Random Week

Bouncing back from celebrating Easter has proven to be a bit difficult for me. 

We had Easter Monday off from school, for some reason I kept thinking the kids had school. Stella did have track practice that afternoon and I helped with the long distance group. P came and had one of his besties (Tommy) to play with. It worked out well. I plan to help with practice a couple of times a week, so either P will be coming with us, or gaining some independence at home. Which makes me so thankful that we have the neighbors we do, I know we all feel that way. It really does "Take a Village."

 

After track they were dying to use the GC Nana and Papa gave them for Easter at DQ!

Tuesday found me headed to KC with a great group of friends to celebrate my dear friend Molly's 40th bday! She the kindest person you will ever met. Her hubby got a hotel room for us girls , next to an Outlet mall for her bday! So fun!

Backing up a bit. The Sat before Easter 2 police officers were killed in a head on collision with a driver headed the wrong way down the interstate. It's been a big news story here and absolutely heart wrenching. The first funeral was at Luthern Church of Hope, across the street from our church/school. Our student body lined the street to pay their respects. Mike texted me this pic from footage that was on the news. 

I felt like I was consumed with what was going on back home, but was nice to focus on Molly! Our group that traveled to KC! I look like a total dork. 

We got back early TH afternoon. Our kids were out early due to the 2nd police officer who was killed having his visitation at our church that evening. The funeral was at our church on Fri, school was cancelled. I don't really know how to describe the impact this had on our community/church/school. Every Teacher, parisoner,friend I've ran into  the past couple of days we all feel the same sadness, but in that a sense of community. It's been a hard week for central Iowa. 

Since the kids were off school on Fri, I wanted to take them to the processional of the second officer. It was so amazing, full of sadness.......but also full of pride. Our law enforcement does not normally receive the respect they earn. The turn out of police officers for this funeral will be nothing I will forget. 

It was very cold and windy, but we were proud to stand along the procession with our hands on our hearts. These pics do zero justice, I bet there were close to 300 police cars. 

Ok. What a Debbie Downer post! This should be its own post, but I'm lazy. On a whim we hosted Stella's 11th bday party! 5 days ago I was talking to Stella and kinda mentioned maybe we were done with bday parties. Well, as you can imagine that went over like wet balloon. So I quickly sent out an evite and as kids were being dropped off yesterday I was typing up and printing clues to our totally last minute entertainment "the Amazing Race" course. 

Opening gifts is always a highlight!

First leg of The Amazing Race. Find your partners shoes and you have to put them on your partner and tie them without any help. Funny to see that some teams sailed through challenges, whiles some struggles. At each "Pit Stop" there was always a new team in 1st place. 

The Amazing Race was SO MUCH fun! I'm planning on doing it for one of P's party. We don't even watch the show, but when I Googled "tween birthday party" that was the top hit. The big downer was the last challenge: lead you blindfolded partner to a glow bracelet  hanging on a tree. First one back to the mat wins. Looooooong story short, Stella was the blindfolded one. Her partner was watching another team, TOTALLY NOT paying attention to S and Stella SLAMMED into a tree (they were full on speed sprinting) It was awfu! It definitely was not the other girls fault, and as bad as this sounds, if someone was going to be hurt badly on my watch, I'd rather it be my kid. She bounced back pretty quick (still very sore today) in time enjoy her "cake". 

Great group of girls! 2 sets of twins in this pic! And a distance relative. 

Winding down the night to a movie. Another sleepover bday party in the books! 

And finally tonight is super low key after getting home from church. Chilling with the cutest (biggest) kitty!