Time for a new post!

Wow, it has been too long since I have posted. Partly because I have been busy and it just hasn't really crossed my mind. So much has happened since February. We have moved into a beautiful new home. Summer break came and went. My sweet boy Hunter is now a 4th grader. My princess Olivia starts preschool after Labor Day. We had a great summer break. We took a couple of vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks and Branson. Both kids took swimming lessons. Hunter is a great swimmer and Olivia is coming right along. We managed to hit most of the places I wanted to take the kids this summer. Fritz, Crayola Cafe, Coterie Theater, Crown Center Fountains, T-Rex Cafe, Monkey Bizness, Zonkers, the Zoo, Tunnel Voyage and swimming. We haven't made it a water park yet. The summer has been weird this year, very cool and rainy. Hunter attended Webelos Camp and stayed a whole week with his Grandma and Grandpa Chism and went to Bible School in Stockton. Olivia has been a regular in Gymnastics once a week. We are looking for things to occupy our time now that school has started. Will be nice to get into a routine and figure out Fall activities. My little nephew Easton started Kindergarten. He will be 6 in October so I think he was ready. Hunter's teacher this year is Ms. Weaver and we seem to like her so far. Looking forward to a great remainder of the 2009 year. It has flown by so fast. Time flies when you are having fun! I don't want to waste any time missing out on anything with my babies!

Remembering the Alamo.....from MO

The post says it all. Our much anticipated San Antonio trip had to be cancelled last minute. Olivia came down with a nasty ear infection and RSV. We had no idea she was even sick outside of a cold except for the wheezing that began on Wednesday which prompted the Thursday doctor visit. This is one of those cases where you have to put the love and well being of your child before yourself knowing full well that we lost our money on the airline tickets but the hotel and car rental was nice enough to offer a full refund. Deep in our hearts we could not chance her little ear drums bursting on the plane. Hunter was so disappointed it brought tears to his eyes. So in an effort to try to salvage the long weekend without really nice weather that we were so looking forward too we rented a condo down at Osage Beach for the weekend and were going to attempt Miner Mike's which is a family favorite and whatever else we could find. Good news is the Condo was beautiful. We have stayed in these people's home before but it was the older one across the street. Both are wonderfully decorated , spacious and a beautiful view of the lake. Bad News is that most everything is closed for winter in Osage beach. It really is a tourist spot where even the indoor attractions must not generate enough business to be open. Yet another disappointment...no Miner Mike's. So we thought that we would take the kids to the Outlet Mall to pick out a toy at KayBee. Not happening either, KayBee went bankrupt. So we ended up at Walmart. Mike and I's thoughts were we could do this at home for free. Oh well, live and learn. Hunter and Mike did get to enjoy Bridal Cave and Jacob's Cave and it was a nice reprive from home. Olivia is better this week and Hunter is back to school so routine settling in.

Now...someday we will get to that Alamo I just know it.

Fabulous weather and good family times

First may I just say the last several days have been wonderful here. Mid 60's, mostly sunny skies. Yesterday we had a horrible wind but hey you take what you can get when it comes to warm temps in February for MO. Sadie the wonder dog is certainly fond of this weather as well. She wants outside most of the time. I try to take her for walks each day especially for potty breaks. She is improving so much on her pottying I am so pleased.

This past weekend we went to Lockwood to celebrate my Aunt Candi's 50th birthday (which is today). We left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Chism in Stockon and Mike and I headed to Lockwood. It was a good time even though most of the crowd cut out about 8:30. Mike and I even danced. The first time in 6 years we have danced together. While neither one of us can cut a rug very well, we had a good time. It was nice to see family there and even my Grandma who is pushing 89 got into the spirit of things by dancing with us. It was priceless and caught on video and a memory I shall cherish forever.

It's been pretty quiet around here the past week. Olivia had gymnastics last Thursday again in which she proceeded to tell the teacher she loved her. Pretty impressive for the teacher for only 2 visits. Hunter went to his first school dance on the 30th of January. He was absolutely handsome and did his mom proud by staying away from the girls and playing tag with the boys. If you ask me K-5 elementary dances are a tad young but what isn't going on these days that I think is too young.

We head for San Antonio Friday. We can't wait and are looking forward to even more nice weather. I think I hurt my back and leg during either my dancing skit or really who knows so hopefully the chiropractor can fix me up before we head out. Our first family vacation of 2009. We are excitied!

Olivia the Gymnast

Today was Olivia's first day of preschool Gymnastics. She is enrolled in a 3-5 year class called Dragonflys. So far there are only 3 in her class but that's enough. She was adorable from start to finish. She was excited about her new pretty leotard that is hot pink with rhinestones. She loved getting to play on the trampolines and climb and do somersaults. I think this will be good for her and me. It's gets her away from the TV, gets me out of the house and is great exercise for her. We go every Thursday at 11:30. She is already looking forward to next week.

Cold and Drab

This past weekend we didn't do much. The weather is just not nice at all. Very cold, intermittent snow and cloudy. They are expecting more snow tonight. We mostly just hung around the house but did manage to make it to church and Cracker Barrel for brunch on Sunday. I took Hunter to get a spiffy new haircut. All I can really do is buzz his head but he needs a decent cut for winter. He looked so handsome when he was all done. We are looking forward to several outings in February. We are all really looking forward to San Antonio. You could say we are all feeling spring fever pretty hard over here.

Spring Teaser

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It made it up to 64 degrees. Unusual for January yes, but nevertheless much welcomed. Olivia and I took advantage and went outside for the afternoon and played on her swingset. She jumped on the trampoline and sat on the porch swing with me and sang songs. Our afternoon was pretty mild until Sadie came off her leash after the cat and Olivia thought she needed to run after the dog which sent me running after her. We ended up in the next neighborhood as my main concern was Olivia and the dog was second. The good news is everyone got home safe and sound. Today it's back in the 20's, blustery and snowing. I hate this when nice weather teases me this way....

Not Much Going on Here

It's been fairly quiet around here the last few days. Monday was MLK day so I took Olivia to preschool and made a day of it with Hunter. We ran to Target to get some items and then he had a choice of going to a movie or me taking him out to lunch. He chose Applebees and a cookie at the mall trip. During our Applebees lunch he barely spoke 5 words to me as he was more interested in the TV's on around him. I then let him try out the bungee trampoline which he enjoyed. Then we stopped by the cookie factory to get our cookie each trip we go there and came home to let Sadie out. Then the festivities picked up when the neighborhood boys returned home in the afternoon and all showed up here.

Today Olivia and I met Erin and Easton at the mall for some playtime, lunch and of course the trip to the cookie factory. Olivia was so cute going into the mall. She said "Mommy, I so really love you". I love moments like that. Even when Hunter didn't speak much to Mom at lunch he always asks me to "stay" at night when I tuck him in.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 60 here. I forsee Olivia playing on her swingset and Sadie running around in the backyard like a crazy dog. Looking forward to when it's warm all the time. It will make for lots more opportunities to make trips out of the house.

3rd Annual Pinewood Derby

Today was the 3rd Annual Pinewood Derby since Hunter has been a scout. This year his car was a chocolate brown with a bear on top of it. The bear is because he is of course a bear scout this year. His car did fairly well. Ran a little slow due to the bear on top and Mike realized one of his wheels was not aligned correctly. However, Hunter took it in stride and enjoyed just watching the race.

Olivia is a hoot

The things Olivia comes up with just astound me. Yesterday I was taking her to "friends" when she looked at my gloves and said "Mommy, those are so cute". I was laying with her in bed on Wednesday night going over our day on Thursday since she would be home with me and I suggested playing board games. Her response was "That is a great idea". I just look at her with her little voice but realize she is getting so big. She is growing on us so fast. I just want to slow down time on both her and Hunter.

Remember the Alamo

Finally Mike is getting one of his wishes. We are heading to San Antonio over Valentine's Day with the kids. This will be the 1st plane ride for Olivia and 2nd for Hunter. That is why we chose someplace that didn't have long travel times. Hunter has a small break from the 13th to the 17th and we were looking at visiting some place warm. We plan to not only visit the Alamo which Mike has been asking to see since I have known him but to go to the San Antonio Zoo, Wonder World Park and the Witte Museum. Hunter should really like the museum as they have dinosaur replicas there. I plan to take many a picture at the Alamo so Mike can remember it fondly. I however will be thoroughly enjoying the warm weather. .....

Winter Blahs

Not too much happening around the Svoboda household. Way too cold to go outside. Yesterday it was -5 below and only got to 10 degrees. Miserable taking the dog out. She was severly trying my patience yesterday. Today so far is a much better day with Sadie. We received so unexpected snow so that made travel this morning outrageous. Took almost 2 hours to take kids to school and go to Hy-Vee for groceries.

Hunter had his 3rd grade annual PTA music performance last night. He looked so handsome. The 3rd graders are learning to play their recorders and sing in rounds. They did a really good job. Olivia was especially well behaved at the performance.

Tomorrow is the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. Hunter's car is brown with a bear on top. He is looking forward to the race. I am looking forward to warmth so we can get outside and do something all together as a family without freezing. Did I mention I was ready for Spring?? I am sure I did....

Olivia the Pool Shark

Olivia has started wanting to play Mommy and Daddy at pool on Hunter's little pool table he got for Christmas. Now, there are very specific rules to playing Olivia at pool

She is both solids and stripes
The 8 ball is fair game. It is treated the same as any other ball
She makes sure the white ball is as close to her solid or stripe so she can ever so gently glide both balls into the pockets with her pool queue. If the white ball goes in, she does admit she scratches (what a sport)
Oh, and she always wins.

It's so much fun to play pool with Olivia.

Baby It's Cold Outside

It's official. I am over Winter. I hate this time of year especially when we start receiving the Artic plunge about every other week. I hate it even more now that I have to get out in it with Sadie our Wonder Dog. Tomorrow's high at 4pm 7, Thursday only 10. This is enough to cause depression in some people. I need to find another indoor hobby until Spring arrives. Hurry up Spring, I am waiting for you.....

Major Savor Fun for Hunter

Hunter's school is having their annual Major Savor Fundraiser. If you sell 15 cards the kids get a limo ride. He wanted that limo ride so badly. He got to go last year thanks to his Papa. I didn't have the heart to disappoint him as he does work hard in school. So I bought up quite a few cards this year so he could go. Hopefully I can sell them to folks I know.

Hunter think of me when you are on your limo ride. I Love you....

Olivia the competitor

Olivia has found a new game. It's the "let's race Mommy everywhere" game. We have to start at the furthest spot from our destination (ultimately the potty or bedroom) and we have to get on our racing face. Of course she always wins as Mommy is just to slow right? She seems to thoroughly enjoy beating Mommy at her little race game. Ahh the things you do as a Mommy to bruise your ego for your kids.

Sadie the Wonder Pest?

So Mike and I had a bright idea to get a dog. The kids have been asking for a puppy for quite awhile. After many visits into the local petstores we came across a cute little female cockapoo. The kids instantly loved her and frankly so did I. That's when I realized I could give her back. We then decided to take the plunge and purchase the dog since I was working from home. We named her Sadie. Let me just say I never expected a puppy to be so much work. It's worse than a child. At least you can diaper a child. One minute she's with you, another she's has peed on your carpet. I know it takes time, I know one day she will be worth it and be our Wonder Dog but right now I find her to be the Wonder Pest. She is so cute, fluffy and overall sweet but I need her to get trained and now. Sadie the Wonder Dog where are you??

Sweet Bedtime Memories

As I just completed putting both kids in bed (Olivia is still awake mind you) I realized that I have some of the sweetest kids around. Hunter even at 8 still wants Mommy to lay with him while he drifts off to sleep. If I try to leave to early he quitely asks "me to stay".

Olivia and I sang a variety of songs before she felt Daddy would do better in getting her to sleep. In her sweet little voice I am pretty sure she made up half of what she sang but it was still so precious. When I would sing she would rock her head and ask me "did you learn that at friends?". "Friends" is what she refers to as her preschool buddies.

One of these days unfortunately not so far in the future my kids will no longer want me to sing to them, lay with them or "stay". They will be too old for Mommy at bedtime. I cherish these moments and want to hold onto them as long as I can.

Hunter's 2nd quarter grades

I am really proud of Hunter's progress in 3rd grade this year. I am not sure what it is, maturity level, comprehension as the tasks given him or what but he has blossomed this year not only in his studies but his behavior. He continues to get his reading scores up which I know have been a challenge for him. I can't wait to see what progress he makes in 3rd quarter. I can't even believe 1/2 this school year is over. We will have to think of lots of fun things to do this summer.

Olivia the Nintendo Queen

I am observing just how smart Olivia is at 3. She has learned to play one of Hunter's Nintendo DS players. Now, while she can only really play Mario Kart or any racing game for that fact as it is easier just to push the A button all the time, I find it pretty impressive she is able to do that.

The Beginning

Well, I thought this would be a great way to not only write down my thoughts of the day but capture what life is like in the Svoboda Household as a Mommy to 2 wonderful children. Hunter is 8 1/2 and Olivia is 3. Does not seem possible by sweet angels are growing so fast. Time keeps marching on whether your ready or not. Time to savor it!