Basketball, Ninja and the start of Spring!

Apparently we've been crazy busy over here because it's been quite a while since my last post! Oops!

It's safe to say we are READY for warm weather! We had a 70 degree Saturday this past weekend and it was so nice ....but such a tease since it is 35 and rainy today!   

I can always count on this kid for a random selfie found on my phone

The Chiefs didn't make it to the Super Bowl, but we didn't care; we still got a cookie cake with our team on it! 

Valentine's Day was a great day! These 3 are beyond spoiled by their grandparents.....Cookies and a gift bag from Papa & Teresa, Dairy Queen gift cards from Gammy and Cupcakes from Nana!! They have loved it all!!

Johnny got in the car after school one afternoon, smiled a great big toothless smile and said "mom, I lost a tooth at school today!" He was SOOO proud! 

2 Hour delay for snow means the big kids get to ride along with mom and dad to get yearly blood work done. We picked up Starbucks as a special treat and even saw two bald eagles in a flooded area.....was so cool! Johnny even dressed up like dad while we waited in car line. 

One of his favorite spots while I prep meals. 

The Okos crew got a puppy and we couldn't wait to get our hands on her! This is Millie!! We love her so much and are so excited she gets to come stay at our house over spring break. 

Mardi Gras = time for King Cake! Our Louisiana native friends have gotten us hooked on this tradition and "hooked us up" again this year with a King Cake straight from Shreveport! One of our absolute all-time favorite desserts! Johnny got the baby this year! 

Charlie was mad at me :)

Most of our Saturdays the past several weeks have been spent at the basketball court....Mellany and Charlie both played but in-between, we all get to play/practice. Hands down has been one of my favorite parts of basketball season this year. So much fun to be in a gym with my crew. 

I have resurrected my circa 1990s hair waver and Mellany is in heaven!! Gosh she looks so much older! 

After 8 years of living in West Lafayette, we finally made it to a Purdue athletic event! We attended a Women's basketball game and had so much fun. It was a great game (we lost by 1), Mellany loved watching the dance team and the boys most enjoyed the snacks. :) Definitely something we will be doing again in the future. 

"Ww" week for Charlie means "Wacky Wednesday!" He was so excited!!

Johnny is continuing to enjoy Ninja class and is getting better each week!

My early morning workouts have given me the best sunrises! 

Charlie making his own breakfast: toast in the toaster oven.

This past Saturday was our last Saturday for basketball. Both Mellany & Charlie have learned so much and developed their skills a ton! They both loved it! 

We had such a beautiful weekend that our neighbors "opened up" their fire pit for hot dogs and s'mores......we stayed up way too late but had the best time sitting around the fire catching up with neighbors! We cannot wait for MANY more nights like this during the summer! 

The Eternal January....

In typical January fashion, it's been a really long one and I'm pretty happy (and hopeful) to see February! All 3 kids had activities that kicked off right after the first of the year and that was going well.....but then John, Charlie and I got covid and we were down for about two weeks. John made a trip to KC the last weekend of January to say goodbye to an uncle who passed, then we got about 10 inches of snow and were snowed in for 4 days. 

Thankfully, we have all recovered and are feeling much better! Even with everything that's happened over the past few weeks, I still managed to capture a few things....

Our girl loves a good selfie :)

Johnny is totally in his element in ninja class

I woke up really not feeling well one Saturday morning....chills, aches, headache. After taking my temp and realizing I had a 101 fever, we decided I should probably take a covid test. Sure enough, positive! The worst part was that John and I had plans to see Alabama in concert in Indianapolis that night with some friends. I'm still upset about missing it! 

...Winston got pretty concerned with me staying in my room for several days..

After John tested positive, the kids then had to quarantine from school since they hadn't isolated from him. They had only been isolating from me. (Charlie tested positive the day after John after reaching a 102 fever.) 

The kids did such a great job powering through their school work for 4 days and Winston was here for moral support for his buddy! 

Charlie stealing my phone for a selfie while I ran back into the house to grab something we forgot

Getting ready for school and these two realized they dressed alike

Charlie was the helper of the day. One of his previous teachers snapped some pics for me of him sharing his show and tell...he was so excited and proud.

A little bit of snow and a couple of deer friends

Movie night buddy

When daddy is gone, this girl steals his spot

We sure do love our pup!

The weatherman predicted 12+ inches of snow and he was pretty much right this time. I don't have an official count but it was definitely right around 10-12+ inches. The kids loved it (once it stopped blowing) even though Charlie wasn't a huge fan of walking in it because it came up to his knees and was hard for him to move through. 

Charlie's snow day preference :) 

Charlie's second choice of snow day activities

And this is when I say it is time for the weather to warm up....when the boys start wrestling on the couch..... :)