April Showers brings May snow?!?

I feel like this must be documented for my kids scrapbooks.  While in Kansas last week, it snowed.  On May 2nd.  And not just flurries, probably a couple inches.  Ridiculous.  I think you all know how I feel about snow.  Blah.

 What?!?  Coop woke up from nap, saw this and asked me, "When are we going home?"  He is so my son...we don't do cold.

 Headed out to a Stella & Dot show and this was the scene!  

It was the first measurable snow in May since 1907!  C-R-A-Z-Y!

Jones' Grandbaby #10

One of the reasons we planned our trip to KC was to meet our newest niece/cousin!  

Introducing sweet Miss Quincy Jane Jones!  She's the sweetest and is so loved by her older siblings!

This is the only pic I have of my fam with that sweet new baby.  Laney and I had bad colds, she ended up with fever and more, and Cooper had runny nose so this is as close as he could get.  I only held that sweet baby for a bit one night of our visit...darn cold!  I love nothing more than cuddling with a newborn.

 Ava-Grace and the boys made the sweetest card for Quincy Jane!  

Another reason for our visit...we got to see Ava-Grace dance in competition.  The girl is seriously incredible!  Her team won countless awards from the weekend, so happy I got to see her dance in person!

Being an aunt is the BEST!

Kansas Landmarks (at least to us ;))

We went up to KC for a few reasons...more to come on those later.  While there and before the weather  turned c-r-a-z-y, we took advantage of some of our fave outdoor places!

First up, Deanna Rose with the Stilley girls!

 They both just adored the animals.

 I ended up feeding the goat 98% of that bottle but Laney did give it a try.  Oh...and while walking to return the empty bottle, I turned around for.a.second. and the girl had that nasty goat tainted bottle in her mouth!!!!!!  please note cooper hiking up his shorts, he fell in the rocks, skinned up his knees and basically was the end of the world for about 20 minutes.

 I am sure someday I will look back and cringe about her hair, but right here and now...I adore it.

 This was a good as it got for a group pic.  And next time we see the Stilley girls they will have expanded by one more sweet baby girl!

 Cooper had 4 quarters to spend.  He chose to donate 2...tried to explain the idea of donation but pretty sure he just liked putting the coins in the tiny barn ;).  

He used another quarter to feed the big goats and decided to keep 1 to buy something at the Royals game that night ;).

Later that night, Grandpa treated us and Aunt Alli to a Royals game!

 We even had some VIP seats!

 He liked the game, he loved the food/drinks.  

 Beautiful night, great seats.  I couldn't get over the fact that I am older than 95% of the team.  When did this happen?  Adam and I just recently had this discussion...the fact that we both still consider ourselves 25 but we are sure no one else views us that way ;(.  

He spent most of the game on the lookout for the 

cotton candy guy.

Taking it all in.

Finally, we hit up the Overland Park Arboretum.  It was sunny and hot and I forgot sunscreen.

 If you live in OP, you should go visit!  They are working on a great little train park.  Laney looks like a 2 year old ;(.

 Can you believe it was snowing 48 hours later?

Mom of the Year award right here...see her sunburned shoulders??  They were totally fine the next day but I won't be forgetting the sunscreen anytime soon ;).

Sibling Love and Ordinary Days

Sibling Love

 Laney had actually just hit Cooper (can't remember why now).  I told her to go give him a hug and kiss...she looks real sorry, right?

 He was totally soaking it in...

It appears he has her in a choke hold, but it was sweet, I promise.  This was a real treat.  This fire truck is outside the grocery store and Coop always wants to ride it.  Well, the bright sunshine and incredible behavior at the grocery store not only led me to let them sit on it...I put quarters in for the actual ride!!  This was a big deal...this stuff is usually saved for Dad and Grandparents not boring ol' Mom.

Ordinary Days

 And now for ordinary days.  Not much as changed when I am making dinner.  I usually turn on Jake and the Neverland Pirates-both kids ecstatic.  Laney is done after 30 seconds, Cooper is zoned in for the full 30 minutes.  Then Laney does a mixture of those stickers all over her body and the following 2 pics...

 This is mild...I had already picked up 1/2 before Adam got the picture.  I should probably child lock this cabinet but then what would I do with those 10 minutes it takes to pick this up every night???

This is actually pretty mild too.  Often I can't see the rug.  Thankfully Cooper has stepped it up in the cleaning up department to help me at night after the destroyer is in bed.

First Feeding of the Ducks in 2013

I can't believe it was April before we were out feeding the ducks?!  Maybe I forgot about another time? Anyways...you all know it's one of our favorite things to do on beautiful days when we have stale bread :).

Well, the first feeding was a failure.   First off, Laney falls on the sidewalk and busts her lip open.  The only thing I have to soak up the blood...stale bread.  Cooper asks me, "Why didn't you bring the ice pack Mom?"  God love him.  Then we can only find a few ducks and they want nothing to do with our bread!  They couldn't have been overfed, it was only 10am & who is out and about before that time?! ;)

We left kind of bummed but I caught some pretty cute pics that I wanted to document...

 We all held hands most of the walk.  In the 2 minutes we weren't is when Doodles busted her lip.

 We tried.

 Post fall...blurry but you get the idea.

 Coop was intently telling Laney all about the ducks and how to feed them.

Love her tiny shadow and tiny ponytail.

Laney Language

Laney has a language of her own these days.  Most of it we don't understand but she definitely has lots to say.  

Here's what I hear just about everytime we get in the car followed by responses...

"Lola"- Lola's at home Laney.

"Lovie" (her blankie) - Lovie's at home Laney.

"Daddy" - Daddy's at work Laney.  

Put that on repeat what feels like a hundred times a day.  

Her other favorite word, "Oh."  This is how she answers most things.  "Don't touch that Laney, it will hurt."  "Oh." 

 She loves her Lola and puppies in general but that is a whole other post.

Here's her precious Lovie.  There is no substitution at bed time and she is often trying to sneak it out of her crib throughout the day.  

Doing more good with Stella & Dot

I know I just posted about about some good things I am doing with my Stella & Dot business this month, but I had to share this one too!  

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, even if it takes a while to figure out what that reason is.  Well, when we first moved down here I joined a couple different Mom's groups to get involved and find our place.  Thru one of them and my friend Carolyn, I was connected to Becca Williams and her incredible family.  Her sweet daughter, Emily, is Cooper's age and has Cystic Fibrosis.  Watch this video to learn more about her and Cystic Fibrosis...

Have I mentioned that I am trying to do more good in 2013 and I am so thankful that Stella & Dot allows me to do that? ;)

Well, Becca just hosted her 3rd annual trunk show to benefit Cystic Fibrosis.  I donate 100% of my commission from the show and am so, so excited that I get to write a check for over $500!!!!!  Yes, $500!  In just a couple hours of ladies shopping and accessorizing themselves!!!!!