Ten on Tuesday

1. How about that super ultra blood moon eclipse the other night? Pretty amazing, right! I got Zane up to watch the whole thing and he loved it. Great family fun!

 Yes Zane is rocking Zach's old grade school t-shirt, Go Wild Cats!

2. Let's see what else is happening. We went to see Hotel Transylvania 2 on Friday night. It was my desperate attempt at having family fun before I worked all weekend and missed everything. We saw it in 3D which Zane thought meant DVD and got really confused. Abbey, M, and E joined us and it was great fun, as always.

It's all about the popcorn.

3. I worked all weekend, but Zach and the boys went to the State Fair with Uncle Able and Aunt Kari. I hear they saw a little circus, ate fair food, rode rides, and won some prizes. I have to say that I am ok with having missed it, but sounds like they had a great time.

Zane won a terribly annoying, huge sword playing this game. I can guarantee you the sword will not last much longer!

4. The pool finally was retired this week. It was well worth the money and was lots of fun. I'm sure we will do that again next year. If only summer was actually over, it's still solidly at least ninety degrees everyday, which is not ok heading into October, but seems to be what happens every year.

5. I've given up and just am powering through the hot afternoons pretending it's fall. We are back to going to the park at least once a day. The boys new favorite thing to do there is play catch on the slide. Zane throws it up to Rowan and the back and forth continues with lots of laughter. Don't over think it people, really all you need is a ball and a slide.

6. There is one tree in our neighborhood that's leaves are turning brown and falling off. This remains Zane's one true hope that Halloween might be coming soon. Needless to say we check on this tree a lot! It is also referred to as Old Lonesome tree from Curious George's Halloween since it is the only tree participating in fall this year.

7. Happy one year anniversary to Able and Kari, their anniversary was Sunday and I cannot believe it's already been a year. These two together makes me so happy because they are so happy. Hopefully all the years ahead will be as wonderful as the first! Love you guys!

8. Tball continues.. this season is speeding right by since there hasn't been an entire month of rain delays. Rowan is uninterested in the whole thing as of late which usually ends in lots of funny face pictures of Rowan as I am trying to take pictures of Zane. The past two nights have been a little rough in with games both nights and Zane's attention span being shorter than usual. Only two games left, the next two Mondays, if anyone wants to see The Lake Monsters play, they are still undefeated!

Zane playing in the dirt, Zane's favorite part of the game.

9. Rowan and Zane remain the best of friends and I cannot handle the cuteness. Most of the time when Rowan is sad he needs to cuddle Bobo, or when he's tired, or happy, or sleepy, or really anytime. Here they are cuddling during book time. Just precious.

10. Since it is nearly October things around my house are getting very creepy. I love this time of year, Halloween may be my favorite  holiday to decorate for. Zane is through the moon with excitement as we take out all of our Halloween decorations. We have already made two trips to The Dollar Store for a few more things we needed around our very scary house!! This afternoon Grandma joined us on a Halloween nature walk to find creepy sticks that I plan on spray painting black. Added bonus we had throwing practice with crab apples that we later decided could make very creepy brains! Huge success!

 All our Halloween nature finds were obviously kept in a jack-o-lantern.

Rowan's big find was this duck feather, from Mary off course.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Friday was the annual pie baking day for the Spice Shop's anniversary pie party. This year the pie baking took place at my house since Abbey was working. Grandma gave a multi generational tutorial on how to roll out pie dough, though no one can do it as well as she can. I think we made 16 pies in all and I hear they were all gone by two o'clock on Saturday.

2. The boys helped with various stages of pie baking day, Zane helped wrap all the crusts so they could chill in the fridge. Rowan helped with stirring and made his own little pie with some pie crust scraps. At the end of the day, after no naps, we headed over to Abbey's for dinner and sadly the day ended in your classic no nap meltdown. But such is life, learning to go without naps isn't going great.

3. Today we made a quick trip up to Grandma's to help with planting new plants in her gorgeous new flower beds. It's been years in the making, but finally the front of the new (now around 15 year old) house is done and looks great. I was happy to lend some muscle and the boys were happy for a day of nature fun at Grandma's.

4. Last night was another late tball game and finally Zane made it into the in field. When a kid can't stand still they really should play where things happen. Zane played third base and did wonderful. He paid attention, got a few balls, and received complements from the coach afterwards for his good work. I was impressed since he was playing third base when he normally is going to sleep.

5. Saturday evening I had a much needed girls night with my BFF Anna. I didn't realize when we planned it that I would need a girls night, but boy did I by the time it came around. Sometimes being surrounded by crazy boys all the time grows on you. Thanks Anna for a night away. Not pictures is our beautiful make up after our Mary Kary facials.

6. Yesterday morning the boys and I went to Abbey's to help with her fall flower planting. Grandma had gotten all sorts of flowers and we all helped plant them in her new yard. I do miss having gardens of my own that I feel like spending money on to make them look cute. Probably not in a rental house, unless we live in rental house forever I guess.

 The little boys mostly sat on the curb and chatted while we worked.

7. The kids had lots of fun in the cool morning. Bike riding is the favorite at their new house, of course this means the occasional bike wreck injury, yesterday it was B who needed tending to, happy to jump in as the Pediatric Nurse on call and put on some bandaids. Zane ended up wearing Maggie's pants and Everett's shirt which made for an entertaining look. When Zane asked if the pants were girl pants Maggie said, "Yes, but they don't have pearls on them, so you'll be ok." Because all my pants have pearls on them, of course!

 Turtle find!

8. It is coming dangerously close to Halloween and you can feel it at our house. Costumes have arrived and are being worn all day everyday. Zane has maintained his desire to be a vampire since last Halloween. His costume includes a wig, which he has been wearing for days. I caved and got Rowan a smaller pirate costume, since Zane's pirate shirt was a dress on him. I am also going to be a pirate this year, should be fun!

9. Zane apparently left his bike helmet in the yard and some child, very concerned about bicycle safety, took it. So his new helmet has arrived and should fit him for a long time if he can manage to take it into the garage at night. We briefly took off his training wheels after Zane told me, "My Uncle Able told me to take them off and I do what my Uncles tell me to do." It didn't work out very well at all and they quickly went back on, but we gave it a shot.

10. Lastly, how could I forget the most fun at the farm, hay bale time. I had hopes of fall fun today at the farm, but sadly it was still ninety degrees. We powered on and ran/jumped on the hay bales for a little bit before having a minor heat stroke. Were is fall??

 Watching Bobo jump, Rowan isn't quite ready to jump on his on yet, soon.

This kid is way too big!4

A Heart Mom's Prayer for Another Heart Family

Every story I hear about a knew heart baby, facing the beginning of their heart journey, my heart breaks a little. I know how that journey will change all of their lives, how their lives paths are about to take a huge turn, never to be the same. Usually the stories I hear about are strangers or patients I am taking care of. But a few months ago a story hit closer to home. A friend of a friend, who I have gotten to know over the past year, who had finally gotten pregnant after years of trying, found out that her unborn son's heart had multiple rare abnormalities. Recently she went to Houston to stay until her little boy is delivered at Texas Children's Hospital.  The world class doctors there are going to try to do everything they can for her little heart warrior as soon as he is born.

So today I ask mainly for prayers for this couple, the Blackmons, who are facing a very difficult road ahead. Prayers for strength, courage, and peace. And prayers for little Nolan, who is fighting and beating the odds already, surround him with angels as he enters this world and give him strength.

The Blackmons are relocating their lives to Houston in order to give their son the best chance possible at life. If anyone wants to donate money to help this family they have a go fund me page to help them on their journey. Here is the link to their go fund me page. They are also selling Hope For Nolan shirts, with all the money going to help them as well.

Thank you for helping me Storm the Heavens for these sweet people!

Ten on Tuesday and an Update

1. We have had a whirl wind couple of weeks. We spent Labor Day weekend in SEMO celebrating Zach's 32nd birthday. Here are some highlights. First up, the rope swing of course.

 It never gets old!

 

2. Water fun in the still very hot September weather. Grammie's water rocket always makes for a great time. It took awhile to get Rowan to go play, what with the ever frightening Shy hanging around, but he finally got up the courage and had a great time.

 

This is Daddy's belly, gotten a fair trade in exchange for Rowan keeping his blanket.

3. This is Rowan's new pouting face and arm cross, which we are seeing way too much of these day. 

4. Papa has lots of fun toys to play on, Rowan's favorite was the big CAT machine, keeping him far away from Shy.

Rowan's fear of Shy is real, but Zane loves her so it all evens out. 

5. Zane got to take a trip back to my childhood, feeding a bottle calf, Daisy. He loves all things animals, so ate this up of course.

6. Aunt Trina had a new big swimming pool which meant there was lots of cousin fun in the pool!

7. There were also eight adorable little puppies at Aunt Trina's house. Rowan did have the courage to pet these, but ended up being terrified of them as well.

8. Then before we headed out family photos all around!

 The Oklahoma Korenaks

The MO Korenaks

The Prance Family

9. We drove half way home and stayed at a hotel in Springfield, where of course we had a fun evening of swimming! 

 After this picture Zane dropped Rowan, who fell and hit is face on the coffee table, ending with him bleeding from the mouth, per usual.

 Fun in the car!!

10. Here are these sweet boys! They are too much fun, too adorable, and love each other too much!!

On the way home from Springfield we stopped at the Tulsa Aquarium for a little pit stop. It was great fun, though slightly expensive. We saw all kinds of fish, frogs, turtles, and sharks!!!! Great fun!!

Zane with the fish.

Touching star fish

 These faces are amazing and so classic for the shark tunnel!!

Lots of things to pretend to have your head bitten off by at the aquarium.

What else is happening in our life. Zane has played three t-ball games so far, The Lake Monsters are undefeated. Friday we went to the Zoo Friends Appreciation Day at the Zoo with Grandma. It was tons of fun and a gorgeous day at the zoo!! This weekend we had a bbq to celebrate Zach's birthday here. Zane has started to enjoy learning to read, after learning some sight words at school. He has some little books that he can read most of and he is loving it! I am hoping that a light bulb has gone off in his brain so he can start enjoying reading. 

 Lake Monsters Win!

 Learning to read!

 Free Train Ride!

Today Zane had his eyes checked again, a recheck from his three year old appointment in St. Louis. Everything looked great and we don't have to go back unless we notice some sort of problem. He did get his eyes dilated, which completely freaked him out, "What is happening to me Mamma?" I tried not to laugh, but it was hysterical. He left with new sunglasses and doubts about playing in his tball game tonight.  But as soon as we got home he was hitting balls in the backyard so I think he will be fine.

Both boys got to pick out a prize at Kohls for being so good at the two hour doctor appoint. Rowan got a new baseball bat and has been hitting "home runs" all evening. Zane got a football and a Star Wars shirt, which is his new favorite thing.

And that's the news from here. I keep hoping for fall weather but we are still have ninety degree afternoons, but with slightly cooler mornings. Zane is begging to put up Halloween decorations. It's not Halloween yet, soon!