Me Time

Joey and Hayden headed up to visit Grandma and Grandpa Paricka today. I am excited to have some me time! I am going to scrapbook, watch a movie, start decorating for fall (even though I just turned on the air conditioner), eat candy corn in peace, clean, do laundry, and relax. Joey told me not to do anything but relax, but if I do the laundry will pile up and the house will stay messy. We will see how much relaxing time I will get.
I heard Hayden is busy swimming, golfing, and playing. I am sure he is having a blast with daddy. He has become quite the daddy's boy lately.

Last night I ate dinner at the neighbors. Nancy had some friends over and we had a girls night. We ate grilled chicken Cesar salads, and watched Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.
I am not sure what we will be doing the rest of the weekend.

Thursday we went to PDO to meet Hayden's teachers and check out his classroom. He had a blast and played for an hour, we had to drag him out kicking and screaming. Hopefully there will be less tears this year. His teachers seem nice, and I am excited for him to get back in the program. I am still contemplating MOPS. We will have to see. In May I didn't know what I would do to keep us busy this summer, but the summer flew by. Now I am finding it hard to commit to more than one thing for the year. I am sure that will change once we get into the swing of things!

Hayden's 2 Favorite Places to Be

We have been taking a lot of evening walks lately taking advantage of the awesome weather, and the fact that Joey actually has 1 week off between classes. That never happens, so we are trying to spend as much time together in the evenings as we can.

Hayden has discovered my old radio flyer wagon and LOVES wagon rides.
His favorite place to be is still on Daddy's shoulders.

Just Because I'm a Mom, Does That Mean I Have To Share Everything?

This is the question I asked myself last week as I was hiding in the bathroom eating a handful of candy corn. Seriously, it is impossible to eat a treat anymore without little eyes, or nose, or super human toddler powers detecting a treat being consumed and running right up next to me, busting me in the act, and demanding for me to share.
As Hayden was pounding on the door trying to get in, I felt as if I sunk to a new level. Then I realized that no I didn't sink to a new level, I am entitled to alone time and to enjoy a treat in peace, even if it means locking yourself in the bathroom for a minute to scarf down some candy corn!

State Fair

Friday Joey took the day off and we went to the state fair. The weather was absolutely perfect. Hayden loved the fair. He loves being out and about, and doesn't mind being in the stroller if there is plenty for him to watch. Hayden loved the little hands on the farm activity. He got to pick vegetables and put them in his basket, pick apples, ride pedal tractors, gather eggs, and many other things. At the end he sold his goods at the Farmer's Market and was paid $1 to buy something in the store. He picked out a bom pop and was in heaven. That was such a fun and cool activity. Next door to that activity was a building full of baby animals. Hayden was also proud of his 3 tattoos. He showed them to everyone and would check on them all day to make sure they were still there. Hayden's favorite part of the fair was being able to climb on the huge John Deere tractors. We had a busy day and walked a lot. It was great to spend the whole day together!
After the fair we went to the Shroyers to meet their new addition Karaline. She is such a little doll. We ate pizza and the kids played and we chatted. It was a great way to end our day.
We headed home at 9. Needless to day we were all pooped.
Saturday morning the Knutson family came over for bagels. They were in town for a wedding. We had a great time chatting. It has been a long time since the 4 of us have had a chance to catch up. Hayden loved playing with Delaney and Olivia.

Fun With Friends

We had a great time in Clear Lake. Monday we had beautiful weather. Haydne and i visited my Dad's sister when we got into town. Then we headed over to Nadine's cabin and played in the sand off their dock while Nadine and Theo slept. Hayden slept int he car for a 1/2 hour and he thought that qualifed for a nap. Then we ate supper and went on a cruse around the lake with a neighbor.
We headed home Tuesday because it was rainy.
Wednesday Kari and Will came over for lunch and to play. We had a great time chatting and the boys had fun playing.

We're off....again

Hayden and I had a great weekend "alone", or without daddy. We went with Teresa to her cabin, swung in the hammock for about 1 1/2 hours trying to get Hayden to take a nap, ( he didn't nap and I seriously was suffering from a nasty case of motion sickness the rest of the day) grilled out 2 meals, played, played, cleaned, and played.
Joey had a wonderful relaxing weekend with Lomen. They golfed, ate Mexican, went to a movie, played video games, stayed up wayyy to late, and slept in. Sounds fun huh? I think I need to schedule a little weekend away soon.
Hayden and I are packing up to visit Nadine and Theo in Clear Lake. They have a cabin there and the 4 of us are going to hang out and bum around until Wednesday. We used to spend a lot of summers there when we were young and I have such fond memories. I am excited to spend a little time there.
I will check in when we get back.

2 Year Checkup

This week has flown by. Ingrid is back home and getting settled in. She and Andrew ahve been washing clothes and getting the baby's room set up and organized. It sure is quiet around here without her.
Tuesday Teresa came over for lunch, yesterday we played outside most of the day, and today we had Hayden's 2 year checkup. He was not so happy to be there and screamed when the nurses weighed and measured him. 26lbs. and 35". 25% for weight and 50-75% in height. He was fairly cooperative for Dr. Nau until it was time to check his ears. He hates getting his ears checked and looking at his throat. Then he got a shot and his blood taken for a lead test. He calmed down as soon as he ripped off the bandaid on his finger. He hates band aids. Then he needed me to wipe the dripping blood off after every drip. Which was constantly. He would say "mommy" and hold up his finger every time it dripped. I wonder if he will ever keep a bandaid on?
We were going to see our friends Kari and Will after but Dr. Nau told us not to because Will may have staph. Will is in the Hospital for a ingrown toenail infection that spread to his body. Ouch. Poor guy. I hope to visit without Hayden later today.
Tonight I am going to dinner to clelbrate my friend Nadine's 40th birthday. I am looking forward to a girls night out!
Tomorrow Joey leaves for Ames to spend the weekend with our friend Lomen. I know he is looking forward to a relaxing weekend.
Hayden and I are going to a baseball game tomorrow night (possibly). Saturday we are going with my friend Teresa to check out her new cabin on the Wapsi.
The weather has been absolutely beautiful, and I love being able to have the windows open. The humidity has dropped and it is going to stay in the low 80's through the weekend.

Birthday Party

Like his mother, Hayden likes to celebrate events multiple times. We were excited to have Hayden's first "friend" birthday party. Monday 3 of our friends came over to help celebrate.
Hayden was so excited to wake up to the decorated tables, he insisted on eating at his small table and eating his cheerios off his truck plate.






Then his friends arrived at 9:30. They played, snacked, sang happy birthday, ate cake, played, opened presents and played some more. It was fun. The boys had a great time playing together, and us moms had a great time chatting.
Hayden got some great presents. He got a huge truck from Will, some play doh tools and his favorite goldfish crackers from Jerry, and a truck puzzle and stickers and a sticker book from Theo.
We have such a great group of friends, and I feel sooo blessed to have other moms with boys the same age to talk with. I just love them!!!!
Kari and Will

Nadine and Theo



Nancy and Jerry

The boys ended the morning by watching the construction across the street.

Ohhhh What a Difference 2 Years Makes

Birth day---literally!!!! :)
1st Birthday
2nd Birthday

Happy 2nd Birthday Hayden

We celebrated Hayden's 2nd birthday today. Hayden and Daddy slept until 11 today, so I got a head start on decorating. Hayden has never slept that late! I was absolutely shocked!!!


Nancy came over shortly after 11 and brought Hayden some fresh muffins with 2 candles in it. She lit the candles and sang happy birthday to Hayden in Spanish. She gave Hayden a long sleeve Hawkeye shirt and some markers. She is the best neighbor!!!


Then Joey mowed and Hayden and I put up some decorations. We hung crepe paper streamers in the dining room. Hayden was sooo excited he sang happy birthday to himself the whole time and squealed with delight!

He took a rest with/on Benny

Ate his favorite foods for dinner. Hot dogs, string cheese, tater tots, and corn. We used the you are special plate we got as a wedding gift for the first time. He was sooo happy to have all of his favorites at once. He took periodic breaks to sing happy birthday to himself yet again.

He played trucks with daddy.
And finished the day avoiding bedtime (imagine that), by convincing daddy to lay in the floor by his bed.

This is why I got a lot accomplished today

There is some heavy construction going on across the street and Hayden has prime viewing out the front window. He honestly sat there most of the morning and watched all of the work being done.