Dance Classes by Molly

Molly and her friends at school made a few Dance Class signs to hold Dance Classes at our house this summer for everyone's little sisters.  Of course, Molly was the ring-leader of this endeavor and told me everyone was coming to our house every Friday this summer. I told her we could practice just us for now before everyone starts coming over for class. ;)

She brought these chairs downstairs to sit in before class starts . . .

Kate was in Heaven - so excited to have her big sister teach her all her dance moves!

After class, Molly had Kate peel of the tape on the floor 

just like Molly's dance teacher had them do - 

Children's Mercy Overnight Adventure

Molly came down with a horrible stomach virus Monday night. It was a bad one - and despite our best efforts getting her to drink Pedilyte and popsicles she became severely dehydrated and very sick. She was calling out in pain all night every night this past week and finally Thursday morning, we thought it was time to bring her in to clinic to have labs run to make sure she was OK.  I dropped Kate off at a friends house nearby Thursday morning around 11:00 as Molly's pain was increasing by the hour and I knew I needed to get her in quick - thought it would go faster if Kate was not with us. Little did I know Kate would be there until Mike could pick her up at 5:30 that night!  Thank God for good friends - seriously feeling so thankful this week. 

Here is Molly when we first got to the Children's Mercy urgent care clinic to be checked out - they ran some tests and then wanted to do x-rays . . . she was SO strong and brave - especially with the pain she was in - I was so proud of her.

Getting ready to be x-rayed - 

She looked so tiny up on the big table.

Took them awhile to find her tiny dehydrated veins - poor bug. Started her on IV fluids - but didn't see a huge change after 2 hours of that - so the doctor wanted to admit her to Children's overnight to observe her and get her more liquids.She said to me about her IV port - "Is this thing gonna' stay on me the rest of my life?"

She got a slushy right when we got to the hospital - so that was a huge WIN.

I stayed the night with her at the hospital - cuddled up with her in this bed. We called it our "Overnight Advenure" and stayed up watching movies. Molly said to me, If I wasn't so sick, this place would be a lot of fun!

The next morning Molly was feeling so much better and was drinking broth and jello and almost back to her old self again!  

She asked us to pack more stuff for her American Girl Doll ( Lacey) than for herself - "Mom, can you bring Lacey's nightgown and pillow and her brush and toy and I just need my pillow." When we brought Lacey to the hospital with us - I said to the doll, "Lacey, this is a children's hospital and it's very special because it's just for children who are sick." Molly said to me, Mom - she doesn't know what children's means - you have to say KIDS to her when you are talking to her.

When I dropped Kate off in the morning with our neighbors I thought we'd just be gone an hour - so I was a little worried about how she was doing - using potty, snacks, lunch, nap, etc.  I called to check on her when I had a chance with Molly and this is what Shannon sent me - basically, Kate was doing just FINE.  Feeling so grateful and blessed this morning to have all my babies home  - safe and healthy and happy!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Our first Memorial Day Weekend in our new home and despite the rain, we were able to host the Lillis' and Murnanes on Sunday & Monday to celebrate our freedom and the long weekend!

So fun watching Mike & John play basketball with their kids - since they have been best friends since they were little, playing ball in their parents' driveways!

We were so happy they were in town from Omaha for the weekend! Molly loves playing with Norah (8 years old)

"Murnane & Mikey"

Kate was making mud-pies with the "big girls"

We had Lillis' over after kids went to bed one night for an adults only dinner which is always so nice - grown up conversation around the table with wine . . . 

Hope you all had a fabulous holiday weekend remembering all those who protect our country every day to give us our great freedoms!

Molly & Ellie

I met Kalyn on a warm January day at Westwood park, walking distance from our old house - and almost across the street from their house.  Molly had just turned 2 and Kalyn's daughter, Ellie was about to turn 2 in February. She was very pregnant with her second child. I told her I was prego with our second as well, but only 4 weeks (hadn't even told our OBGYN yet)!  She gave me advice on double-wide strollers and the rest is history . . . we became the best of friends and our daughters were like soul sisters - dreaming of fairies, making magic potions, riding bikes, and playing princesses . . . 

Unfortunately they are moving back to Denver, Colorado where they lived before Ellie was born - we know we will stay in touch and always be friends - but it will not be the same. They were our friends whom we saw almost daily and Kalyn and I were like second parents to each other's kids - it was unique and I'm going to miss the specialness that it was. But, what sweet memories we have of parenting together when our girls were little . . . . ❤️

Last Day at Ward Parkway Preschool . . .

Today was Molly's last day of Preschool - here is the card she made for her teachers the other night in her room. She brought it down to give to them with their gifts this morning - is is written phonetically I think - as she sounds stuff out right now and writes the letters she thinks it should be, so I will interpret for you - 

"Thank you Mrs. Beck and Mrs. Lukens for the wonderful school year"

She was so excited to give them their gifts this morning and celebrate the last day!

When did she get so big?!?!

A few of the wonderful friendships she made this year - Jackson, Taylor and Adele

Preschool Friendship.

Molly's good friends; Ellie, Liddy & Corinne were in her preschool class last year - but this year (in Pre-Kindergarten) they were in different classrooms.  But every day after school got out at 2:30, we would hang out either on the playground or the side of the school (as long as it was over 40 degrees) and let the girls play and chat about their days. Today was one of the girls' last day - so we brought treats to share and celebrate the occasion.  This is where many of my memories will be  - watching the girls play after school - looking for pixie dust and fairies and butterflies in the shrubs - chatting about their days . . . The moms and I supporting one another through all of life's up and downs with little ones and understanding our fragmented conversations in-between running after each other's kids. Even though we are all going to different grade schools, I hope we keep these friendships forever . . . 

These.Are.The.Days.