Separation!

I spent the week in Florida for school at a conference. It was fun, interesting.. but of course hard to be away! It took a week to write sub plans and line up home plans! Phew, there is a reason I am NEVER gone! :) It felt so strange to only have to feed, dress and care for myself!!
We had the help of Nolan and Clare, Dorothy, and my parents to stay with the kids while Joe was at work. I LOVED hearing the funny stories of what Kale had to say. Missed those funny conversations while I was gone. Deb, Jerry, Katie and Landyn came down to spend the weekend with Joe and the kids. Ava had yet another ear infection just before I left so I was feeling bad that Joe might be up a lot with her. Turns out she slept 7-7 most every night I was gone! Turkey, she usually sleeps 7-5 enjoys some milk then goes back to bed until 7. How nice of her not to make daddy get up at 5! Thanks to everyone who helped us out!
Kale had basketball on Sunday. His first big game. It had been just clinic up until now. Let's just say he choked! I have a feeling we have a perfectionist on our hands. He wasn't into the warm ups off the bat and then when he got going in the game he missed a shot, got embarrassed, and was done! *sigh* Oh well, the competitive side of me wants to kick and scream but he's only 4 so deep breath Brook...let it go.

Ava turned 11 Months! Tried to get a picture of her...this is about how it went!






Accomplishments:
She can take two little steps by herself
Cruises around all furniture
Climbs on top of ANYTHING possible
TWO bottom teeth
We think she might be saying Drake...confirmation on that yet to come. Joe thought I was crazy to even think she might be saying that but he too witnessed her petting him and saying what could be interpreted as "Drake" hmmmm?
Starting to trade the bottle for a sippy, so far, so good!

Joe had to work Friday night and then he took a night off to get together with some college buddies here in DesMoines. So...the kids and I headed back to Northwest Iowa for Landyn and Katie's baby shower. The road report before we left was iffy but I thought for sure people were just over reacting..umm no. Roads were clear, vision was 20/20 until all of the sudden we couldn't see a thing! Scary! If I would have been alone I think I might have cried. Kale was watching a movie and hadn't noticed my nervousness until we pretty much were creeping along. Then he became well aware of my white knuckles. I think the snow flying at the windows contributed to him dry heaving in the back....just what we needed and I had visions of being lost and stranded with two kids in the middle of no where. Did I mention my kids rarely sleep in the care?!?...Needless to say, if there is snow in the forecast... I won't be going anywhere for awhile!

After about 4 and 1/2 hours of driving we made it to my mom and dad's. EVERYONE was ready to be out of the car. Especially me! Shirley, my parents dog even got to enjoy being inside the house for awhile. Ava wasn't so sure of her at first but they quickly became good friends!


Katie's shower was good and Kale was very excited to hold his little cousin again. Here are the cousins! I should have smoothed out Kale's hat head! Oh well!



Rumors of a snowstorm were circulating at the shower and that was starting to make me nervous about the drive home. Its one thing to be driving in the snow alone, another to be driving with precious cargo!

I ended up leaving early Sunday morning to get back in time for Kale's long awaited YMCA basketball practice. He of course had his "basketball clothes" all picked out weeks before. He did great for about the first 15 minutes. 3 and 4 year olds aren't receptive to much "coaching" :). And having to wear the provided green basketball shirt over his under armour basketball shirt he was so pround of, threw him for a loop too!
Kale is also very competitive and becomes easily frustrated when he can't do something perfect.. We are working on that! ugh! So he got mad when he couldn't dribble twice and shoot. When we got home he worked on it in the garage for about a half hour so he could show "Coach John" next week. At least he has some perseverance.





We are starting early getting Ava to say that she is "one!"


And here is her new favorite hiding place! Good thing Kale is a good seeker otherwise we might lose her!