around you... comforting, familiar, and full of family.

I love it and cherish the time we get when we go home for simple days, simple pleasures.

Like shucking corn. 

We went 'home' a couple weekends ago for what I anticipate will become an annual venture. Nearly 300 ears of corn were shucked, blanched, bagged and frozen for the winter.

 

The kids had a blast, even though they arrived for the last five minutes...

How can you not have fun when everyone is focused on you. And you have a paper towel holder to use as a bat to practice your t-ball?

And you get to spend quality time with your mommy?

And examine those little green things called vegetables!

And pose in a picture where you pretend to eat those little green things called vegetables?

 

Looking forward to next year's Walker Schuckfest...

 

 

pee wee

I'm not sure what we'll do with our Monday and Wednesday nights anymore. The last few weeks have been so much fun watching Jaxon begin his pee-wee sports adventures. I can't believe he is at the age when they start organized sports! Where did the time go?

From the first night when he got his t-shirt and met his team, this kid was looking forward to Mondays and Wednesdays, counting the days in between...

They started with soccer.

Jaxon learned all his trapping and kicking skills from Scott. They sure had fun, enjoying time together and feeling like a 'big boy'. Jaxon too.

After they 'mastered' soccer, they had two weeks of t-ball. His team wasn't the brightest. Most of them hit the ball and then ran after it instead of toward the base. But then, this is pee-wee sports.

Jaxon saw this baseball hat in the store and just had to have it. He wants to be just like his dad. Too bad this isn't silver and black. Then he would have really been bringing it.

I mean, can we say pee-wee again? Jaxon was swimming in his t-shirt and that batting helmet never did quite get above his eyebrows... but he sure ran as fast as he could in those crocs.

The Blue Buejays, named by none other than the kids themselves.

 The biggest fan. Kiley and I would go and watch Jaxon play. She would sit on the sidelines with her goldfish or fruit snacks and cheer for Jaxon. It wasn't until the last night that she started goofing around and thought she should be able to play too...

 She loved to sit on the bench with all the kids, right next to her big brother Jaxon.

 They even let Scottie play and gave him some pointers.

It's been a fun summer, watching Jaxon change so much. He now rolls his eyes at us, as if we are 'like, so dumb.' And he wants to do everything himself, make his own decisions, and he's decided that Dora is for little babies and that Spider Man and Super Hero shows are where it's at for him. Our little man is growing up. It is scary, yet somewhat exciting. I can't wait to see all the good things he is going to do someday. He's terribly smart, handsome, funny, and has such a big heart. Sounds kinda like his dad. Ahh, both of my boys are growing up! Could I be any luckier?

lazy summer days

Whoever coined the term, 'lazy summer days', did not have a 4 1/2 year old and a 2 year old. Clearly, given my lack of blogging, there hasn't been anything lazy about our days.

I won't go into how quickly time passes and before you know it your kids are all grown.

I won't do that because I've already done it.

I've already cried about it.

I've sort of come to terms with it.

So rather than that, I've really just been trying to enjoy every moment this summer.

Moments like these...

Kiley's 2-year birthday party!

She had her pretty dress on... lots of frosting... and her favorite friends over for water toys, sprinklers, and tons of fun on a super hot day.

Kiley got a new stroller and bathtub for her dolls. I think it was one of her favorite gifts- she is quite the caretaker these days. She pushes her dolls around, makes sure they are fed and changed, and even asks her kitty if she would like to go in the microwave or refrigerator. She always accomodates, even if the kitty doesn't talk back.

And of course Ed and Jen had some fun too!

And moments like these...

Putting together Jaxon's new bike!

 Scott had lots of help. Kiley is quite the mechanic.

 Not sure what Jaxon is doing with that screwdriver...

Jaxon couldn't wait to get on his new bike and ride around like a big boy. Ever since we started going to the purple park, he's been asking for one as all the other kids ride their bikes to the park.

Good thing he got his first fall out of the way in the driveway before any kids at the park could see him. He was very graceful on the way down, in case you were wondering. He wore his helmet after this.

And many, many more moments which I will share in the coming days... I've been told by a little birdie (aka, my mother), that I need to post something soon! So here's me, making an attempt to catch up on these lazy summer days (not!). More moments to come...

strawberry shortcake

When I was little, I had Strawberry Shortcake curtains and bedding in my room. We'd eat strawberries with sugar on them for a snack. My favorite pie was always strawberry.

As a girl I remember going to the strawberry fields with my family... often with my Grandma Char. They had a field right in West Fargo where you could pick buckets of strawberries. Later in the year, we'd pick baby cucumbers for canning pickles. I remember thinking, what is she going to do with all of these!! But she always found a use for everything and it was usually delicious!

So I thought it might be a fitting way to celebrate her life's passing as my baby girl turned two, to spend the morning picking strawberries.

Though we didn't say it enough, I loved my grandma very much and have so many memories of her- mostly surrounded by food- and so as I say goodbye to her, I find myself wanting to create new memories with my kids, start new traditions, pass on some of her warmth, cooking, and sense of humor, so that someday when I tell them about her, they'll recognize a bit of her in me... or in themselves.

So, Saturday morning, we headed out to Pine Tree Apple Orchards for some strawberry picking.

Now that Kiley is two, she's decided that she can pretty much do everything on her own. I'm pretty sure if we gave her the car keys, she'd figure out how to drive herself to the fields. Girl has a mind that is made up. I love it.

And we always knew it would be just a short while before she started sassing back to Jaxon and fighting for what's hers. Well, seems as if overnight, that time has come.

But, through all her tantrums and 'terrible two-ness', she is still my baby girl.

Sweet. Funny. Copycat. Busy-bee. Industrious. Foodie. Determined. Independent. Laughter and gigles. Cuddler. Jokester. Smart.  

And oh, so cute.

It was a special morning and I hope to make it a tradition we can do every year (as long as she'll let us!).

Afterwards we went home and opened a few presents. I got Kiley a Pink Dinosaur pillow pet- she keeps talking about dinosaurs getting her feet, so I thought this was appropriate.

And Scott got her a new blankie to replace the other two that are full of holes.

We love you sweet baby girl. You are pure joy. Our little Strawberry Shortcake.

ringbearer

A trip to the park, bubbles and gifts, bow ties and dresses. Jaxon made his big debut as a ringbearer this weekend in my cousin Tyler's wedding. Despite the sadness of my grandma Char not making it due to being in the hospital, it was a beautiful day and we couldn't be happier for the bride and groom.  Here's a few photos of the night before at the park and the wedding day...

training wheels

I recently bought a bike. Much like motherhood, it did not come with training wheels.

I went biking with the kids in the trailer the other night, only my second ride in like ten years or something. And I chose to go all the way to 'the purple park'.

"Do you think we'll be able to make it all the way there mom?" Jaxon asked.
"I think we should try Jaxon, what do you think?" said I.
"Let's do this."

Right.

So, we set out, with me on the bike (duh!), the kids in the trailer, and fully stocked with snacks and waters.

Let's get serious. The purple park is about a mile and a half away from our house. It was a ten minute ride.

It's what happened along the way that was the real adventure. I kept checking to make sure the kids were still attached to the bike, and at the intersection right in front of the purple park, I did something I'm sure I'll never live down. Especially now that it's in my blog post.

I fell off my bike. Right in the middle of the intersection.

The kids were safe. No worries there.

But me? My pride and dignity were badly bruised. So was my leg. And my ankle. And my hands...

And I will not quickly forget the look on Jaxon's face, when he just stared in awe at me.
"Did you just fall off the bike mom?"

Yep.

And so, a moment of embarrassment and horror turned quickly into a life lesson for me.

There are no training wheels with motherhood.

Even though I made the untimely error of falling off my bike, on a beautiful day, with lots of people around to see, I still had to get back on that bike, pedal my way across the street ( I waited for the next light of course), and face the kids.

"Wow, Jaxon. That sure was embarrassing. Can you believe I just did that?"

It was as if, for the moment, Jaxon realized that I am not perfect. That I do make mistakes. That I'm not the most amazing and all-knowing mom that he thought I was.

In this crash course into motherhood, there are nights like tonight, when I slightly lost my temper trying to put the kids to bed because nobody wanted to listen to me; and there are days when the naps turn into extra play time and tired bodies; and there are mornings when all I really want to do is sleep in on a Sunday but I'm woken up at 6:32 am with a little boy grunting or snorting in my face...

 ...on these days and in these moments, I am reassured that my kids still love me, no matter what. No matter the mistakes I make, or the falls I take. No matter if I'm not perfect, don't always do the right thing and perhaps someday embarrass them more than myself. Somehow, we get back on the bike and keep pedaling...

top ten

Memorial Day weekend is usually one of my favorites. We typically rent a cabin for the weekend with my family and even though the weather always stinks, we usually end up having some bright spots. This past weekend was no exception. At the end of the weekend, my mother asked the kids what their favorite parts were and she tried to limit it to just one. I, however, had too many.

Here are my top ten favorite moments.

1. Kiley discovers dip. She's had the usual 'dippy' things like ketchup and ranch. But, I'm not quite sure she's ever enjoyed her dip like she did this weekend. I thought she might just lick the bowl. I think we may have created a monster though. Tonight I caught her sticking her hands into the butter tub and grabbing chunks of butter to lick off her fingers... oh my.

2. Watching the kids get so excited to go fishing. Jaxon had some great 'fish tales' this year, including things like, 'we caught a bluejay. It was the biggest crappie bluejay I've ever seen' (as he holds his hands about 4-5 inches apart.

3. Making fruit loop necklaces. Gotta have something to do when the weather turns crappy. I'm not sure Kiley ever finished hers- she just kept eating the fruit loops. Jaxon made one but it ended up eaten within five minutes.

4. Kayaking with Zoe at sunset. Even though I know I was illegal by not having a life jacket, I still had fun and it was worth the risk. She is growing into such a confident young lady. I remember the days when she was just Jaxon's size and how afraid I was of taking care of her, thinking I'd somehow give her something she was deathly allergic to. Now she's so grown up. She tells me what she can and can't have and reads her own labels, teaches me to kayak, and the girl has more wits and brains than she knows what to do with. It's very fun having her around.

5. Golfing with the boys. It isn't often that I get to do this. My clubs come out once a year, if that. So this was a fun couple of hours, even if it was raining. I even had my own caddy! Can't say that he was that helpful, but he certainly was entertaining.

6. Shopping in Park Rapids. Always a bonus when my mom and I get to spend some time boondoggling as they say.

7. Bubbles, the park, playing baseball, basketball, and the infamous game of headbandz!!

8. The campfire. Who doesn't enjoy a good campfire? I think it may have been Kiley's first. She seemed pretty enthralled with it. Jaxon just loved the idea that he was still up. And that there weren't any ghosts around. Even though Grandpa was a little too candid about those ghosts. I won't forget Jaxon running from the cabin towards the campfire yelling, 'Grandpa's bringing marshmellows and sticks! Marshmellows and Sticks! Marshmellows and Sticks!'.


9. Watching Kiley. I'm not sure if she knows it yet, but this girl has seriously stolen our hearts recently. Scott and I dote on her way too much, but she is seriously like the cutest, funniest, most lovely creature. She has these shy little looks, mischevious grins, and no fear. She loves to play, do anything Jaxon does, and says the funniest things now that we're starting to understand her more (when she takes the paci out!).

Here are the kids getting 'jerseyed'. Something they actually enjoy doing. They get jerseyed and then run and jump on Scott. It's quite hilarious.

10. The hope and promise of a summer of fun. It seems whenever we get together like this, we all share our plans for the next few months and begin to talk about when we'll see each other, the promise of a few more weekends for making memories. With such busy lives, it is something I really cherish, even if we're just sitting around watching Arietty, having some popcorn, and drinking a Honey Jack and Diet (okay, that is my number 11).

All in all, it was a fantastic way to kick off the summer.

And P.S. I fixed the two photos that weren't showing up in my recent post. Check 'em out cuz they are priceless.